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Derek James Clewley

Assistant Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery, Physical Therapy
311 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Dr. Clewley is an educator, clinical researcher, physical therapist, and mentor in the DPT program. His specific area of expertise and training is orthopaedics and manual physical therapy.  He has achieved board certification in orthopaedics, and is recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. He has a PhD with primary research interests in health seeking behavior, pain science, manual therapy, clinical practice guideline development and implementation, and dry needling.  Dr. Clewley has extensive experience in the development of continuing education, residency, and fellowship post graduate training programs.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Assistant Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery · 2021 - Present Orthopaedic Surgery, Physical Therapy, Orthopaedic Surgery

Recent Publications


The person-centered hypothesis framework: Advancing clinical reasoning in musculoskeletal pain management.

Journal Article Musculoskelet Sci Pract · November 2025 INTRODUCTION: The Person-Centered Hypothesis (PCH) framework is a structured clinical reasoning model designed to enhance "in action" reasoning in person-centered care (PCC). The PCH integrates elements of the biopsychosocial model, pain phenotyping, and c ... Full text Link to item Cite

Information needs for people with neck pain seeking physiotherapy neck manipulation or mobilization: an exploratory study.

Journal Article J Man Manip Ther · October 2025 OBJECTIVE: To explore the foundational needs for a decision aid on receiving physiotherapy neck manipulation and mobilization from a broad age spectrum. METHOD: An e-survey was conducted from January to 30 April 2024, targeted child/infant-parent dyads, ad ... Full text Link to item Cite

Quality of clinical practice guidelines for frozen shoulder: a systematic review.

Journal Article Physiother Theory Pract · July 2025 OBJECTIVE: Perform a systematic critical appraisal of current clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for frozen shoulder. LITERATURE SURVEY: Systematic review of CPGs (PROSPERO number CRD42022368775). Inclusion criteria- CPGs written in English providing guid ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Effect of dry needling on pain and function in the management of subacromial impingement syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists · 2017 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions · 2018 Ph.D.
Shenandoah University · 2007 D.P.T.