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

Clavicle Fractures

The clavicle (collar bone) is commonly fractured in activities which involve the risk of falling on the upper quadrant of the body such as sport, bicycling or simple falls in children and the elderly. The clavicle is a stabilising bone between the scapula and the sternum, holding the arm away from the body during activities and allowing the exertion of force and power. Fracture give acute pain over the bone itself, swelling and bruising and perhaps deformity as the alignment of the bone is disturbed. The fracture may crunch on attempted movement of the arm and be very painful.

To allow healing the arm should be rested for three weeks in a sling to minimise the forces through the clavicle until the fracture begins to unite, during which time the patient should limit arm movement to below shoulder level. Once the pain has reduced after the three week point the arm ranges of movement can be gradually increased. In some cases healing of clavicular fractures can be slow or internal fixation become necessary if they show no signs of uniting after two months or so. Limitation of shoulder movement after fracture is uncommon and physiotherapists typically advise patients on exercises to restore full range.

Patellar Dislocation

The patella is a small bone embedded in the tendon of the quadriceps muscle which is the main power muscle controlling the knee. The patella has two facets at a slight angle on its under surface which articulate with the femoral condyles, the large rounded ends of the thigh bone at the knee. The outside femoral condyles is slightly larger in a frontwards direction and helps act to hold the patella in place. Due to the angle of the thigh bone coming down from the hip and then joining the tibia which is horizontal there is a bowstring effect as the quadriceps muscle contracts, pulling the kneecap sideways.

If the person rotates their leg with their weight on the foot, the sideways force on the kneecap can be enough to force it outwards over the condyle ridge and off its joint surface completely. This is immediately extremely painful and if the person straightens their knee the patella usually relocates itself automatically. Because the tissues on the inside of the knee have been stretched and torn as the kneecap dislocated the knee is usually kept straight in a splint or plaster for a few weeks to allow this area to tighten up as it heals.