Physiotherapist in Doncaster | Regain Your Active Lifestyle

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Conditions

Ankle and Foot

Injuries to the ankle and foot are common, particularly among individuals engaged in physical activities. The most frequent type of injury is a sprain, often referred to as a “rolled ankle,” which involves overstretching or tearing of the ligaments that support the ankle.

Common Ankle and Foot Injuries

Ankle Sprains and Fractures

Ankle Sprains: This occurs when the ligaments that connect the bones in the ankle are overstretched or torn. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking. Ankle Fractures: A break in one or more of the bones that make up the ankle joint. Symptoms are similar to a sprain but often more severe, and may include deformity and inability to bear weight.

Achilles Injuries

Achilles Tendinitis: Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It can cause pain and stiffness along the back of the leg near the heel. Achilles Rupture: A partial or complete tear of the Achilles tendon, often resulting in sudden, severe pain, swelling, and difficulty walking or standing on tiptoe.

Plantar Fasciitis

A condition characterized by pain in the heel or bottom of the foot. It is caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes. Pain is usually worse in the morning or after long periods of standing.

Stress Fractures

Small cracks in the bones of the foot or ankle, commonly caused by overuse or repetitive force, often seen in athletes or individuals who engage in high-impact activities.

Symptoms include pain that worsens with activity and subsides with rest, as well as tenderness and swelling.

Back & Spine

Back pain is an extremely common condition, affecting approximately 80% of people at some point in their lives. The spine is a complex structure consisting of various components including joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. Intervertebral discs between the vertebrae act as shock absorbers and facilitate movement in the spine. Pain can originate from any of these structures, leading to various types of back pain.

Common Causes and Conditions

Disc Injury

Intervertebral discs can become injured through herniation or degeneration, causing pain due to nerve compression or inflammation.

Sciatica

This condition involves pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, typically extending from the lower back down through the legs. It is often caused by compression of a lumbar nerve root.

Facet Joint Strain

The facet joints connect the vertebrae and help stabilize the spine. Strain or degeneration of these joints can cause localized pain and stiffness.

Post-Surgery Rehabilitation

After spinal surgery, patients often experience pain and require rehabilitation to restore function and reduce discomfort.

Postural Stress

Poor posture, whether from sitting, standing, or lifting incorrectly, can strain the back muscles and ligaments, leading to pain and discomfort.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Injuries to the muscles, ligaments, or tendons in the back can occur from overuse, trauma, or sudden movements, resulting in pain and limited movement.

Nerve Root Irritation

Inflammation or compression of the nerve roots exiting the spinal column can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the areas supplied by the affected nerve.

Postnatal related back pain

Childbirth can significantly impact the lower back and pelvis, often resulting in instability and pain due to the physical changes and stresses experienced during pregnancy and delivery.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is a condition where one of the vertebrae slips forward over the vertebra below it. This can cause pain and affect the spinal nerves.

Spondylosis

Spondylosis refers to the age-related degeneration of the spine, particularly affecting the intervertebral discs and facet joints, leading to pain and stiffness.

Hip and Groin

Assessment and Diagnosis

Spondylolisthesis is a condition where one of the vertebrae slips forward over the vertebra below it. This can cause pain and affect the spinal nerves.

Individualized Treatment Plans

Tailored rehabilitation programs focusing on pain relief, strengthening, and functional restoration.

Support and Education

Providing patients with the knowledge and tools to manage their condition and prevent future injuries. Our goal is to assist you in recovering from hip and groin injuries and help you regain your quality of life, whether you are an athlete striving for peak performance or a busy professional with an active lifestyle.

Knee

The knee is a complex joint with many structures that can be injured, leading to pain, instability, and reduced function. Key components of the knee include the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL and PCL), medial and lateral collateral ligaments, medial and lateral meniscus, cartilage surfaces, the patellofemoral joint, and the bones that can sustain fractures. Common Knee Injuries

ACL and PCL Ligament Strains:

ACL Strain

The anterior cruciate ligament is crucial for stabilizing the knee, particularly in activities involving sudden stops and changes in direction. ACL injuries range from mild sprains to complete tears and often occur during sports. Symptoms include a “popping” sensation, pain, swelling, and instability.

PCL Strain

The posterior cruciate ligament is less frequently injured than the ACL but can be strained or torn through direct impact to the front of the knee or hyperextension. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and difficulty bearing weight.

Patella Dislocation

This occurs when the kneecap (patella) is forced out of its normal position, often to the outside of the knee. It can result from a direct blow or a sudden change in direction. Symptoms include severe pain, swelling, and visible displacement of the kneecap.

Meniscus Tears

The menisci are two C-shaped pieces of cartilage that act as shock absorbers between the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia). Meniscus tears are common in sports and can result from twisting motions or direct impact. Symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty moving the knee.

Knee Tendinopathy

This condition involves degeneration or inflammation of the tendons around the knee, such as the patellar tendon (jumper’s knee) or the quadriceps tendon. It is often due to overuse and repetitive stress. Symptoms include localized pain, tenderness, and swelling.

Post-Surgical Rehabilitation (Total Knee Replacement - TKR)

After a total knee replacement surgery, rehabilitation is critical to restore function, strength, and range of motion. Post-surgical care involves physical therapy, pain management, and gradual return to normal activities.

Neck

The neck, or cervical spine, is composed of vertebrae that extend from the skull to the upper torso. Cervical discs between the vertebrae act as shock absorbers, and the bones, ligaments, and muscles in the neck support the head and facilitate movement. Various abnormalities, inflammation, or injuries can lead to neck pain or stiffness. Common Conditions and Causes

Migraines and Headaches

Cervicogenic Headaches: These headaches originate from the cervical spine and are often caused by issues in the neck’s bones, discs, or soft tissues.

Tension Headaches: Often related to muscle strain or stress, leading to tightness and discomfort in the neck and head.

Whiplash Injury

Cause: Sudden, forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck, commonly from car accidents.

Symptoms: Neck pain and stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes pain radiating into the shoulders and arms.

Muscle Strain or Spasm

Cause: Overuse, poor posture, or sudden movements can strain neck muscles or cause spasms.

Symptoms: Pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion.

Cervical Spondylosis

Cause: Age-related wear and tear affecting the spinal discs in the neck. This can lead to osteoarthritis.

Symptoms: Neck pain and stiffness, possible numbness, and tingling in the arms and hands due to nerve compression.

Torticollis (Wry Neck)

Cause: Muscle spasm or congenital conditions causing the head to tilt to one side.

Symptoms: Pain and stiffness on one side of the neck, difficulty turning the head.

Pre/Post surgery

The rehabilitation process is based on making improvements to your range of movement and strength and getting you back to normal life as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Shoulder

The shoulder is a very complex region closely associated to many areas of the body. A careful assessment and specific rehabilitation program is essential to reduce the risk of re injury and to maximise performance after injury. It is common for shoulder injuries to be associated with other areas of the body such as the neck and back. Here are some common conditions we might treat on daily basis

Shoulder dislocation / instability

Rotator Cuff injuries

Tendinopathy

Acromioclavicular joint strains

Post shoulder surgery

Soft Tissue Injury

Soft tissue injuries involve damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons, commonly resulting from overuse, direct impact, or sudden movements. These injuries can range from mild strains to severe tears and are frequently seen in both athletes and individuals engaged in regular physical activities.

Common Symptoms of Soft Tissue Injuries

Pain

Immediate or delayed onset of pain in the affected area.

Swelling

Localized swelling due to inflammation and fluid accumulation.

Bruising

Discoloration of the skin resulting from bleeding beneath the surface.

Stiffness

Reduced range of motion and stiffness in the injured area.

Weakness

Decreased strength and function of the affected muscle or joint.

Tenderness

Sensitivity to touch or pressure on the injured site.

Instability

Feeling of joint instability or giving way, particularly in ligament injuries.
Evidence shows that early intervention in the management of soft tissue injuries significantly improves recovery outcomes and reduces the risk of reoccurrence

Sporting Injuries

Joint, muscle, ligament and tendon injuries including groin strain, hamstring strain, tennis elbow, rotator cuff injury or repair, ankle sprains, knee ligament strains. We have a strong focus on active rehabilitation, self management and education – helping you understand the condition and the steps required to recovery.

Tennis elbow

A condition caused by inflammation of the tendons on the outer bony prominence (lateral epicondyle) of the elbow. Certain repetitive movements of the wrist can cause this condition. Any repetitive motion of the wrist, including tennis, hedge clipping, hammer or screwdriver, painting or any constant gripping and squeezing can cause tennis elbow. Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) causes pain and inflammation in the tendons that connect the forearm to the elbow.
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