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Chad E. Cook

Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery, Physical Therapy
DUMC 104002, 2200 W. Main St. Ste. B230, Durham, NC 27710
311 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710

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

In the News


Published September 28, 2018
Hidden Health Problems Can Appear Up to Two Years After Elective Hip Surgeries

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Recent Publications


Patient perspectives of process variables in musculoskeletal care pathways.

Journal Article Musculoskelet Sci Pract · April 2025 BACKGROUND: The prevalence of disability caused by musculoskeletal conditions continues to increase. Little research has considered the effect of process variables of a musculoskeletal care pathway on patient outcomes. A process variable is as any modifiab ... Full text Link to item Cite

Understanding degenerative cervical myelopathy in musculoskeletal practice.

Journal Article J Man Manip Ther · March 4, 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 Cite

Context is complex: Challenges and opportunities addressing contextual factors in manual therapy mechanisms research

Journal Article International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine · March 1, 2025 Mechanistic studies on manual therapy (MT) have potential to allow better understanding of ‘why’ and ‘how’ MT interventions provide an effect. Contextual factors (CF) include the multitude of intrinsic and extrinsic inputs outside of the specific intervent ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Outcomes of Faculty Residencies: A multi-site mixed-methods investigation of key interested parties

ResearchConsultant · Awarded by Foundation for Physical Therapy · 2025 - 2026

Force-Based Manipulations Research Network

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Alabama at Birmingham · 2022 - 2026

Improving Veteran Access To Integrated Management of Chronic Back Pain (AIM Back)

ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2017 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


Texas Tech University of Health Science, School of Nursing · 2003 Ph.D.
Maryville College · 1990 B.S.