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

Clavicle Fractures

The clavicle (collar bone) is commonly fractured in activities which involve the risk of falling on the upper quadrant of the body such as sport, bicycling or simple falls in children and the elderly. The clavicle is a stabilising bone between the scapula and the sternum, holding the arm away from the body during activities and allowing the exertion of force and power. Fracture give acute pain over the bone itself, swelling and bruising and perhaps deformity as the alignment of the bone is disturbed. The fracture may crunch on attempted movement of the arm and be very painful.

To allow healing the arm should be rested for three weeks in a sling to minimise the forces through the clavicle until the fracture begins to unite, during which time the patient should limit arm movement to below shoulder level. Once the pain has reduced after the three week point the arm ranges of movement can be gradually increased. In some cases healing of clavicular fractures can be slow or internal fixation become necessary if they show no signs of uniting after two months or so. Limitation of shoulder movement after fracture is uncommon and physiotherapists typically advise patients on exercises to restore full range.

Pes Cavus

This condition is also known as high instep or high arch and is a type of foot anatomy where the medial longitudinal arch (arch on the inner side of the foot) is significantly greater than normal. This is the opposite foot deformity to flat foot and may be without symptoms. However the limiting of weight bearing stresses to the heel and the metatarsal heads may put excessive stresses on the ball of the foot, causing calluses to form and a painful front foot problem. This can also go with hammer toes where the toes are flexed up in a clawed manner and take no part in contacting the ground in gait.

Pes cavus may cause difficulties in selecting suitable footwear as the height of the foot in the midfoot region is so much greater than normal, and some people may need insoles to support the arch and allow effective and painless walking. Pes cavus can be hereditary or can be secondary to a neurological or neuromuscular condition. Treatment is usually conservative such as physiotherapy for strengthening and stretching and the provision of custom insoles as surgery to treat foot pain of this cause is unpredictable in outcome.