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

Physiotherapy and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common and important chronic condition which affects about 1.5 million people in the United Kingdom. Hospitalisation is common as around 25% of COPD sufferers are admitted each year with a worsening of their condition. Chest physiotherapy is routinely employed in an attempt to improve air entry or to assist in the removal of secretions, using various techniques including manual treatment, treatment with equipment and walking programmes. Two techniques, positive expiratory pressure (PEP) and intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV), have shown an ability to increase the amount of sputum brought up in patients where sputum retention is a problem.

One treatment which physiotherapists routinely use with respiratory patients is to get them walking again, as fitness declines quickly with best rest when sick and getting up and about promotes clearing of secretions naturally by coughing. This improves blood gases, shortness of breath and physical stamina. Moderate scientific evidence exists that this treatment is effective in respiratory patients and most physiotherapy techniques have been shown to be safe rather than particularly effective. Percussion, the hitting of the chest with the hands, has not been shown to be effective and is used less and less also for safety concerns.

Fractures of the Radius and Ulna

75% of all bony wrist injuries are fractures of the end of the radius, the ulna or both bones. The wrist joint involves the radius and ulna and the first row of the wrist bones. There are various fracture classification schemes for wrist injuries although a general guide is that the greater the amount of displacement and the greater the number of fracture fragments the more severe the injury is. The typical onset of these fractures is a FOOSH, a fall on an outstretched hand, which forces the wrist up into extension and typically results in a fracture in the last inch of the radius.

Because of the direct of the fall and the forces involves, the end fragment of the bone tends to be displaced upwards and backwards, with the ulna frequently fracturing too. The most common fracture pattern in this type is the Colles fracture, the term now used to describe a fracture through the last inch of the radius with ulnar fracture commonly accompanying it. This fracture is much more common in older age groups when it shows as a clean break away from the wrist. Younger people can suffer this kind of fracture but the higher forces often cause more severe damage.