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

Bunions

Bunions is the term given to problems which occur with the joint of the big toe as it meets the foot, the first metatarsophalangeal joint or MTP joint. Problems with this joint may be familial with some inherited tendency but can also be do to poor foot use such as ill fitting footwear. Signs may start with an increased prominence at the inner border of the foot as the big toe drifts slightly towards the outside of the foot, eventually leading to rubbing of the prominence on the shoe in walking. Progression may occur as the deformity becomes worse and the joint itself becomes painful, with the big toe compressing the second toe and perhaps overriding or under riding it.

A highly arthritic joint can be very disabling, severely restrict the ability to walk very far and cause huge problems in choosing suitable footwear. Initial physiotherapy treatment can be provision of insoles, mobilisation techniques, gait correction, provision of walking aids and moderation of aggravating activities. More severe problems can be treated by joint injection, shaving of the joint surgically, removal of the joint to leave a fibrous union, fusion of the joint (arthrodesis) or replacement of the joint with a prosthesis.

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.