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

Hip Arthritis

The hip is one of the largest body joints, a ball and socket joint which is very deep and very stable. Large and powerful ligaments hold the joint together and large and powerful muscles, the buttocks, power the joint so we can walk, run and climb stairs. The joint surfaces are covered by articular cartilage, a coating of firm and slippery material which allows the loaded joints to move almost as easily as when they are not unloaded. Keeping our joints mobile and using them regularly maintains the health of the articular cartilage in our joints, making exercise important for long term joint health and independence.

Arthritic changes may occur after injury or overuse or the tendency for the cartilage to degenerate at a higher rate than expected can be genetically determined. The cartilage may soften and develop fissures and in severe cases it may wear completely away, allowing bone on bone contact in the joint. Hip, groin or thigh pain in common, with the development of a limp a common event. The muscles of the joint can weaken as the pain and the person's gait worsens and walking aids become necessary. Exercise, weight loss, painkillers and eventually hip replacement are the commonest treatments.

Back Pain - Red Flags for Serious Conditions

Most people with back pain have just that, back pain secondary to injury, time and the mechanical stresses of holding a posture or performing an activity. However, a small proportion of people present with back pain when the underlying reason is a serious pathology of some sort. The signs that indicate that mechanical back pain may not be the reason for the patient's pain are called red flags. Physiotherapists routinely ask the red flag questions to try to exclude the likelihood of a patient having a serious underlying condition which might also be worsened by physio treatment. Examples of red flags for back pain are: age over 55 or under 20 when back pain first presents and significant trauma involved (like a fall).

Other red flags include: significant weight loss; significant night pain; use of steroids; a history of cancer; bladder or bowel disturbance and loss of sensation in the saddle area around the genitals and anus. A degree of judgement is required as the outcome of the questions is rarely clear cut and most red flag situations turn out not to be serious conditions but physios routinely evaluate these to ensure safe treatment and refer questionable cases on for medical evaluation.