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

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the four major ligaments of the knee joint and controls the forward and backward movement of the tibia on the femur as well as exerting rotatory control. It is a commonly injured structure especially in contact sports such as football or rugby but also in other activities where momentum is involved such as skiing. Injury usually follows an inward pressure on the knee combined with a rotation with the foot planted on the ground, with the sufferer often feeling or hearing a clear pop in the knee accompanied by significant pain.

Cruciate ligament rupture is almost always followed by the knee swelling up significantly in a few minutes as the injury bleeds into the knee. The acutely painful knee is managed by physiotherapists with ice, compression, bracing and gentle range of movement as soon as practical. Once the knee has settled from its acute stage it can be assessed for competence of the ligament. A cruciate deficient knee is usually unstable on rapid movement and turning and is often listed for reconstructive surgery. Physiotherapists rehabilitate the knee before the surgery to give the patient the best chance of coping with the long period of rehabilitation required post-operatively.

Supraspinatus Tendinitis

The supraspinatus muscle is one of the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder and a vital part of a normally functioning shoulder. It originates in the supraspinatus fossa (anatomical depression) at the top of the scapula or shoulder blade and passes outwards towards the head of the humerus. Above the shoulder joint the muscle gradually becomes more tendinous until it passes over the top of the head of humerus and inserts onto the bony area called the greater tuberosity. The muscular action is to move the arm away from the side but a more important action is to hold the humeral head against the glenoid.

Due to the proximity of the tendon to the acromioclavicular joint above it can suffer compression and inflammation from repetitive overactivity, giving a sharp pain on lifting of the arm in many activities. Physiotherapy examination involves testing shoulder abduction with compression and tension stresses to change the impingement and palpation of the supraspinatus insertion on the humeral head whilst the patient's arm is behind their back. Treatment involves limiting aggravating activities, ultrasound to the tendon insertion and strengthening of the remainder of the rotator cuff muscles. Anti-inflammatory medication may also be useful.