Balance Physical Therapy

What is the difference between orthopedic technology and physical therapy?

I have been trying to look up schools in my area for physical therapy. A lot of the time my results will pop up with orthopedic technology. Aren't these two different things? What are the differences between the two?

Public Comments

1. i dont know really, probably similar but have differences. or maybe that is another name for it? good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. Much different. An orthopedic technologist performs tasks as directed by an orthopedic surgeon...removing casts, preparing for the set up of and adjusting braces, assisting the surgeon with some in office or bedside tasks. It's a technical certification as opposed to a degree. The physical therapy degree is a 6-7 year degree resulting in either a master's or doctorate level degree that allows one to evaluate and treat patients with functional impairments with a variety of tools: exercise, mobilization, education, manual therapy, etc. I'm not sure why orthopedic techology is is popping up when you search for PT schools. It's probably a bad tag by the Ortho tech schools. If you want a complete list of PT schools in the US, you can go to www.apta.org and go to the link at the right hand side of the page that takes you to the list of all accredited PT schools.