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Clinical Practice Guidelines

The American Physical Therapy Association supports evidence-based practice to reduce unwarranted variation in care and improve the value of physical therapist services.

APTA provides its members with relevant clinical practice guidelines, which are based on a systematic review of the evidence. APTA, APTA academies and sections, and other health care associations, organizations, and societies publish the CPGs. APTA does not endorse any of these guidelines unless specifically noted.

The guidelines assist in clinical decision-making, not to take the place of clinician judgment. A team of experts conducts a CPG+ analysis on some of the CPGs — a translation aid for applying the guidelines to practice, including Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II.

APTA supports the development of CPGs.

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APTA: Physical Therapist Management of Glenohumeral Joint Osteoarthritis Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG+)

April 28, 2023 | CPG

Patient Age: Adult (25-44), 80 and over (80+), Aged (65+), Middle Aged (45-64), Young Adult (19-24)
Condition & Symptoms: Osteoarthritis, Shoulder Conditions

Early and Locally Advanced Breast Cancer: Diagnosis and Management [NG101]

April 5, 2023 | CPG

Patient Age: Middle Aged (45-64), 80 and over (80+), Adult (25-44), Aged (65+), Young Adult (19-24)
Condition & Symptoms: Cancer, Lymphedema

Respiratory Management of Patients With Neuromuscular Weakness

March 13, 2023 | CPG

Patient Age: Young Adult (19-24), Adult (25-44), Middle Aged (45-64), Aged (65+), 80 and over (80+)
Condition & Symptoms: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Lung Conditions, Muscular Dystrophy, Respiratory Conditions, Myasthenia Gravis

APTA: Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy Exercise-Based Knee and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention [2023 Update]

January 21, 2023 | CPG

Patient Age: Adult (25-44), Aged (65+), 80 and over (80+), Middle Aged (45-64), Adolescent (13-18)
Condition & Symptoms: Knee Conditions

Hip Fracture: Management [NICE CG124]

January 6, 2023 | CPG

Patient Age: Adult (25-44)
Condition & Symptoms: Fractures, Hip Conditions

APTA: Cancer Related Fatigue Screening and Assessment Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG+)

January 4, 2023 | CPG

Patient Age: Condition & Symptoms: Cancer

APTA: Academy of Hand and Upper Extremity Physical Therapy and Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy: Lateral Elbow Pain and Muscle Function Impairments

December 1, 2022 | CPG

Patient Age: Young Adult (19-24), Adult (25-44), Middle Aged (45-64), Aged (65+)
Condition & Symptoms: Elbow Conditions

CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain – United States, 2022

November 4, 2022 | CPG

Patient Age: Aged (65+), 80 and over (80+), Young Adult (19-24), Middle Aged (45-64), Adult (25-44)
Condition & Symptoms: Chronic Pain

ESC/ERS 2022 Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension

October 7, 2022 | CPG

Patient Age: Middle Aged (45-64), Aged (65+)
Condition & Symptoms: Cardiac Conditions, Hypertension

Treatment Guideline for Foot and Ankle

October 1, 2022 | CPG

Patient Age: Adult (25-44), Young Adult (19-24), Middle Aged (45-64)
Condition & Symptoms: Foot Conditions, Occupational Injuries

The COPD-X Plan: Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for the Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 2020, Version 2.68

October 1, 2022 | CPG

Patient Age: 80 and over (80+), Middle Aged (45-64), Aged (65+)
Condition & Symptoms: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Management of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

August 22, 2022 | CPG

Patient Age: Adolescent (13-18), Young Adult (19-24), Child (6-12)
Condition & Symptoms: Knee Conditions