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

Radial Head Fractures

The radial head is a small, rounded structure on the outside of the forearm near the elbow, with a structure a bit like a cotton reel. It is held within a ligament which surrounds it like a cuff and articulates with the elbow and the ulna next to it. The radial head allows the forearm to rotate as it spins within its ligamentous circle, permitting what is known as pronation (turning the palm downwards) and supination (turning the palm upwards). These movements are very important for arm function, palm downwards allowing writing and reaching to pick up objects and palm upwards allowing the acceptance of change in monetary transactions.

Most radial head fractures are undisplaced, with pain as the major symptom and typically caused by a fall on the arm. If the fracture is in place within its ligamentous restriction the treatment is a sling for comfort and mobilisation of the elbow under physiotherapy supervision. Flexion and extension of the elbow and pronation and supination of the forearm are practiced within pain limits to restore the ranges of movement as soon as possible. More vigorous work should be restricted until after the healing period of six weeks for the bone.

Thumb Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the commonest degenerative joint disease in the world and affects hundreds of millions of mostly older people. The incidence of osteoarthritis is partly related to genetic factors but mostly the older a person is the more likely they are to have some arthritic joints. Some joints are more susceptible to osteoarthritic changes and more troublesome when they are affected by this condition. At the base of the thumb is the junction between the first metacarpal and one of the carpal or wrist bones, the trapezium, and this joint is known as the first carpo-metacarpal joint or CMC joint.

The CMC joint is a complex, saddle shaped joint and a very important one for the function of the hand. The thumb is a vital part of normal hand use and disturbance of the thumb can badly affect the use of the whole hand. The thumb has to rotate round so if can work opposite the fingers and if the joint become osteoarthritic this is restricted. A bony swelling may be obvious on the outer border of the hand below the thumb and the movement is obviously limited. Treatment includes joint mobilisations by a physiotherapist, splinting, injections and surgery.