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

Bunions

Bunions is the term given to problems which occur with the joint of the big toe as it meets the foot, the first metatarsophalangeal joint or MTP joint. Problems with this joint may be familial with some inherited tendency but can also be do to poor foot use such as ill fitting footwear. Signs may start with an increased prominence at the inner border of the foot as the big toe drifts slightly towards the outside of the foot, eventually leading to rubbing of the prominence on the shoe in walking. Progression may occur as the deformity becomes worse and the joint itself becomes painful, with the big toe compressing the second toe and perhaps overriding or under riding it.

A highly arthritic joint can be very disabling, severely restrict the ability to walk very far and cause huge problems in choosing suitable footwear. Initial physiotherapy treatment can be provision of insoles, mobilisation techniques, gait correction, provision of walking aids and moderation of aggravating activities. More severe problems can be treated by joint injection, shaving of the joint surgically, removal of the joint to leave a fibrous union, fusion of the joint (arthrodesis) or replacement of the joint with a prosthesis.

Neck and Thoracic Posture

The spine is designed to be highly mobile but also to be stable and cope with the very large forces put upon it by movement of the body. At certain points in the spine a stiffer and more stable spinal area meets a mobile and flexible area and in these areas problems can develop. The neck and upper thorax have to manage the weight and movement of the head which is considerable and must be closely controlled so we can use our eyes effectively and interact with others. With time a typical posture develops in the neck and thorax where the head is carried forward of the body and a lump can develop where the neck and thorax meet.

The upper thoracic spine is a stiffer area of the spine and the neck is flexible, causing extra strains on this area which can become painful. The lower part of the neck is flexed more than usual and because we don't want to look down at the floor we lift the head up to look at the world and this extends the upper neck more than appropriate. With time this can develop into neck and arm pain from the lower neck and neck and head pain from the upper.