PT Snacks Podcast: Physical Therapy with Dr. Kasey Hankins

Episodes

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  187. Rotator Cuff Repair Post-Op Overview 20.10.2026 14m

  Send us Fan Mail This PT Snacks podcast episode explains what is healing after a rotator cuff repair and why post-op rehab protocols follow specific tissue-healing timelines, with tips for improving patient compliance. It reviews common arthroscopic repair steps, typical rehab phases, and where some variations can come from. 00:00 Rotator Cuff Rehab Overview 00:26 Podcast Intro and Disclaimers 01:58 What Actually Heals 02:15 How the Repair Is Done 04:15 Why Protocol Phases Exist 05:12 E...
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  186. Cauda Equina - More Than Just the Syndrome 06.10.2026 11m

  Send us Fan Mail We learn about the development of the spinal cord, but sometimes forget how that applies to different nerve presentations, especially when it comes to the cauda equina. We discuss how this region can present (not just cauda equina syndrome) and how it can help us pinpoint where a source of a problem can be when patients seem to have nerve symptoms all over the place. 00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup 01:18 Where the Spinal Cord Ends 02:13 Conus Medullaris and Cauda Equina 04:04 ...
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  185. Why You Need to Be Amazing at Reflex Testing 22.09.2026 14m

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we give a focused overview of deep tendon reflexes as a quick, high-value tool in the physical therapy objective exam, especially when patient reports are unclear. Reflex changes give us crucial insight on neurologic function and why identifying hyporeflexia/areflexia versus hyperreflexia matters. The episode breaks down the stretch reflex arc and how descending upper motor neuron inhibition differentiates lower motor neuron findings from upper motor neuron s...
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  184. Achilles Tendinopathy: Distinguishing Midportion and Insertional 01.09.2026 16m

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we discuss how to differentiate Achilles mid-portion tendinopathy from insertional tendinopathy and why the distinction changes rehab. Depending on the patient, some tendon-loading exercises can actually have a negative impact on insertional tendinopathy cases, so being able to differentiate these can help to improve your success with your patients. 00:00 Welcome to PT Snacks 00:19 Episode Focus and Disclaimer 01:08 Achilles Basics and Tendinopathy Terms 03:0...
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  183. The “Vital Sign” You’re Probably Not Testing (But Should) 18.08.2026 13m

  Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, we discuss what VO2 max is, why it matters for physical therapists, and how it predicts cardiovascular risk and all-cause mortality. Join us as we discuss different protocols utilized in research, considerations for different populations, and how we can help our clients successfully hit their target goals. 00:00 VO2 Max Explained 01:28 Why It Matters 02:50 Physiology Behind Gains 03:58 Training Intensity Basics 05:08 Protocols That Work 07:09 Choosin...
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  182. Osteoarthritis Isn’t Just “Wear & Tear”… So What Is It, Really? 04.08.2026 11m

  Send us Fan Mail OA is described as the most prevalent chronic joint disease worldwide, involving progressive degeneration of articular cartilage and sometimes subchondral bone, leading to pain, stiffness, and functional limitations. Rather than simple “wear and tear,” OA is a multifactorial whole-joint condition influenced by inflammatory, mechanical, and metabolic factors, with risk increased by age, obesity, mechanical stress, and joint trauma. The episode reviews how this happens, what ph...
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  181. Paratenonitis vs Tenosynovitis: How to Tell the Difference and Treat Each 14.07.2026 13m

  Send us Fan Mail Today, we are answering a listener question about the difference between paratenonitis and tenosynovitis. We'll cover the roles of each of these in the body, how they get agggravated, and what we do to treat them. 00:00 Welcome to PT Snacks 00:42 Fan Mail Questions 02:03 Episode Roadmap 02:36 Paratenon Basics 03:32 Synovial Sheath Function 04:46 Evaluation Differences 05:19 Paratenon Causes 06:47 Paratenon Treatment 07:55 Tenosynovitis Causes 08:19 Tenosynovitis Treatment 09...
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  180. Why Some Tendons Get Injured More Than Others: Load Mismatch, Tissue Quality, and Tendon Type 30.06.2026 13m

  Send us Fan Mail 🎉 MedBridge Days Sale is Here! MedBridge's Bridge Days sale runs June 15–30! Use code PTSNACKS15 for: $126 off an Individual Subscription → Get your discount15% off Group Subscriptions → Group pricingMedBridge is also celebrating their 15-year anniversary, with tons of CEU courses for PTs, OTs, and SLPs — plus built-in exam prep for OCS, SCS, and other specialty certifications. Don't wait — this offer is only live for two weeks! In this episode, Kasey breaks down the high-lev...
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  179. Rotator Cuff Tears 101: Partial vs. Full Thickness & What It Means for Your Patients 16.06.2026 23m

  Send us Fan Mail Not all rotator cuff tears are the same, and understanding why can completely change how you set expectations and build a plan with your patients. In this episode, we break down tendon anatomy and physiology, the different ways rotator cuff tears develop (degenerative vs. traumatic), the difference between partial- and full-thickness tears, and the factors that influence healing and prognosis for both conservative and surgical patients. In this episode you'll learn: What a te...
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  178. Dry Needling for Pain Relief: What We Think Is Happening (4 Key Mechanisms) 26.05.2026 10m

  Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this brief episode on dry needling and what current research suggests may explain its pain-relieving effects. The episode clarifies why it’s called “dry” needling (no medication injected) and emphasizes the importance of being able to explain why it may help patients. Dry needling is presented as working locally and systemically through four main mechanisms: local muscle and tissue effects, biomechanical and inflammatory biomarker changes, peripheral and spinal pai...
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  177. Baxter’s Nerve: The Overlooked Cause of Chronic Medial Heel Pain 12.05.2026 14m

  Send us Fan Mail In this PT Snacks episode, host Kasey introduces Baxter’s nerve (the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve, also called the inferior/anterior calcaneal nerve) as an under-recognized source of medial plantar heel pain that can mimic plantar fasciitis and may account for up to 20% of chronic heel pain. We review the nerve’s motor and sensory roles, common entrapment zones near the distal tarsal tunnel and medial calcaneal tuberosity, and typical presentation including burni...
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  176. PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament): Function, Injury Mechanisms, Assessment, and Rehab Priorities 28.04.2026 13m

  Send us Fan Mail In this PT Snacks episode, Kasey breaks down the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) for PTs and students, covering what it is, how it’s injured, and how we assess and manage it clinically. We review the PCL’s role, common mechanisms of injuries, plus what combined injuries may indicate. We also hit key exam findings and tests, imaging options, grading, and broad rehab principles focused on protecting against posterior shear, progressing quad strength, and using protocols thoug...
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  175. How Exercise Relieves Pain: 4 Pathways Every PT Should Know 14.04.2026 12m

  Send us Fan Mail This episode explains how exercise can act as pain relief, addressing common patient concerns about exercise hurting and offering an alternative or complement to medications and passive treatments. We outline four key pain-modulating mechanisms: central modulation at the brain and spinal cord, immune and inflammatory changes, peripheral tissue and nerve effects, and psychological/behavioral pathways. 00:00 Welcome to PT Snacks 00:57 Does Exercise Hurt? 03:08 Four Pain R...
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  174. Hip Dysplasia 31.03.2026 18m

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we defines hip dysplasia, review risk factors (female sex, breech birth, family history, etc), infant screening, adult presentation and functional testing, and outlines PT goals (pain-free motion, strengthening, activity modification) versus surgical consideration such as periacetabular osteotomy and its recovery expectations. 00:00 Welcome to PT Snacks 00:24 Podcast Schedule Update 01:50 Support the Show 02:12 Hip Dysplasia Explained 04:22 Who’s at Risk 06:...
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  173. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) Basics for PTs: hEDS, Pain, and Smarter Exercise Dosing 24.03.2026 8m

  Send us Fan Mail Kasey welcomes listeners to the PT Snacks podcast for physical therapists and students and introduces a brief episode on Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). Kasey highlights common patient issues such as joint pain, dislocations, tendinitis, and muscle cramps, and discusses how physical therapy can improve quality of life through resistance training, proprioception, balance, aerobic and functional conditioning, pain neuroscience, and graded exposure to reduce kinesiophobia. ...
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  172. Distal Biceps Tendon Rupture: Recognition, Assessment, and Treatment for PTs 17.03.2026 11m

  Send us Fan Mail Host Kasey introduces PT Snacks, a bite-size podcast for physical therapists and students, and covers distal biceps tendon ruptures. The episode reviews relevant anatomy, typical injury mechanism, classic symptoms, and common risk factors and patient profile. Kasey outlines key differentials, exam findings and tests, imaging options, and treatment pathways, emphasizing that timely recognition improves surgical outcomes. 00:00 Welcome to PT Snacks 00:18 Episode Overview 01:14 ...
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  171. Demystifying Urinary Incontinence for Ortho PTs: Differentiating Between 5 Types 10.03.2026 15m

  Send us Fan Mail In this PT Snacks episode, host Kasey introduces urinary incontinence for physical therapists and students, emphasizing its prevalence, quality-of-life impact, and the importance of reducing taboo. The episode defines urinary incontinence as involuntary urine leakage, reviews key anatomy and neural control, and explains five types: stress, urge, mixed, overflow, and functional incontinence. Kasey highlights distinguishing features, common associations, and prevalence examples...
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  170. Shoulder Pain Isn’t Always Musculoskeletal: Red Flags, Referral Clues, and Quick Screening Questions 03.03.2026 11m

  Send us Fan Mail In this PT Snacks episode, we walk through how to tell when “shoulder pain” might not actually be coming from the shoulder—and why that matters for safe, intentional screening in the clinic. We compare classic musculoskeletal patterns (pain tied to motion/loading and reproducible on exam) versus non-mechanical presentations like constant, poorly localized, deep/pressure-like pain that doesn’t change with movement and may come with systemic or autonomic symptoms. Also covered ...
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  169. FAI (Femoroacetabular Impingement) 24.02.2026 14m

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we break down femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) for PTs and students—what it is, how it shows up clinically, and how it’s typically diagnosed. We walk through cam, pincer, and mixed morphologies, quick assessment ideas (including FADIR/FABER and when imaging matters), and what PT treatment commonly focuses on. We also touch on when injections or surgery may come into play and key considerations for helping patients succeed with rehab. 00:00 Welcome to PT Sna...
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  168. Understanding Vertebral Basilar Insufficiency (VBI): Symptoms, Screening, and Management 17.02.2026 16m

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the PT Snacks Podcast, host Kasey delves into vertebra basilar insufficiency (VBI), a condition affecting the posterior cerebral circulation. Aimed at physical therapists and PT students, the episode explains the anatomy behind VBI, its symptoms, risk factors, and how to screen for it effectively. Kasey highlights the importance of understanding VBI’s implications, potential triggers, and the role of physical therapists in identifying and managing this cond...