2026 Study Skills and the Physical Therapy Profession Practice Exam - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

Musculoskeletal health and movement are the central focus. Orthopedic physical therapy concentrates on bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, and how injuries or conditions affect movement. It covers fractures, arthritis, tendon or ligament injuries, postoperative rehab, back and neck pain, and sports injuries, with goals to restore range of motion, strength, alignment, and function, and to reduce pain. Treatments typically include therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, gait and posture retraining, and patient education. This differs from neurologic PT, which centers on the nervous system; cardiopulmonary PT, which targets heart and lung endurance; and integumentary PT, which focuses on skin and tissue healing.