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

The Curves of the Spine

A quick look at anyone's spine from the side clearly indicates that the spine is not a dead straight structure but has a series of curve. There are four spinal curves, the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral. The neck curve begins to develop when the young child starts to try and lift the head up to look around, while the lumbar curve may be secondary to an upright gait. During walking the curves vary in regular amounts and this may be so that the spine can absorb and release energy, allowing the curves to be increased and decreased rather than the spine just suffers compression. This makes the curve system a form of shock absorber.

During the gait cycles the large muscles of the abdomen and back are working hard to stop large changes in the spinal curves occurring as this would adversely affect stability, and it is these tendons that the energy is stored which would otherwise just be applied to the spine. Walking involves jarring up and down movements which could be harmful if they were transmitted up through the spine and arrived at the head. These forces are lessened by the absorption of forces which the curves provide.

Rehabilitation after Hip Replacement

Hip replacement is aimed at restoring the ability of a person with an arthritic hip to walk, rise from chairs, manage stairs and crouch. Pre-assessment starts the process with education of the patient about what they should expect so they can cooperate with the process. Exercises are taught to maintain the ranges of motion and keep up muscle strength around the joint. Gait correction is given and a walking aid provided as appropriate. The day after the operation the physiotherapist and an assistant will get the patient up into standing and walking. Gentle range of movement exercises to encourage hip flexion and the ability to move the leg in the bed is encouraged.

Once the patient is able to get up with assistance they are taught to get out of the bed independently and perform as natural as possible a gait pattern, within the weight bearing instructions of the surgeon and physiotherapist. Patients are encouraged to walk longer distances steadily to build up their stamina and taught to manage a set of stairs safely. If there is evidence of muscle weakness around the hip then exercises may be prescribed, but much of the necessary muscle power around the hip will be restored by normal activity.