To Cut or Not to Cut: Where Do We Stand With Surgery and MSK Conditions?
Presented by Phil Plisky and Alexis Wright

12-Month Subscription
Unlimited access to:
- Thousands of CE Courses
- Patient Education
- Home Exercise Program
- And more
Nonfinancial: Alexis Wright has no competing nonfinancial interests or relationships with regard to the content presented in this course.
Financial: Phil Plisky is an equity partner for Functional Movement Systems. He receives compensation from MedBridge for this course.
Nonfinancial: Phil Plisky has no competing nonfinancial interests or relationships with regard to the content presented in this course.
Rehab and Performance Lab Episode 5: To Cut or Not to Cut: Where Do We Stand With Surgery and MSK Conditions?
Join Phil Plisky and Alexis Wright in an insightful episode examining the latest research on surgical versus conservative treatments for musculoskeletal conditions. Lexie discusses the alarming increase in surgeries and emphasizes the critical role of top-notch rehabilitation as an initial treatment strategy. Tune in to understand the nuances of patient education, therapy efficacy, and practical approaches to guide clinical decisions.
Learning Objectives
- Interpret the evidence around outcomes regarding common surgical procedures
- Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address the decision-making process regarding conservative versus surgical care
- Solve patient case scenarios involving conservative versus surgical care decisions
Meet your instructors

Phil Plisky
Dr. Phil Plisky is a professor in the University of Evansville’s Doctor of Physical Therapy and PhD in Health Professions Education programs. He is the host of the Medbridge Rehab and Performance Lab podcast and founder of the Coaches Club at

Alexis Wright
Alexis A. Wright serves as professor and program director for the Tufts DPT Boston program. Wright has been invested in DPT education since 2011. She was recognized as a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists in 2011 and achieved APTA board-certified orthopedic specialization in 2015. Wright…
Chapters & learning objectives
More courses in this series

How Can We Create Effective Return-to-Running Protocols?
Todd Arnold and Phil Plisky

Disconnected Expectations: How Do You Manage ACL Return-to-Sport Timelines?
Kyle Matsel and Phil Plisky

How Do We Untangle the Evidence Around Shoulder Rehabilitation and Surgery?
Lenny Macrina and Phil Plisky

Unseen Forces: Do Contextual Factors Matter to Outcomes?
Elizabeth Lane and Phil Plisky

To Cut or Not to Cut: Where Do We Stand With Surgery and MSK Conditions?
Phil Plisky and Alexis Wright

How Can Identifying Your Patient’s Innate Mobility Change Their Outcomes?
Jenna Gourlay and Phil Plisky

Does Everyone Need Pain Neuroscience Education?
Adriaan Louw and Phil Plisky

Can Insights Into Manual Therapy Mechanisms Guide Clinical Practice?
Phil Plisky and Amy McDevitt

Do You Know the Top 5 Updates Orthopedic Rehab Providers Need to Know?
Phil Plisky and Eric Robertson

Are You Missing Out on the Latest Treatment for Overuse Injuries?
Phil Plisky and Katie Whetstone

Blood Flow Restriction: Is It a Game Changer for Rehab Professionals?
Johnny Owens and Phil Plisky

How to Get Better Results With Patients Who Have More Mobility
Jenna Gourlay and Phil Plisky