Overview
Dr. Cook is a clinical researcher, physical therapist, and profession advocate with a long-term history of clinical care excellence and service. His passions include refining and improving the patient examination process and validating tools used in day-to-day physical therapist practice. Dr. Cook has authored or co-authored 3 textbooks, has published over 315 peer reviewed manuscripts and lectures internationally on orthopedic examination and treatment.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery
·
2016 - Present
Orthopaedic Surgery, Physical Therapy,
Orthopaedic Surgery
Professor in Population Health Sciences
·
2020 - Present
Population Health Sciences,
Basic Science Departments
Member in the Duke Clinical Research Institute
·
2016 - Present
Duke Clinical Research Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Self-reported disability trajectories and their predictors among patients receiving care by physical therapists for musculoskeletal conditions: a retrospective analysis of registry data.
Journal Article BMJ Open · June 20, 2025 OBJECTIVES: To identify clustered trajectories of self-reported disability following the initiation of care by a physical therapist in outpatient orthopaedic settings and to determine baseline factors that distinguish between different trajectories. DESIGN ... Full text Link to item CiteUnderstanding degenerative cervical myelopathy in musculoskeletal practice.
Journal Article J Man Manip Ther · June 2025 BACKGROUND: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a clinical syndrome characterized by a progressive compression of the spinal cord. DCM often looks like common symptoms of aging or bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome in its early stages, requiring carefu ... Full text Link to item CiteReporting and incorporation of social risks in low back pain and exercise studies: A scoping review.
Journal Article Musculoskelet Sci Pract · June 2025 BACKGROUND: Exercise is a common intervention for low back pain, but its effect sizes are small to modest. Social risk factors significantly influence health outcomes, yet their consideration in randomized controlled trials on exercise for low back pain is ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Outcomes of Faculty Residencies: A multi-site mixed-methods investigation of key interested parties
ResearchConsultant · Awarded by Foundation for Physical Therapy · 2025 - 2026Force-Based Manipulations Research Network
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Alabama at Birmingham · 2022 - 2026Specific and Shared Mechanisms Associated With Treatment for Chronic Neck Pain
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Foundation for Physical Therapy · 2023 - 2026View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Texas Tech University of Health Science, School of Nursing ·
2003
Ph.D.
Maryville College ·
1990
B.S.