Physiotherapists in Birmingham 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.

Medial Ligament Sprain

The knee is one of the largest joints in the body and is exposed to high levels of force as the large leg muscles move the body around at speed. As it does not having interlocking surfaces to give it stability it must rely on ligaments to perform that job. The medial collateral ligament is a wide band which travels across the inside of the knee from above downwards, preventing the knee joint from opening on the inside and collapsing. If a force is applied strongly to the outside of the knee, in a tackle by someone moving quickly, the knee is pushed hard into a knock knee position and the inside of the joint opens, spraining or rupturing the medial ligament.

Symptoms of a medial ligament sprain are immediate pain, swelling of the knee and if severe a feeling that the knee is unstable. Mild sprains are treated using a knee brace for a week or two and working at regaining joint movement and function as soon as possible. Severe sprains or ruptures may need immobilisation for 4-6 weeks in a plaster of Paris. Careful assessment is important as cartilage injury or anterior cruciate ligament injury can accompany this condition.