Dr. Chuck Thigpen
Dr. Thigpen, PhD, PT, ATC, is a Clinical Research Scientist for ATI and Director of Observational Clinical Research in Orthopaedics with the Center for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Sciences at the University of South Carolina. He holds adjunct appointments with Duke University Division of Physical Therapy, University of South Carolina Department of Physical Therapy, and Clemson University Bioengineering. He serves as a Senior Faculty and mentor in the APTA credentialed sports and orthopedic residency, and is a co-founder of the APTA credentialed upper extremity fellowship for ATI and the Kansas City Royals.
Chuck completed his PhD in Human Movement Science from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 2006. He completed a M.S. in Human Movement Science with a concentration in Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy from UNC in May of 2003. He earned his B.S. in Physical Therapy from East Tennessee State University in 1997. Chuck played football at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga in 1991-92 before becoming a student athletic trainer through 1995.
Dr. Thigpen has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters related to prevention and treatment of shoulder pain. He has over 200 national and international podium research presentations, and numerous invited lectures as an expert in the management of shoulder pain. He has led funded clinical trials examining the treatment of shoulder and knee pain, as well as the injuries in the pitching shoulder. He is currently leading initiatives evaluating the effectiveness of physical therapy triaged clinical pathways to deliver the Triple Aim, of increased patient satisfaction, superior clinical outcomes, at the lowest cost.
Thigpen is a NATABOC certified athletic trainer and a member of the National Athletic Trainer’s Association, as well as the American Physical Therapy Association’s Sports Physical Therapy and Orthopedic Sections. He is currently the research chair for the APTA Sports Section and serves on the NATA Research Free Communications and Pronouncements Committees. He is a member of the APTA Imaging Special Interest Group’s Research Committee, and has served as one of four physical therapists on the writing panel for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Appropriate Use Criteria for the treatment of rotator cuff tears in 2012. Thigpen served as the President of the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists from 2010-12.
Dr. Thigpen received the 2005 Susan Baker Award for Excellence in Writing from the UNC Injury Prevention and Research Center. He also received the 2008 Founders award for service to the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists. In 2012, he was awarded the APTA Sports Section’s “Lynn Wallace Award for Clinical Education and Mentoring” in recognition of his contributions to sports physical therapy in the areas of teaching and mentoring. Thigpen was a co-author for the 2013 APTA Sports Sections Excellence in Research Award for “Preseason Shoulder Rom Screening As A Predictor Of Injury Among Youth, Adolescent, And Professional Baseball Pitchers.”
Charles Thigpen can be reached at charles.thigpen@atipt.com, or 864-454-0904.