Physiotherapists in Peterborough treat many different conditions including the issues profiled below.

Shoulder Dislocation

The shoulder is an anatomically unstable joint as it is optimised for mobility rather than stability, allowing the hand to be placed in the very large number of positions required for optimal function. The shoulder socket (glenoid) is relatively small compared to the very large humeral head, leading to problems for the muscular and neurological systems as they struggle to keep the ball of the humerus centred on the socket during movement. The capsule of the shoulder, the fibrous bag which surrounds the whole shoulder joint, is relatively lax to allow for the large ranges of movement. This means it and its ligaments have little control over the joint and it relies on muscle control.

Dislocation is usually caused by a fall on the arm, especially if the arm in a position of abduction and lateral rotation, the position adopted by the .hands up!. posture. This is the most vulnerable position for the shoulder to dislocate anteriorly, i.e. the ball comes out of joint to the front. Immediate severe pain is the first symptom with the patient holding their arm in a protective position. Medical help is usually required to relocate the joint and there can be damage to the axillary nerve which control the deltoid muscle.

Physiotherapy After Back Surgery

Spinal surgery falls into several categories: spinal fusion; disc replacement; decompression for stenosis; microdiscectomy; discectomy. The details vary with the presentation of the patient, the operation and the course of recovery but principles can be noted. Initially a physiotherapist will attend the patient pre-operatively to ascertain the pain presentation and to test the patient.s muscle power and educate them about the operation. On the first post-operative day the physiotherapist will check the patient.s pain presentation again and retest the muscles of the legs to ensure that no untoward changes have occurred.

Mobilising back surgery patients is straightforward. They are rolled onto their most comfortable side and got up sideways while their legs slide off the bed. Sitting is minimised due to the lumbar stresses it imposes and patients are usually walked a distance as long as they feel well. Neural mobilising and core stability exercises may be prescribed by the physio as appropriate. Recent evidence indicates that a more active rehabilitation regime after certain kinds of back surgery may ensure a better result, although in spinal fusions the fusion of the operation site is the priority. Physiotherapists follow up spinal patients on discharge from hospital and design an individualised rehabilitation regime.