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

Physiotherapy for Femoral Shaft Fractures

Fractures of the femoral shaft in adults are overwhelmingly the result of considerable force such as a road accident or a fall from a height. Due to the force involved and the power of the surrounding muscles the bone ends often overlap, cutting into the soft tissues around them, and there is often a considerable amount of bleeding and pain. Initial treatment consists of pain control, maintaining the patient.s blood volume and applying some traction to the leg to bring the bones out towards their normal positioning. Treatment used to be skeletal traction for up to 12 weeks but this has been superseded by internal fixation with a nail down the femur to stabilise the fracture.

Initial physiotherapy concentrates on restoring the muscle activity to the quadriceps, often inhibited by the pain and direct injury, and regaining range of motion in the knee. Mobilisation with a physiotherapist is performed as soon as comfort allows and the patient is often permitted to partial weight bear with crutches as the fracture is typically stable with the fixation. Further physio treatment includes massage to the fractured area to disperse scar tissue forming in the area which could bind down the muscle and other soft tissues, limiting movement and strength.

Walking with Crutches

In cases of lower limb injury or operation the surgeons may want to restrict weight bearing for a length of time. They instruct that the patient should be .non weight bearing. or .partial weight bearing. for the period specified. To achieve what is required the physiotherapist will instruct the patient in the use of crutches, or in some cases a frame. Initial assessment includes the nature of the condition and the state of the patient's other leg and arms. Arthritic joints in the other limbs may alter what is required in terms of technique or aids, the physiotherapist having to be flexible with what they suggest.

Standing up is performed by pushing up on the armrests of the chair, then the crutches are fitted and placed a short distance in front of the patient so they and the patient make a stable triangle. Initially the crutches are placed forwards and then, if partial weight bearing, the affected leg is placed forwards between the crutches and then the good leg brought up to line. This is a good initial technique to teach as it is straightforward and safe. Patients can progress to a more advanced technique, moving the affected leg at the same time as the crutches.