Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency – Houston Methodist Sugar Land

Program Overview

The Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency is a 12-month program, beginning annually in August, of intense clinical and didactic experiences in a hospital-based outpatient facility focused specifically on orthopedic rehabilitation. As part of the clinical portion of the residency, residents will receive one-on-one mentoring from board-certified specialists in orthopedics and sports, as well as fellowship-trained manual therapists. Residents will also carry a full patient case load to allow for independent development of skills acquired throughout the curriculum. Residents will be exposed to opportunities in the didactic portion of the program that will help significantly advance their areas of clinical orthopedic skills:

• Examination
• Evaluation
• Diagnosis
• Prognosis
• Intervention
• Prevention
• Return to Activity

By the completion of the program, residents will be prepared to sit for the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Orthopedic Certified Specialist Examination.

Mission

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency exists to provide physical therapists the opportunity to become advanced practitioners in orthopedic physical therapy, who will continue to contribute to the local and professional community through excellence in evidence-based clinical practice and education. Graduates will be the community leaders in orthopedic rehabilitation, while exemplifying Houston Methodist’s I CARE values of integrity, compassion, accountability, respect and excellence, and supporting the visions of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Goals

• Provide an effective learning environment and opportunity to develop advanced clinical skills in managing orthopedic related injuries and pathologies
• Teach evidence-based approaches in research and managing orthopedic related injuries and pathologies
• Expose residents to a multi-disciplinary approach in managing orthopedic related injuries and pathologies
• Provide the necessary content and clinical experiences to prepare the resident to successfully complete the ABPTS Orthopedic Certified Specialist Examination
• Develop community leaders in orthopedic rehabilitation who exhibit the highest standards of professionalism

Financial Fact Sheet

The program will disclose any financial assistance provided to participants enrolling in 2026.

View the Financial Fact Sheet (PDF) ➝.

About Our Program

Clinical Practicum

This residency offers supervised, non-mentored, direct clinical patient care that allows the resident to integrate knowledge gained from all content areas, including foundations, and to gain experience in the management of orthopedic and sports-related injuries.

Clinical Mentoring

The programs supports one-on-one mentoring of a patient with an orthopedic-certified specialist and fellowship-trained manual therapist to advance the resident’s skill in evaluation and treatment of orthopedic and sports-related injuries, including examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention and return to activity.

Research & Investigation

Directed research is offered on specific patient conditions that will expose the resident to the most current evidence-based approaches in the evaluation and treatment of orthopedic and sports-related injuries. Residents will develop and present case studies and proposals on specific patients and conditions, and they participate in daily literature reviews and general faculty and resident discussions.

Specialty Observation

Residents will spend clinic hours with orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine specialists and other specialists who influence orthopedic care to develop an understanding of current surgical and medical interventions, along with the rehabilitation implications.

Didactics

Weekly faculty lectures are offered to residents on anatomy, movement biomechanics, examination process, differential diagnosis, medical and clinical intervention, prevention strategies, and the return to activity of region specific orthopedic conditions.

Lab

The program includes weekly participation in non-patient mentoring activities to increase the residents’ knowledge and motor skills in manual examination and intervention of orthopedic and sports-related injuries.

Core Modules

Learn more about the residency program outcomes (PDF) ➝.

Minimum Eligibility

To be considered for admission to the Houston Methodist Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency, applicants must fulfill certain requirements:

• Graduate of entry-level American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)-accredited physical therapy (PT) program
• Hold a current Texas PT license
• CPR/first aid-certified 
• Emergency Response Certification or ATC/L (sports residency applicants only) 
• Membership in the APTA is highly recommended

Application Process

• Go to the Residency/Fellowship Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (RF-PTCAS) for detailed information on applying.
• Visit the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners (ECPTOTE) for more information on state licensure requirements.

All applicants will be interviewed onsite by the Admission Committee prior to their final decision. The Admission Committee makes their selection of residents through consideration of all components of the resident’s application package.

Residents likely to be accepted to the program display good knowledge of the purpose of residency programs as they relate to the visions of the APTA; show evidence of commitment to completing the program; have the desire to learn and continue skill development after the residency through education and mentorship; possess effective communication skills and professionalism; show evidence of being a team player and a leader; and can exemplify Houston Methodist’s I CARE values, which include integrity, compassion, accountability, respect and excellence.

Employment Benefits

As full-time employees of Houston Methodist, residents will receive a very competitive residency salary and will be eligible for benefits:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible spending account
• Short/long-term disability
• Paid time off and holidays
• Tuition reimbursement