Terry De Freitas

Area of Study / Keywords

concussion adhesive capsulitis

About

I am an Associate Professor, within FOMD. I joined the Department of Family Medicine in Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry full time in 2015. Prior to that I offered in clinic teaching for medical students, family medicine learners and students in our pharmacy program. I completed a Bachelor of Nursing in 1986  at Dalhousie University , BSc Med, MD with hon in research in 1995, Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine Diploma 2002. 

I worked in busy rural family medicine practice for 17 years prior to becoming an academic physician. I had a full scope practice including in hospital care emergency department work,  labor and delivery, and out patient family medicine. I began an interest in sports medicine while in medical school and over time this became an increased part of my clinical work.

I have been very fortunate over the years, I have volunteered to care for elite athletes at major games, and I was part of  Canada's Olympic Committee medical support team for the Tokyo Olympics 2020, Beijing Olympics 2008 and the Pan American Games, Peru (2019) Mexico ( 2011) Brazil (2007). I also volunteered for VANOC 2010 medical support team covering free style skiing at Cypress Mountain

Current team physician appointments: Taekwondo Canada National team,  FC Edmonton professional soccer team , Edmonton Huskies Football

Chair of the Shoulder Expert group Alberta Bone and Joint Institute, Chair Team Physician Committee, Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine

Clinical Interests

Sport and Exercise Medicine topics including acute shoulder injuries, knee , foot and ankle injuries. Point of care ultrasound techniques for treatment of a variety of musculoskeletal conditions 

Concussion and persistent post concussion symptoms, detection and team based care of these conditions

Osteoarthritis care for adults interested in remaining active 

Research

Puri, R. De Freitas, T.L. Wesner, M., Boyko, B., Anstey, K. Markevych , O., Lebrun, C “Comprehensive Osteoarthritis Management Education and Treatment (COMET) Virtual Session: Evaluation of Patient Satisfaction and Self Management of Osteoarthritis. World OARSI Conference,  Vienna April 2024. Context: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) and Hip OA are chronic conditions that can be treated non-surgically. The University clinic offers a physician-led seminar “Comprehensive OA Management Education and Treatment” (COMET) delivered via virtual seminar intended to educate and empower patients with OA.

Kennedy,S. De Freitas, T.L. Puri,R., Lebrun, C.  “A Retrospective Study of Shoulder Hydrodilatation with immediate physical therapy for frozen shoulder. How effective is this team-based approach ? Accepted for Presentation CASEM Niagara Falls Ont. May 2024 To compare outcomes for patients with diagnosed with Frozen Shoulder (FS) who received Shoulder Hydrodilatation with Immediate Physiotherapy (SHIP) protocol to a group who received shoulder hydrodilatation + usual physiotherapy care (SHUC). We hypothesized that SHIP would lead to improved functional outcomes and pain scores at follow up when compared to SHUC patients.

Thompson-Dick,J.,  Boyd, A Mahmood, S.,Przyslupski, A.M., Morar, M., De Freitas, T.  Mrazik, M  Lebrun, C., “ Sex Differences in the Relationship between symptoms and recovery time for Concussion Patients” 7th IOC Conference on Prevention of Injury and Illness in Sport IOC Monaco Feb 2024.A retrospective chart review of patients who visited the Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic and were diagnosed with a concussion between January 2015 and June 2023 was performed. Information collected included age, sex, referral information, number of symptoms and symptom &severity as measured by the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT), therapy prescribed,and days from in jury to return to sport (RTS), school (RTL), or work (RTW).

De Freitas, T.L. , Lebrun, C., Clark, E., Hedayat, I., Markevych, O, Boyd, A.  CASEM Conference Banff March 2023 Does Ultrasound-Guided Shoulder Joint Hydrodilatation Followed by Immediate Physical Therapy (SHIP) Improve Outcomes in Patients with Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder? A PILOT Randomized Control trial. Purpose:To complete a pilot study comparing our novel frozen shoulder hydrodilatation + immediate physiotherapy (within 30 minutes; SHIP) protocol with a group of frozen shoulder patients who receive shoulder hydrodilatation + usual physiotherapy care (7-14 days post-injection; SHUC).HypothesisSHIP patients who receive immediate physiotherapy (within 30 minutes) following hydrodilatation of adhesive capsulitis will exhibit improved range of motion, reduced shoulder pain, and improved function with respect to activities of daily living, and return to work and or exercise, as compared to SHUC patients (hydrodilatation + usual physiotherapy care (7-14 days post-injection).

Whittaker, J.L., Chan, M., Pan, Bo, Hassan, I., DeFreitas, T., Hui, C.,  Macedo, L., Otto, D. Towards improving the identification of anterior cruciate ligament tears in primary point-of-care settings. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2020) 21:252 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-020-03237-x

DeFreitas, T.L., Przyslupski, A.M., Lebrun, C. Interdisciplinary Care of Shoulder Pain: Assessment of a Collaborative Model of Care. Submitted to Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association, March 2020

 De Freitas T.L, Przyslupski A-M., and C. Lebrun. Interdisciplinary Shoulder Pain Care: Assessment of a Novel Collaborative Model and Clinical Process Outcomes. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine May 1, 2019, 29(3):e68.  DOI: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000748

De Freitas T.L, Przyslupski A-M., Lebrun C. Interdisciplinary Shoulder Pain Team Model: Cross-section analyses of patients seen by a same-day collaboration of Sports Clinic practitioners. CASEM Annual Meeting Halifax June 2018. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 2018;28(3):e56.

De Freitas, T.L., Watson, P. Spine Motion Restriction Guidelines for the Sport and Exercise Medicine Physician. Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Team Physician Resources, 2017

De Freitas, T.L., Spooner, GR., Szafran, O. Admissions and transfers from a rural emergency department. Can Fam Physician. 1998 Apr;44:789-95. PMID: 9585852; PMCID: PMC2277802.

Teaching

Overview: clinical teaching of musculoskeletal examination, sports medicine, field-side sports medicine emergencies
undergrad teaching: physical exam skills for third year clerkship rotation in family medicine, ultrasound guided procedures for musculoskeletal conditions.

the physical exam is a key element of medical practice it is crucial that we continue to teach these skills to our medical students , and post graduate students 

Post Graduate Family Medicine Teaching: In clinic teaching of approximately 110 to 150 clinical half days per year, and annual to semi annual design and implementation of Academic for PG1 and 2 in family medicine: In our enhanced skills program I also teach field side emergency care of athletes and supervised PG3 learners in full contact sport medical coverage.

2024 February Lower Extremity Clinical Reasoning : 3 2 hour seminar topics, Hip pain and approach to physical exam, Knee injuries and conditions, Foot Ankle and Lower leg clinical reasoning

2023 March The Upper Limb: 3 2 hour seminar topics. C spine and peripheral nerves of the upper limb, Elbow physical exam and common conditions, Hand and Wrist Examination and clinical reasoning for injuries that present to the Family Medicine Clinic

DeFreitas, T.L  Shouldering On: Clinical Assessment of Shoulder pain workshop Pre-Conference ACFP Summit 2024 Main Audience Family Physicians Provincial

De Freitas, T.L. “ Pain in the Neck” Edmonton O’Day-Min Primary Care Network Continuing Education program. Edmonton 2024. Main Audience: Community family physicians Edmonton

De Freitas T.L. & Lebrun C Concussion Education for Primary Care Physicians. Concussion Care : When do Symptoms not resolve: what our options for patients with concussion symptoms? Physician Lifelong Learning Webinar May 2023

 De Freitas, T.L. Foot and Ankle, AND LOWER LEG Clinical exam for the family physician ACFP Virtual Summit 2022 Main audience family physicians Provincial

De Freitas, T.L. "Concussion in Taekwondo" 4th WT Taekwondo Medicine conference (Guadalajara, Mexico) Clinical detection of Persistent Post Concussion Symptoms (PPCS) in taekwondo athletes A review of the current literature on PPCS, the diagnostic process and team-based care for athletes suffering from this condition 2022. Main Audience: Physicians and Physiotherapists International

De Freitas, T.L. “Team Based Concussion Care: the best option for persistent concussion symptoms” 2022 Conference on Kinesiology, Korean Academy of Kinesiologist Virtual, Hosted in Seoul South Korea October 22, 2022, Main Audience: Kinesiology Researchers International

De Freitas, T.L. Evidence based treatments for Tendinopathy ACFP Virtual Summit 2021. Main Audience family physicians in Alberta DeFreitas, T.L. Clinical Examination of the Shoulder in Family practice. Virtual Academic Day, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, 2021. Main Audience: Family physicians. Local.

DeFreitas, T.L. CASEM Considerations for Sport Medicine Procedures in Re-Launch Phases. Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine (CASEM) National Webinar, 2020. Main Audience: SEM physicians. Canada

DeFreitas, T.L. CASEM Considerations for Sport Medicine Procedures in Re-Launch Phases, COVID-19. Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine, 2020, https://casem-acmse.org 

De Freitas, T.L., Watson, P. Spine Motion Restriction Guidelines for the Sport and Exercise Medicine Physician. Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Team Physician Resources, 2017

De Freitas, T.L.,  Noseworthy, K. COVID-19 Return to TRAIN in the Dojang Recommendations. Taekwondo Canada, 2020, http://taekwondo-canada.com

DeFreitas, T.L. Clinical Examination of the Shoulder in Family practice. Virtual Academic Day, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, 2021. Main Audience: Family physicians. Local.

DeFreitas, T.L. Clinical Examination of the Elbow in Family Practice. Virtual Academic Day, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, 2021. Main Audience: Family physicians. Local.

DeFreitas, T.L. Clinical examination of cervical spine, thoracic spine and lumbar spine in Family Practice” Virtual Academic Day, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, November 18, 2020. Main Audience: Family physicians. Local.

DeFreitas, T.L. Teaching MSK assessment virtually. Family Medicine Faculty Development Session, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, September 24th, 2020. Main Audience: Family physicians. Local.

DeFreitas, T.L. CASEM Considerations for Sport Medicine Procedures in Re-Launch Phases. Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine (CASEM) National Webinar, 2020. Main Audience: SEM physicians. Canada.

De Freitas, T.L. Blood flow restriction training in rehabilitation: What is the current evidence? 5th Annual Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic D.C. Reid Conference, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, 2020. Main Audience: Health professionals. Alberta.

DeFreitas, T.L. Joint Injections: What are the options? Joint Injection Workshop, Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic and Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, 2019. Main Audience: Physicians, Trainee Physicians, Health professionals. Alberta.

Lebrun, C., De Freitas, T.L., Isaac, C. Navigation of Concussion Management for the Family Physician: From Diagnosis to Resolution. Department of Family Medicine Grand Rounds, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, 2019. Main Audience: Postgraduates and Academic staff. Local.

De Freitas, T.L., Gill, J., Panaro, C., McGoldrick, E. Team Based Care of Syndesmotic Ankle Injuries.  2nd Annual Football Injuries Conference, Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine (CASEM), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, 2018. Main Audience: Health professionals. International.

De Freitas, T.L., Bles, D., Boulaine, M., Matthews-White, J. Team Based care of shoulder dislocation in football.  2nd Annual Football Injuries Conference, Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine (CASEM), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, 2018. Main Audience: Health professionals. International.

 De Freitas, T.L., Naidu, D., Tulis, R. 3 minutes 3 slides - Challenging football injuries. 2nd Annual Football Injuries Conference, Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine (CASEM), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, 2018. Main Audience: Health professionals. International.

De Freitas, T.L. "Buyer Beware: What is the evidence in concussion?"  Banff/Canmore Community Foundation Concussion Seminar, Canmore, AB, 2018. Main Audience: Health care professionals. Provincial.

 De Freitas, T.L. "Concussion and the concussion recognition tool for coaches and parents". Banff/Canmore Community Foundation Concussion Seminar, Canmore, AB, 2018. Main Audience: Public. Local.

 De Freitas T.L.  "Greater Trochanter Pain Syndrome: More than Bursitis". 4th Annual Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic D.C. Reid Conference, Edmonton, Canada, 2017. Main Audience: Health professionals. Provincial.

De Freitas T. L. "Joint Injections: What are the Options? Joint Injection Workshop", Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic and Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, 2017. Main Audience: Physicians, Trainee Physicians, Health professionals. Alberta.

 De Freitas T. L. "How to Recognize Concussion". Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic Public Forum, Edmonton, AB, 2017. Main Audience: Public. Local.

 De Freitas T. L. "Lessons from the Outpatient Department: Concussion in Trauma." Canadian Orthopaedic Nurses Association (CONA) National Symposium, Edmonton, AB, 2016. Main Audience: Health professionals. National.

De Freitas T.L. "Joint Injections: What is out there? Joint Injection Workshop," Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic and Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, 2016. Main Audience: Physicians, Trainee Physicians, Health professionals. Alberta.

De Freitas T.L. "Cutting Edge Sport Medicine." 2nd Annual Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic D.C. Reid Conference, Edmonton, AB, 2015. Main Audience: Health professionals. Provincial.

De Freitas T.L. Wesner M. "An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Platelet Rich Plasma Injection Treatment of Tendinopathy". Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine (CASEM) Annual Research Symposium, Ottawa, ON, 2015. Main Audience: Sports Medicine Physicians. National.

De Freitas T.L. "Family Medicine can Lead to Anywhere". University of Alberta Medical Students Association – Invited speaker Career Lecture Series, Edmonton, AB, 2014. Main Audience: Medical students. Local.

 De Freitas T.L. "Introduction to Joint Injection Laboratories." University of Alberta Medical Students Association - Career Lecture Series, Edmonton, AB, 2014. Main Audience: Medical Students. Local.

De Freitas, T.L." Baseline Concussion Testing in Youth Taekwondo Sparring Participants at Canada Nationals". 4th Annual Symposium for Taekwondo Studies, Puebla, Mexico, 2013. Main Audience: Health professionals. International.

De Freitas T.L. "Introduction of Child SCAT3 at Taekwondo Events in Canada. Canada Open Taekwondo Championships," Toronto, ON, 2013. Main Audience: Health professionals, Public. National.

6th International Consensus Conference on Concussion in Sport Amsterdam. 2022 October;

Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine. 2022 May; 10.1097/JSM.0000000000001036