Meet an MVP: Steve Tippett

Steve Tippett - Department of Physical Therapy and Health Science Bradley University - Chair

I am finishing my second year as Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy and Health Science at Bradley. Although administrative duties and teaching take up the vast majority of my time at work, I still evaluate and treat athletes in the Bradley University Athletic Department, Bradley students in the Student Health Center, as well as ambulatory musculoskeletal patients at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center's Illinois Neurological Institute out-patient center.

Shuttle: We have a product that improves proprioceptive abilities and I see that you have a research interest in "Balance After Total Joint Replacement". Can you share with us some of your key insights on this subject? Maybe what really intrigues you about this topic?

Tippett: 

Probably the most enlightening comment relative to this area came from a PT colleague who had simultaneous bilateral TKA’s a few years ago. He had severe DJD but right up to surgery he was quite active in coaching soccer, his overall conditioning was good and his upper body strength was excellent. After his surgery and during a PT session he was told by his PT to “stand up straight!” He thought he was standing up straight but he couldn’t tell due to the surgical procedure removing both cruciates. Although studies have been done to demonstrate proprioceptive deficits following TKA, some patients return to high levels of function while others are hesitant. Certainly there are other factors involved, but the notion of trust in the knee following TKA may have a lot to do with joint awareness (or the lack thereof).

Shuttle: Who, in your opinion, is doing some of the most interesting work on this subject?

Tippett: 

I think we need to do a better job of educating our patients about what they can realistically expect after TKA and this is an area that is gaining more popularity. As a consultant in a study with DePuy Medical, we were able to follow 93 patients after TKA through formal PT for six weeks post-op as well as ongoing data collection at six months and one year. Pre-operatively we asked the patients to rate the importance of various daily functional activities, and post-operatively we noted significant discrepancies between pre-op expectations and post-op function in a handful of variables. Although pain is typically decreased following TKA many patients did not trust their knee. Proprioception may play a role in this and I look forward to continue study in this area.

Shuttle: As a professor of Physical Therapy, head of the department at Bradley, and member of the APTA Education section - if you were president and had to give your "State of the Profession" speech - what would you say?

Tippett:

We can never forget who we are and how we got here. In the early days of sports PT we enjoyed a tremendous working relationship with orthopaedic surgeons as we learned from them and as they learned from us. Although we have worked side by side with them (as well as other types of physicians) to advance the care of patients with multiple dysfunctions and disabilities, somewhere and somehow our profession is not what it used to be in their eyes. I would venture to say that is it not due to professional stagnation on our part, but a different perspective that others may have. We cannot worry about what others think. We need to continue our efforts to take the profession to the next level as we have done by leading the way in evidence-based practice, by advocating for our patients, and by making physical therapy a vital part in the recovery of all types of patients. But we are physical therapists, not physical therapy. We cannot be defined by the practice of ‘physical therapy’ as some outside of our profession feel. We are professionals trained at the doctorate level in a unique profession that positions us to be the expert in assessing and treating movement impairments.

Shuttle: What's the one piece of advice that you give students coming out of your physical therapy program?

Tippett: 

Formal education is only the first step. We have to continue to learn everyday; when learning stops, personal and professional growth is impossible.

Shuttle: In another life - if you weren't a physical therapist, what would you be?

Tippett: 

A bass guitarist for Van Morrison.

Shuttle: One more.... what Shuttle machines do you have and how are you using them? Any tips or suggestions on how to maximize their use?

Tippett: 

The 2001 and the MVP. Nothing better to transition the patient back to weight bearing function!!