Lumbar Spondylolisthesis
Physiotherapy treatment can significantly improve symptoms and function in patients who have a lumbar spondylolisthesis. Presentation Spondylolisthesis is a condition where one vertebrae slips forward on the one below. The most common level for a spondylolisthesis to occur is at L5S1. Predisposing factors include the presence of bilateral pars defects (these can be developmental or the result of trauma such as stress fractures), chronic disc disease leading to loss of disc height and associated facet joint degeneration, and excessive anterior pelvic tilt (usually due [...]
Acute Ankle Injuries
Ankle Sprains Treatment administered in the first 24 hours is the most important determinant of long-term recovery from an acute ankle sprain. Chronic or recurrent ankle sprains also need physiotherapy rehabilitation to achieve stability and should be treated immediately by one of our physiotherapists to improve stability and decrease pain. Presentation The most common type of ankle sprain is due to excessive inversion and plantarflexion, called an “inversion sprain”, and stretches or tears the lateral and anterior ankle ligaments, can damage the retinaculum and [...]
Plantar Fasciopathy
Plantar Fasciopathy (or Plantar Fasciitis) is a painful condition affecting the sole of the foot, with pain usually localised around the front of the calcaneum (heel bone) and radiating along the middle of the sole of the foot towards the toes. There is usually point tenderness on the insertion of the plantar fascia onto the calcaneum. WHAT CAUSES PLANTAR FASCIOPATHY? Plantar fasciopathy can be an acute condition related to a sudden increase in walking or a change in shoe support, or even a direct [...]
Whiplash
PHYSIOTHERAPY CAN GREATLY ASSIST PATIENTS WHO HAVE WHIPLASH INJURY FOLLOWING A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. The rapid motion of the neck during a crash can result in a number of injuries. Many of these injuries are impossible to see on x-rays or MRI. Even though there may be minimal damage to your car or cycle, you can still sustain whiplash. The NSW Motor Accidents Authority published the “Guidelines for the Management of Whiplash-Associated Disorders” in 2001. In this publication, the recommended treatment includes “Manual and physical [...]
Tennis Elbow
WHAT IS TENNIS ELBOW? Tennis elbow can certainly be caused by racquet sports, but it is common in any sport or occupation that involves gripping or throwing like weightlifting or canoeing, or carpentry and brick laying. You will feel pain with gripping and lifting. Where is Tennis Elbow Felt? You’ll feel pain over the outside bump of the elbow. This bump is known as your lateral epicondyle. The medical term for tennis elbow is “lateral epicondyalgia” meaning a painful lateral epicondyle. Typically, you’ll suffer [...]
Osteoarthritis of the Hip
Presentation Early stage OA of the hip can present as sudden onset acute hip pain, as the condition of the hip joint (usually initially just capsular tightening with no X-ray changes) can deteriorate slowly without associated signs or symptoms. The first three hip movements usually restricted by capsular tightening are medial rotation, abduction and extension of the hip joint. Associated low back pain Hip joint extension range is essential for walking, so if there is a gradual loss of this range, the patient may experience [...]