Physiotherapists in Yateley 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.

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.