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

Neck and Thoracic Posture

The spine is designed to be highly mobile but also to be stable and cope with the very large forces put upon it by movement of the body. At certain points in the spine a stiffer and more stable spinal area meets a mobile and flexible area and in these areas problems can develop. The neck and upper thorax have to manage the weight and movement of the head which is considerable and must be closely controlled so we can use our eyes effectively and interact with others. With time a typical posture develops in the neck and thorax where the head is carried forward of the body and a lump can develop where the neck and thorax meet.

The upper thoracic spine is a stiffer area of the spine and the neck is flexible, causing extra strains on this area which can become painful. The lower part of the neck is flexed more than usual and because we don't want to look down at the floor we lift the head up to look at the world and this extends the upper neck more than appropriate. With time this can develop into neck and arm pain from the lower neck and neck and head pain from the upper.

Recovering Strength after Knee Replacement

Recovery from total knee replacement is partly a matter of healing, partly of the patient's determination and partly of physiotherapy management of post-operative rehabilitation. The large number of knee replacements performed each year and the vital functional importance of the knee in normal life make correct rehabilitation extremely important. Typical rehabilitation starts with quadriceps activation, knee flexion exercises and gait practice until the patient is independent with walking, stairs climbing and routine activities of daily living. However, recent research has shown that strengthening up the quadriceps much more thoroughly may be important for normal function and long term ability.

A progressive routine of quadriceps strengthening was applied in one study and the results showed it improved patients almost to the level of an unaffected person of their age. Knee replacement improves an individual's functional ability but their quadriceps typically remains reduced in strength compared to similar healthy older people, limiting overall function. Rehabilitation beyond the initial work to achieve acceptable function is not typically provided. As function comes to a peak about three years after replacement and declines thereafter, getting patients to the highest level of strength and ability is very important to allow them to get the best from their new joint.