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Physical Therapy at Connecticut Orthopaedics: What to Expect
If your physician has referred you to physical therapy, you may be wondering what to expect, especially if it’s your first time or it has been a while since your last visit. At Connecticut Orthopaedics, our goal is to make your experience as comfortable and productive as possible. Here is what you can anticipate when you begin physical therapy with us.
What Is Physical Therapy?
According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), physical therapy is “treatment provided by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant that helps people improve their movement and physical function, manage pain and other chronic conditions, and recover from and prevent injury and chronic disease.”
At Connecticut Orthopaedics, our licensed physical therapists and team members are here to help you regain strength, restore mobility, and return to the activities you love.
Who You’ll Meet at Physical Therapy
Front Desk Staff
Our front desk team will welcome you, check you in, and assist with any required paperwork or insurance information. They’ll also help schedule your appointments to best fit your needs.
Physical Therapists (PTs)
Your physical therapist will complete your initial evaluation and guide your care plan. They’ll perform assessments, lead your treatment sessions, and monitor your progress throughout your recovery.
Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs)
PTAs work closely with your physical therapist to help carry out your treatment plan once your initial evaluation is complete.
Physical Therapy Aides
Our aides support PTs and PTAs with patient care and clinic operations, from preparing equipment and treatment areas to assisting with exercises and modalities like heat or cold packs. Many physical therapy aides are pursuing healthcare careers in PT and bring a strong understanding of the patient experience.
Your Initial Physical Therapy Visit: Evaluation
During your first appointment, your physical therapist will spend time getting to know you and understanding your goals.
History of Condition
If you’re being treated by a Connecticut Orthopaedics physician, your therapist already has access to their notes to ensure a coordinated approach to your care. Hearing your story firsthand, however, helps us gain a full picture of your injury, symptoms, and experience. We’ll discuss when your pain or injury began, how it occurred, what treatments you’ve already tried, and how you’ve been managing your symptoms.
Current and Prior Function
We’ll ask about your daily activities and the movements you find challenging like climbing stairs to playing your favorite sport. We’ll also discuss your prior activity level to tailor your therapy program to your specific needs and goals.
Home and Work Environment
Understanding your living and working situation helps us anticipate challenges and design a program that supports your lifestyle. For instance, we will want to know if you live alone, have stairs at home, or perform physical work duties such as lifting or standing for long periods.
Medical History and Pain Levels
We’ll review your medical background, medications, and any previous injuries to ensure your treatment plan is safe and effective. You’ll describe your pain and its intensity, location, and what makes it better or worse to help us track your progress accurately.
Measurements and Assessment
Your therapist will evaluate your range of motion (ROM) and strength of the affected body area, always working within your limitations. This includes evaluating your active range of motion (AROM – how much you can move the area in a certain direction yourself), passive range of motion (PROM – how much we can move the joint in a certain direction with you relaxed) and strength testing (how much you can move the area against gravity or in a gravity eliminated position, and/or applying manual resistance to determine how much you can resist against our push). Our top priority is your safety and comfort during this process, especially navigating recent surgeries that you may have had.
Once your evaluation is complete, your PT will review the findings, explain your condition, and discuss what to expect in your upcoming physical therapy treatment. They will also provide suggestions on steps to recovery such as precautions, body mechanics, and surgical protocols if applicable.
Follow-Up Visits at Physical Therapy
At your second appointment, you’ll begin your full treatment sessions. You will start with a warmup which can include a moist heat pack if you have recently had surgery or an injury, or light activity on equipment such as a bike or treadmill. After the warmup, you will complete manual therapy techniques and exercises designed to restore strength and mobility. Your program will evolve as you recover, and your home exercises will be updated regularly.
Your Home Exercise Program
Your recovery extends beyond your clinic visits. Your therapist will provide a customized home exercise program to help you maintain progress between sessions. You’ll receive printed instructions, demonstrations if needed, and access to our smartphone app with video demonstrations you can watch at home.
Reassessments at Physical Therapy
Throughout your physical therapy treatment, your progress is continuously monitored. Formal reassessments will occur periodically when needed. Reassessments can take place when there’s a significant change in your condition, when insurance authorization is needed, or after a lapse in care. We will ask about your pain, difficulties you still encounter throughout your day, what you’re doing better with, and how you feel you are doing overall. These reviews help ensure your treatment plan remains effective and appropriate.
Discharge Planning from Physical Therapy
You and your PT and PTA will discuss when it’s appropriate to complete formal physical therapy. This can happen when your goals have been met, your doctor recommends discontinuation, you feel confident continuing the exercises on your own at home, or if you have maximized your health insurance benefits. Before discharge, we’ll take final measurements, review your progress, and provide an updated home exercise plan so you can maintain your results.
Coordinated Care, Shared Goals
Because our physical therapists and physicians share the same medical record system, your care is fully coordinated across our team. We communicate regularly to ensure you receive consistent, informed, and high-quality treatment every step of the way.
At Connecticut Orthopaedics, our goal is to guide you confidently through your recovery. It is our commitment to ease your concerns, answer your questions, and help you get back to what moves you.
Two student athletes – Abby Crowder (North Haven HS) and Michael Loomis (Branford) – are the recipients of the 2025 Southern Connecticut Conference “Comeback Player of the Year” awards. Both students suffered severe injuries yet were able to overcome them to become outstanding role models in their respective schools.
A long-time corporate sponsor of the SCC, Connecticut Orthopaedics offered a Comeback Player of the Year Scholarship for student-athletes who participated in an interscholastic sport during the 2024-2025 academic year and showed great leadership both on and off the field after their injury. Coaches and school’s athletic directors nominated these student-athletes after they each suffered an unfortunate injury that prohibited them from playing for their high school teams. Both will receive a financial scholarship to be used for their college education.
“This is our 15th year awarding student-athletes from the SCC with scholarships,” said Susan Bader, CEO of Connecticut Orthopaedics. “Our goal is to acknowledge student-athletes who have overcome the challenges of an injury and, through hard work and determination, become positive role models for their fellow teammates. As sports medicine specialists, we understand intimately what it takes to recover from an injury and return to playing sports at a high level.”
“Many thanks to the doctors and staff at Connecticut Orthopaedics for their support of the SCC and these scholarships,” explained SCC Commissioner Al Carbone. “Our league has many outstanding student-athletes who excel in the classroom and on the playing fields; but it is a tremendous gesture to recognize traits like courage, perseverance and selflessness.”
2024-25 SCC/Connecticut Orthopaedics Comeback Players of the Year
ABBY CROWDER, NORTH HAVEN (cheerleading)
A captain for the Nighthawks’ competitive cheerleading squad, Abby suffered a few injuries (concussion, sprained wrist, severe foot bruises and broken hand) that prohibited her from competing.
Despite the unexpected injuries, she showed leadership and positive perseverance to return to the team and help the team to the overall state title.
An outstanding student and leader, Abby will attend Quinnipiac University in the fall and major in health sciences.
MICHAEL LOOMIS, BRANFORD (ice hockey, golf)
A four-year varsity letterwinner for Branford ice hockey team, and a two-year standout on the golf course, Michael suffered an ACL knee injury early in his scholastic career. Through his hard work and dedication, he returned to the ice. A co-captain during his senior season, Michael led the Hornets in scoring on the way to him earning All-SCC and All-State accolades.
An outstanding student who was a member of the National Honor Society, Michael will attend Fairfield University and major in business management.
ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT CONFERENCE
The 2024-25 academic year marks the 31st year of existence for the Southern Connecticut Conference. The SCC is comprised of 23 high schools with more than 23,000 students representing 16 communities. Recognized as one of the best athletic conferences in the state, the SCC also has a great tradition of offering first-rate non-athletic programs and events that enrich the overall high school experience of our young people to help them become responsible students, athletes and citizens. For more information on the SCC, visit https://link.edgepilot.com/s/a9460b93/UCEiqvj6v0SuD_MHwHaNIw?u=http://www.southernconnecticutconference.org/
ABOUT CONNECTICUT ORTHOPAEDICS
Connecticut Orthopaedics is a premier team of orthopaedic doctors, surgeons and health care professionals who provide compassionate and innovative care to keep you moving forward with life. With over 60 doctors serving 20 locations, including 8 Urgent Care | Walk-In centers, three orthopaedic-only Surgical Centers and 12 state-of-the-art Sports Therapy | Rehab locations, we make it convenient for you to get the orthopaedic care you need, close to where you live. There’s simply no other Connecticut practice that offers the convenience, personalized care and comprehensive experience that you’ll find with Connecticut Orthopaedics. From your first visit, to diagnosing your injury, to treatment and rehabilitation, we offer end-to-end orthopaedic services designed to accommodate your every need. To learn more, visit ct-ortho.com
Connecticut Orthopaedics is excited to welcome foot and ankle specialist John F. Dankert, M.D., Ph.D.! Dr. Dankert is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon who brings exceptional expertise in foot and ankle care, with a particular focus on total ankle replacement, trauma, reconstruction, and sports medicine.
Dr. Dankert is committed to partnering with each patient to develop personalized, evidence-based treatment plans, whether that means non-operative care or surgical intervention. His goal is to help you safely and confidently return to your active lifestyle.
Dr. Dankert earned both his M.D. and Ph.D. before completing his orthopaedic surgery residency at NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital. He went on to complete fellowship training in advanced foot and ankle surgery at Duke University, working alongside leaders in the field.
With over 40 peer-reviewed publications and extensive research experience, Dr. Dankert is passionate about advancing orthopaedic care through innovation and clinical excellence.
Please join us in giving Dr. Dankert a warm welcome to Connecticut Orthopaedics, we’re excited for the expertise and compassionate care he brings to our community!
Dr. Dankert is currently accepting new patients at the following locations:
Connecticut Orthopaedics is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Frawley as our new Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Brian will be responsible for leading operational strategy, optimizing performance, and upholding the highest standards of patient care and organizational excellence.
Brian brings a deep and diverse background in healthcare leadership, having served in executive roles across prominent medical groups, health systems, and academic centers. Most recently, he led strategy and operations for Hartford HealthCare Medical Group in the Fairfield region, where he played a key role in expanding their urgent care services. Prior to that, he served as Chief Operating Officer at ProHealth Physicians, a statewide medical group with over 300 providers and part of Optum Health. Brian holds a BA from Boston College and an MBA from the University of Cincinnati.
“We are delighted to welcome Brian to our team,” said Susan Bader, Chief Executive Officer of Connecticut Orthopaedics. “His extensive experience in healthcare management, along with his commitment to patient-focused care, aligns seamlessly with our mission to provide quality orthopedic services to our communities.”
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Brian Frawley as he begins this new chapter with Connecticut Orthopaedics!
Although MRI exams are painless and safer than an X-ray—MRI scans don’t emit radiation—they can make even the most calm, steady person a little nervous. We are here to help put your mind at ease and calm those jitters. We share exactly what to expect before, during and after your MRI scan, so you have a comfortable and pleasant experience.
First things first …
If this is your first time getting an MRI exam, don’t worry, you’ll be in good company. Nearly 40 million MRI scans are performed in the U.S. each year. Unlike other forms of imaging, MRI scans allow your doctor to see both bony and soft tissue within your body to help get a better idea of what is going on.
Did you know there are several different types of MRI scanners, as well? While you are most familiar with the donut-shaped MRI (formerly known as traditional) machine, today there are several options. You probably aren’t aware, but not every radiology facility offers each type of MRI scanner. We Offer:
- Traditional MRI: A traditional MRI machine is a large tube, roughly 23.5 inches in diameter that a patient lays in.
- Wide Bore MRI: Essentially this is the same as the traditional MRI machine, but it is a little wider—roughly 27.5 inches. The wide bore is ideal for larger patients and those who are have difficulty in tight spaces.
What to expect before the MRI
Before you schedule your MRI appointment, tell your doctor if you have difficulty with small spaces, so they can make special accommodations if necessary. They may prescribe you an oral medication to help reduce your anxiety or send you to an imaging facility that provides IV sedation.
When scheduling your MRI, staff will ask a series of personal, medical screening questions to ensure we can safely schedule you for your scan.
What to expect the day of the MRI
Unless otherwise instructed, on the morning of your scan you will be able to run your morning routine as you normally would – eating breakfast and taking your usual medication.
When you arrive at the imaging center, staff will review the same screening questions, such as recent surgeries and medical history, to ensure your safety.
While everyone’s experience will be different, here are some other things to note:
- Arrive early. This will give you time to complete any additional screening and any other prep that might be necessary. The imaging center will usually give you a timeframe for you to arrive to allot for this.
- Change clothes. As mentioned earlier, you’ll be required to completely change clothes, remove any metal items, such as jewelry, glasses, hairpins as these could alter the the effectiveness of the scan and pose a risk to your personal safety. The office will provide you a gown or scrubs to wear during the exam and a secure place to store your belongings.
- Secure a ride home. If you plan to take medication or a sedative, plan ahead of time by having someone either come with you or ask someone to pick you up once the procedure is complete.
What to expect during the exam
The first thing you should know during your exam is that your safety is most important to us. Your technologist will thoroughly screen you for MRI safety, and provide you with special instructions, blankets, ear plugs and a special button or tool to communicate with them throughout the exam.
Depending on what needs to be scanned, your test will take between 20 to 45 minutes.
Here are some things to expect during the exam:
- Padded table. The imaging technologist will have you lie down on a padded table that slides into the tunnel of the bore (tunnel) where the scanning will take place.
- Call button. Your technologist will give you a call button to alert them if something is wrong.
- Thumping noises. At certain times you’ll hear noises caused by the changing magnetic fields. The clunk, clunk, clunk and buzz sound can be a little stressful for some but shouldn’t be cause for concern. You’ll be given ear plugs or a sound canceling headset and can listen to music to help drown out some of the noise.
- Remain still. The key to succeeding in an MRI exam is to remain as relaxed as possible. Try to keep your body still and let your mind wander. Your technologist may give you special instructions to hold your breath if needed.
What to expect after the MRI
Once your MRI scan is complete, you can resume your daily activities. You’ll be escorted back to the changing area to change and to retrieve your belongings.
If your doctor gave you any medication or sedation, DO NOT attempt to drive yourself home. Make sure you have someone who can get you home.
Results
Results are typically discussed with you at your follow-up visit with your ordering provider.
Takeaway
Although intimidating machines to look at, an MRI exam is nothing to be nervous about. These exams are critical tools used to give your doctor a clearer picture of what is going on inside your body and how to best provide you care.
HAMDEN, Conn. — Quinnipiac University Athletics and Connecticut Orthopaedics partnered for the 2nd year in a row to benefit the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center (CCMC) on Friday, Dec. 6th during the Bobcats’ men’s ice hockey contest against RPI.
The teddy bear toss took place during the game’s second intermission, and all being donated to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
Fans and employees were encouraged to bring new or recently purchased teddy bears to be thrown on to the M&T Bank Arena ice. They also had the chance to purchase a teddy to toss at the game with proceeds being donated to CCMC.
“We were delighted to sponsor this heart-warming initiative for a second year in a row and provide an opportunity in a fun way to collect teddy bears for sick children and bring a bit of joy when they may not be feeling their best, especially right before the holidays.” Susan Bader, Connecticut Orthopaedics Chief Executive Officer said. ” We started this initiative in 2023 for two of our treasured colleagues whose son continues to bravely battle Leukemia. Our hearts and best wishes go out to all families facing the difficult journey of caring for a sick child.”
The teddy bear toss collected XXX bears and raised over $1,500 for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
We are excited to announce another milestone in the evolution of medical education provided by Connecticut Orthopedics: the successful completion of its first annual orthopaedic training component of the new Rural Family Medicine Residency Program (RFMRP) of the Quinnipiac University-Netter School of Medicine. Launched in July 2024, the RFMRP represents Netter’s first family medicine residency program, with its mission in place to train medical school graduates to become family physicians with the skills necessary to thrive in rural healthcare settings. These residents spent the months of July through October learning orthopaedics and sports medicine in our offices.
Bridging Gaps in Orthopaedic Care
Rural areas often face specific healthcare challenges when it comes to providing easily available access to specialty care, and this is certainly true in the field of orthopaedics. With this in mind, and recognizing the need for their future family physicians to be comfortable with the delivery of first-line orthopaedic care for their patients, Dr. Traci Marquis, Program Director, and Dr. Stephanie Morton, Associate Program Director – reached out to Dr. Kenneth Kramer, our Director of Medical Education at Connecticut Orthopaedics who has been overseeing a comprehensive program of medical student orthopaedic education provided by our CO physicians to the Netter school in recent years. Working with Drs. Marquis and Morton, Dr. Kramer developed and supervised an orthopaedic educational program for the Netter residents, drawing upon the breadth of our capable physicians to provide them with a comprehensive exposure to outpatient orthopaedics.
Running from July through October, the curriculum saw each of the four family medicine residents spend a full immersive month at Connecticut Orthopaedics. Their schedule included daily rotations in our offices where they gained hands-on exposure to patient care in our various subspecialties, in addition to receiving didactic lectures given by our physicians. Says Dr. Kramer, “Sixteen of our partners graciously gave of their time, talent and knowledge in educating the Netter residents in the various fields of orthopaedics that will serve them well in their futures. It was enthusiastically received by both the residents and their dedicated faculty, and we look forward to our continued participation as an important component of the Netter RFMRP.”
A Collaborative Educational and Societal Effort
“This inaugural clinical partnership between CO and the QU RFMRP is more than just a curriculum”, continues Dr. Kramer, “it’s a commitment by CO to the educational needs of physicians-in-training and the communities which they will serve, as well as to the needs of such a fine medical institution as the QU-Netter School of Medicine and its students, residents, and forward-thinking faculty.” Says Dr. Marquis, “The QU Rural Family Medicine Program leadership and residents are incredibly grateful for this partnership with Connecticut Orthopaedics. A strong set of orthopaedic knowledge and skills will play a fundamental role in the residents’ future practice as community primary care doctors, and will help us fulfill our mission of increasing access to care for all, especially in rural areas.”