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

Total Knee Replacement

Joint replacement is one of the most successful medical technical interventions with the highest quality of life improvements of any treatments. The most common reason for having a knee replacement is the occurrence of osteoarthritis, the typical age related joint change which occurs in many millions of people around the world. Osteoarthritis causes joint pain, stiffness, gradually increasing loss of range of movement and difficulties with walking, climbing stairs and rising from sitting. If conservative treatments are not successful and there is significant disability associated with continual pain and difficult sleeping then joint replacement may be considered.

In knee replacement the joint surfaces are replaced by stainless steels components and a plastic liner is inserted between them and on the back of the patella. The operation takes up to two hours and the person is typically seen and mobilised up into standing or walking the next day by the physiotherapist and an assistant. Rehabilitation with the physios is now very important, with exercise practice, gait supervision and functional activities. Length of stay in hospital varies between three and seven days with routine referral to physiotherapy on discharge to work on range of movement and strength.

Communication and Assertiveness

Communication is of vital importance to humans getting on with their lives, as it is the only way we can let other people know how we feel or what we want or ask them the same. We often communicate in less than optimal ways which can lead to misunderstandings, irritation, aggression or just not getting what we want. We can communication in broadly three major approaches, assertively, aggressively or passively (sometimes called non-assertively) and aspects of these are commonly confused. Assertive communication is characterised by respect for the other, is clear and open and the person is also listening to the other.s point of view.

Aggressive communication can take many forms but is characterised by being disrespectful, not listening, taking a one-up position, being dominant and unequal. Such a posture invites aggression back or people may avoid such a person. Passive communicators do not get across what it is they want and are often frustrated and angry inside as they feel like a doormat, always walked over by everyone. When pushed too far they may suddenly flip into aggressive mode and explode in a tantrum, causing widespread surprise and concern as it seems so out of character.