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

The Facet Joints

The facet joints, also known as the zygapophysial joints, are small synovial joints like the joints of our fingers, but with much flatter surfaces which give the name .facet. to them. They are made up of part of the vertebra above and part below, are lined by articular cartilage and surrounded by a joint capsule lined with synovial membrane. In the lumbar spine the facets joints act to stabilise whilst the area is under compression and to resist excessive movement between the individual vertebrae. This protects the intervertebral discs from damage from inappropriate ranges of movement.

The joint surfaces of the facet joints vary in orientation through the spine, allowing and preventing different movements. In the neck both rotation and flexion/extension is permitted, in the thoracic spine rotation is the dominant movement and in the lumbar spine flexion and extension is permitted and rotation is limited. With disc degeneration in the lumbar spine the loads on the lumbar facet joints can be great and result in osteoarthritic changes in these joints which can be symptomatic and result in low back pain. Facet joint pain occurs in a significant proportion of people with low back pain and can be difficult to manage.

Physiotherapy and Elderly People

The number of elderly people is increasing strongly in all the industrialised states of the world and the health challenges which come with this are considerable. Physiotherapists have a large role to play both in hospitals once an elderly person is admitted and with elderly people in the community. Once admitted an elderly patient is seen by the physiotherapist if a respiratory, neurological or mobility problem is identified. Physios specialising in elderly care are trained to understand, assess and treat patients who may have a series of co-existing medical conditions as well as difficulties understanding or expressing themselves.

Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to drug reactions, being away from their normal surroundings and being immobilised for any length of time. Complications can quickly occur such as chest infections, pressure sores, confusion and loss of mobility and independence. Physios assess and treat these problems and routinely mobilise patients who have compromised mobility. In the community physiotherapists may visit the elderly in their homes and advise on mobility, safety and functional issues. Physios also take exercise classes in the community for balance and falls prevention, and for bone density to counter the increasing incidence of osteoporosis in elderly women.