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

Lumbar Facet Joint Syndrome

The lumbar spine is a very complex structure made up of a large number of different anatomical structures, many of which can be sources of pain in different situations. One structure which is known to contribute to low back pain is the facet joint, the small synovial joint placed at each side of each disc level. The facet joints are made up of one facet from the vertebra above and one from the vertebra below, with a joint capsule lined with synovial membrane. The joint capsule is well supplied with nerve endings which could transmit pain. In normal backs the facet joints serve to control the movements permitted at the particular part of the spine in which they lie, but do not take large amounts of weight.

With degeneration of the discs the facet joints are pushed together more strongly and forced to take larger amounts of weight, leading to degenerative changes developing within them and then the transmission of pain. The facets are forced to take more weight than they are designed for. Patients with this syndrome particularly dislike extension of the spine which forces the facet joints together and elicits pain. Mobilisations and regular exercises can be helpful from a physio.

Wrist Fractures

The wrist is the most commonly injured part of the upper limb with fractures of the end of the radius and ulna making up three-quarters of all wrist injuries. The wrist bones can be injured in isolation but this is much less common. The frequency of these injuries and the importance of the hand to normal dexterous functioning means that the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of these injuries is vital for the best eventual outcome and limitation of any longer term disability. In the wrist bones the scaphoid is more vulnerable than most to injury and fracture, with between 60 and 70 percent of all wrist bones fractures.

Scaphoid fractures are difficult to see on x-ray and a number cannot be seen on typical x-ray investigation, meaning that this fracture can be easily missed. However, missing a scaphoid fracture can have serious consequences for the future of a person's wrist due to the particular anatomy of the bone. The scaphoid has a waist where most of the fractures occur and blood flow occurs from one end of the bone to the other. A fracture can cut off the blood supply to one end of the bone, causing the bone to die, a condition known as avascular necrosis.