Injuries
• Ankle sprain
This is commonly a result of a twist of the ankle in which the ligaments are stretched resulting in pain, swelling and an inability to put weight through the leg. Repeated ankle sprains can lead to the ankle becoming ‘unstable’ as the ligaments are repeatedly damaged and the normal control of the joint is lost. Additionally, joints and nerves around the ankle and foot can be involved in combination with ligament
Treatment
In the acute (early) stage consists of ice, strapping and re-education of movement to prevent further damage and restore normal function. Early restoration of function is paramount to accelerate recovery as movement stimulates tissue repair.
Treatment for the ‘unstable’ aims at strengthening and reactivating the muscles around the ankle to compensate for the damage to the ligaments.
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• Whiplash Injury
This is usually following a road traffic accident during which the neck moves forwards, and then backwards, suddenly. This can result in damage to the neck muscles, joint and even the nerves. Most ‘whiplash injuries’ resolve in time and the best advice is the keep the neck moving and return to normal functioning as soon as possible.
Treatment
Involves neck, upper spine and shoulder exercises to maintain and increase range of movement. If stiffness persists, mobilisation of the spine will help to reduce symptoms.
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• Lower Back Pain/Acute Lower Back Pain
Most episodes of low back pain (with and without symptoms spreading into the buttock and tops of the leg(s) are not serious and the symptoms will reduce over time. If you experience leg pain that moves into the calf and it is associated with numbness and/ weakness consult your GP as soon as possible.
The best advice is remain as active as possible and avoid long periods of rest. Take simples analgesia and keep moving. If the symptoms persist consult a physiotherapist.
Symptoms will re-occur with most forms of lower back pain and by consulting one of our physiotherapists they will fully assess your back and show you how to prevent future episodes. This will involve a combination of treatment and a home exercise programme that will correct your spinal weakness.
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• Knee Pain
This is caused by many reasons and most resolve with time and if symptoms persist, physiotherapy.
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• Osteoarthritis (OA)
“We do not wear out: we rust out.” The myth that joints wear out is wrong and if we use the joint sensibly it will last longer than you! Knee pain is a result of damage to the cartilage (thick discs between the two bones that reduce the stress between them).
• Ligaments
• Anterior Knee Pain
• Wrist Pain
• Tennis Elbow Pain (pain on the outside of the elbow)
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Shoulder Pain
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Conditions
• Parkinsons Disease
It is a progressive neurological disorder mainly affecting the brain centres responsible for movement.
What is it? Normally nerve cells in the part of the brain called the basal ganglia produce dopamine, a chemical messenger used to transmit nerve impulses from the brain to various parts if the body.
In Parkinson's disease degeneration of these nerve cells means not enough dopamine is made and messages transmitted from the brain to the muscles become less efficient.
Symptoms
Hand tremor is often the earliest sign. Other symptoms include slowness of movement, muscle rigidity, poor coordination and clumsiness. As the disease progresses movement and everyday tasks such as dressing and writing become more difficult.
Speech may also be affected. A person with Parkinson's may develop an expressionless or 'mask-like' face. Many people experience depression and some develop dementia.
After several years sufferers may develop a shuffling walk without arm movement. Initiating activity may be difficult but once started they move too fast and end up almost running.
Treatment
Treatment involves medical management through the use of medications and therapy.
Physiotherapy intervention is based around postural education, self management and prevention of complications.
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• Stroke
A stroke is when an area of the brain is deprived of its blood supply for 24 hours or more - usually because of a blockage or burst blood vessel - causing vital brain tissue to die. It's essentially the same as what happens in the arteries leading to the heart when someone has a heart attack, which is why a stroke is sometimes described as a 'brain attack'. There are two main types of stroke:
Ischaemic stroke
In this, the most common type of stroke, the artery is blocked by a blood clot, which interrupts the brain's blood supply (ischaemia means to restrain blood in Greek). This may be due to a cerebral thrombosis (sometimes called a thrombotic stroke) where a blood clot forms in the main artery leading to the brain, or to a cerebral embolism (sometimes called an embolic stroke) in which a blood clot forms elsewhere in the body and is swept into the arteries serving the brain.
Haemorrhagic stroke
In this type of stroke a blood vessel in or around the brain ruptures causing bleeding, or a haemorrhage. The build up of blood presses on the brain damaging its delicate tissue, while other brain cells in the area are starved of blood and damaged.
In an intra-cerebral haemorrhage the bleeding occurs inside the brain itself. In a subarachnoid haemorrage the burst blood vessel bleeds into the subarachnoid space surrounding the brain.
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• Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
A transient ischaemic attack, often known as a mini-stroke, is when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted for a shorter period of time - anything from a few minutes to 24 hours - followed by complete recovery. In around one in five people it can be a warning sign of a subsequent stroke.
Treatment
The process of rehabilitation may include physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and psychological help Starting rehabilitation as early as possible can substantially improve recovery and reduce the effects of disability.
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• Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurological condition that results in disturbed transfer of messages from the central nervous system to the rest of the body. As there is no cure, medical treatment concentrates on symptom relief.
There are several different types with different patterns of disease. Of these , one in five sufferers have a benign form with mild attacks and no permanent disability, while another 15 per cent have a progressive disease that steadily worsens.
MS has a wide range of symptoms, is unpredictable, and affects everyone differently. Symptoms vary depending on the type of MS - but typically wax and wane. The condition can affect any part of the body but usually starts with a single episode of nerve dysfunction, classically inflammation of the optic nerve in one eye. Other common symptoms include:
• double or blurred vision
• numbness or tingling in any part of the body
• tiredness
• temporary blindness
• fatigue and dizziness
• distortion or loss of sense of touch
• limb weakness, spasticity and pain
• incontinence
• constipation
• cognitive impairment
Treatment
This is based around symptom relief and includes medication and therapy.
Physiotherapy can assist in pain relief, decrease of spasm and improved functional movement.
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