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

Walking with Crutches

In cases of lower limb injury or operation the surgeons may want to restrict weight bearing for a length of time. They instruct that the patient should be .non weight bearing. or .partial weight bearing. for the period specified. To achieve what is required the physiotherapist will instruct the patient in the use of crutches, or in some cases a frame. Initial assessment includes the nature of the condition and the state of the patient's other leg and arms. Arthritic joints in the other limbs may alter what is required in terms of technique or aids, the physiotherapist having to be flexible with what they suggest.

Standing up is performed by pushing up on the armrests of the chair, then the crutches are fitted and placed a short distance in front of the patient so they and the patient make a stable triangle. Initially the crutches are placed forwards and then, if partial weight bearing, the affected leg is placed forwards between the crutches and then the good leg brought up to line. This is a good initial technique to teach as it is straightforward and safe. Patients can progress to a more advanced technique, moving the affected leg at the same time as the crutches.

Knee Ligament Injuries

Knee injuries are extremely common and a routine part of sporting activities of many kinds, especially in younger people. The knee is a large hinge type of joint connected by powerful ligaments but because of the joint.s position in the middle of a long lever (the leg) it is vulnerable to high levels of force during movement. Physiotherapists routinely diagnose and treat ligamentous injuries and rehabilitate patients back to their functional goal. A common injury is a strain of the medial collateral ligament when a force is applied to the outside of the knee when the foot is on the ground, pushing the knee inwards and opening out the joint on the inside.

Typically the knee will swell over the next 12 hours or so and be painful over the inside of the joint, sometimes making it difficult to walk easily. Treatment is to immobilise the knee in a brace or plaster of Paris for a shorter or longer period of time, then get the knee moving so that it does not lose range of movement. The ligament is under tension when the knee is straight so the physio will concentrate on restoring the ability of the muscles to fully extend the knee.