Physiotherapists in Leicestershire treat many different conditions including the condition profiled below.

Physiotherapy and Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a troublesome and often chronic pain condition which affects the tendon and bone junctions of the forearm muscles near the elbow. It appears to be a tendinopathy, in other words a degenerative condition of the tendon rather than an inflammatory one. Pain can come on after an overuse of the arms such as a lot of painting, cleaning windows, gardening or racket sports. Elbow pain can be very disabling as it affects everything the person does with their arms and can limit employment and leisure activities. Physiotherapy examination starts with the history of the condition and what uses the patient makes of their arms in their job or at home.

Treatment involves reducing the aggravating stresses on the tendons by changing the way or frequency of activities and by applying an epicondylitis clasp around the forearm which may be helpful by realigning the angles of pull of the forearm muscles away from the painful areas. Deep transverse frictions can be applied by the physio to the painful area and they may also apply ultrasound to the area to reduce inflammation and scarring. Stretches and eccentric movements can be performed to reduce the pain.

Medial Ligament Sprain

The knee is one of the largest joints in the body and is exposed to high levels of force as the large leg muscles move the body around at speed. As it does not having interlocking surfaces to give it stability it must rely on ligaments to perform that job. The medial collateral ligament is a wide band which travels across the inside of the knee from above downwards, preventing the knee joint from opening on the inside and collapsing. If a force is applied strongly to the outside of the knee, in a tackle by someone moving quickly, the knee is pushed hard into a knock knee position and the inside of the joint opens, spraining or rupturing the medial ligament.

Symptoms of a medial ligament sprain are immediate pain, swelling of the knee and if severe a feeling that the knee is unstable. Mild sprains are treated using a knee brace for a week or two and working at regaining joint movement and function as soon as possible. Severe sprains or ruptures may need immobilisation for 4-6 weeks in a plaster of Paris. Careful assessment is important as cartilage injury or anterior cruciate ligament injury can accompany this condition.

Physiotherapists in Leicestershire have contributed some of the many articles on this site such as the one extracted below.

Total hip replacement rehabilitation is not a complex process but it is useful for a skilled eye to be kept on the progress of the patient if the outcome is going to be optimal. The muscles around a painful joint weaken due to lack of use and this reduces the support of the joint given by them. Tightness may develop in the joints due to the restrictions in the movements which are limited by the pain and so the patient may develop an abnormality of gait to cope with the pain and tightness.Before the operation there is much patients can do to improve their situation in preparation for the replacement with walking practice and exercise. The physiotherapist will assess the joint range of the hip and prescribe joint mobilising and strengthening exercises as required. The walking pattern will be analysed and suggested changes instructed. A poor gait may impel the physiotherapist to issue walking aids such as elbow crutches or a stick, used on the side opposite to the arthritic joint. If this...

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