Welcome to the ask the expert. Please feel free to ask any physio-related questions, if required questions can be published or if you require remain anonymous.
Q. hello i am wondering about my knee i injured my knee in a accident and fractured my patella i had pins in it but they took it out nearly nine months ago my legs still skinny i enjoy going gym alot i have big upper body and skiiny legs i want to do squats to gain mass to my legs but i am not sure if its safe and im wondering about leg extensions aswell please get back to me i really want to know i am 23 btw Dec. 25, 2011 by jay
A. Hi Jay
the best thing if you are unsure of the surgery is to contact the consultant that did the operation. In theory it should be safe. If you are looking to build mass, then exercises with low repetitions and high loading would be favourable, making sure you have worked up to this first. If it sport specific that you are trying to build strength for then it may be a different method completely.
to recap, the knee should fine but best to get official confirmation
regards
jonathan - physio
the best thing if you are unsure of the surgery is to contact the consultant that did the operation. In theory it should be safe. If you are looking to build mass, then exercises with low repetitions and high loading would be favourable, making sure you have worked up to this first. If it sport specific that you are trying to build strength for then it may be a different method completely.
to recap, the knee should fine but best to get official confirmation
regards
jonathan - physio
Q. Hi , 2 months ago i was messing around toy fighting with my brother when i jarred my neck,after a week it was still tight so i booked in at a chiropractor. On the 3 occasions i went she cracked my neck and gently massaged the area, it finally felt like it was getting better,however she then fell ill so i was forced to use another. The new lady explaind a treatment totally different to which i had been having. she put me face down on the bed and started pressing her fingers up and down my neck. it did not feel comfortable and in fact she pressed so hard it took my breath away. i came away feeling light headed and in pain. for days after everytime i tiltid my head down and brought it back up i would feel a pain and slight dizzyness. She said i would feel pain for a few days after but im not sure. is this normal?? Thanks Oct. 20, 2011
A. Hi Stuart,
thanks for the question. IN all honesty the best thing you can do is go back and speak with the chiropractor you saw or saw previously, as they performed the treatment its best you ask any questions directly to them as they would be in the best place to answer any direct questions about it. Sorry i cant help any more in this instant
regards
Jonathan, Physiotherapist
thanks for the question. IN all honesty the best thing you can do is go back and speak with the chiropractor you saw or saw previously, as they performed the treatment its best you ask any questions directly to them as they would be in the best place to answer any direct questions about it. Sorry i cant help any more in this instant
regards
Jonathan, Physiotherapist
Q. Hi Jonathan. James here from Southampton. Took Lewis to see Orthopedic Doc today. He has been diagnosed with a outwardly twisted femur, toes point out (cant remember the medical name). They were concerned that his hamstrings and calfs were extremely tight and have referred him for physio, they are not suggesting surgery, just physio. He was getting pains in both ankles when he exercised. What can we do in the meantime whilst we wait for physio appointment? Regards. James Sep. 7, 2011 by James
A. Hi james thanks for the post.
the knee tends to represent whats going on at the hip which could be why your having pain there. If the femur is in an awkward position it can be due to several reasons. Firstly it can be a product of function- job, sport etc, where certain positions are prolonged or maintain meaning certain muscle groups shorten giving this position. secondly there is a condition which is congenital- born with- called a slipped femoral epiphysis. Basically the angle of the hip joint has changed from the `norm`.
IN the meantime basic posural activities such as sitting with clenched buttocks can start the development of hip strength, ensuring regular movement from prolonged postures, even shuffling in sitting can help. Ultimately depending on the shape or position of the hip specific exercises can be used to realign and retrain hip movement
regards
jonathan
physiotherapist
the knee tends to represent whats going on at the hip which could be why your having pain there. If the femur is in an awkward position it can be due to several reasons. Firstly it can be a product of function- job, sport etc, where certain positions are prolonged or maintain meaning certain muscle groups shorten giving this position. secondly there is a condition which is congenital- born with- called a slipped femoral epiphysis. Basically the angle of the hip joint has changed from the `norm`.
IN the meantime basic posural activities such as sitting with clenched buttocks can start the development of hip strength, ensuring regular movement from prolonged postures, even shuffling in sitting can help. Ultimately depending on the shape or position of the hip specific exercises can be used to realign and retrain hip movement
regards
jonathan
physiotherapist
Q. Hi there, Im a 42 year old female who is a keen runner and quite active. 8 weeks ago I slipped a disc in my lumbar spine. Initially I was in a lot of pain with my mobility affected dramatically. I have received ongoing treatment from an osteopath including taping and manipulation. I have also had an MRI which confirmed a central disc bulge., which is now only small. No nerves in legs have been affected throughout so pain has been contained to back area. I am just starting to become more mobile and pain free, however feel my condition is not improving enough to allow to me go back to work and regain a. 'normal' life. My posture is still affected and after about 20-30 minutes after getting out of bed I am beginning to stoop forwards and cannot retain an upright posture. My posture deteriorates as the day progresses and I have to use a stick to move around the house. I feel that this is a weakness in my back muscles after 8 weeks of rest and extreme protective posture. Could you please advise if I would benefit from physiotheraphy, and how can this help me progress from where my osteopath has finished his treatment. I would be so grateful for your expert advice and recommendation. I would really like to begin with physio straight away. kind regards Wendy Jan. 16, 2012 by Wendy
A. Hi wendy
thanks for the email. Unfortunately this is a common occurance. If a back becomes so bad that the disc is involved, invariably the muscle become weak, stretched and under pressure. Physiotherapy can be effective in regaining `normal` activities but what you depends largely on what you want to achieve and also how you are when you start, some people do retain a degree of stability even post injury whereas some simply retain the very basics. Please feel free to either arrange an appointment of a call and we can discuss your requirements further
Regards
Jonathan- physiotherapist
thanks for the email. Unfortunately this is a common occurance. If a back becomes so bad that the disc is involved, invariably the muscle become weak, stretched and under pressure. Physiotherapy can be effective in regaining `normal` activities but what you depends largely on what you want to achieve and also how you are when you start, some people do retain a degree of stability even post injury whereas some simply retain the very basics. Please feel free to either arrange an appointment of a call and we can discuss your requirements further
Regards
Jonathan- physiotherapist
Q. Hi, What kind of pressures/weight would be considered as dangerous for the wrist? I write with regards to pushing and pulling heavy items. Also what potential damage could this do to the corresponding joints and muscles? This will hopefully help me to determine what course of action to take when avoiding potential injury. Thanks for your time. Mar. 23, 2012 by Jamie
A. Hi Jamie
thatnks for the email. In regards to specific pressures on joints, alot of factors need to be considered when thinking about what kind of damage can be done. A good joint needs to have a good blood supply, intact, healthy muscles and nerves, but these can develop through routine use, over time tissues adapt according to the pressures put through them. Ultimately to avoid future injuries you need to look at maintaining a good level of movement of the wrist, hands, elbows and shoulder, muscles will develop with use but also to recognise when they need to rest, to avoid overuse problems.
regards
Jonathan, physio
thatnks for the email. In regards to specific pressures on joints, alot of factors need to be considered when thinking about what kind of damage can be done. A good joint needs to have a good blood supply, intact, healthy muscles and nerves, but these can develop through routine use, over time tissues adapt according to the pressures put through them. Ultimately to avoid future injuries you need to look at maintaining a good level of movement of the wrist, hands, elbows and shoulder, muscles will develop with use but also to recognise when they need to rest, to avoid overuse problems.
regards
Jonathan, physio
Q. I am 53 years old and 16 years ago I had a left hip replacement. Over the last 9 months i have lost 5 stones making my current weight a healthy 11.7 for my 5' 8" along with the weight loss I have been been doing weights and cardio in the gym. I find leg extensions in my left hip very hard and cannot lift the leg from the floor when lying down. Is this normal or with exercise will that range of movement return. Jan. 27, 2012 by Sue Hunt
A. Hi sue
thanks for the email. Its is a difficult one to answer, as im sure your aware one replacement just react like the next one. Another factor to consider is how good the muscles were operating before the replacement, as you have a nice new shiney joint doesnt mean the muscles and movement will be up to the same speed. As a replacement joint progresses the surrounding tissue can tend to atrophy or weaken, this maybe what is happening. There are exercises to try, but possibly your doing something like these already, the best advice i can give is to continue working hard, strengthening your gluts muscles (bottom muscles) and keep a degree of flexibility
regards
jonathan
thanks for the email. Its is a difficult one to answer, as im sure your aware one replacement just react like the next one. Another factor to consider is how good the muscles were operating before the replacement, as you have a nice new shiney joint doesnt mean the muscles and movement will be up to the same speed. As a replacement joint progresses the surrounding tissue can tend to atrophy or weaken, this maybe what is happening. There are exercises to try, but possibly your doing something like these already, the best advice i can give is to continue working hard, strengthening your gluts muscles (bottom muscles) and keep a degree of flexibility
regards
jonathan
Q. I have Hypermobilty in most of my joints, and it has caused the arches in my feet to fall as well. Since I was small, I danced regularly, so I kept all my muscles strong and never noticed any problems, other than my feet, however I quit three years ago and have been having problems since, mainly in my knees. Last summer, I managed to bash my right knee quite badly, and I ended up seeing a physiotherapist who told me I had loosened my knee cap, and knocked it slightly out of place. She strapped it up at the time, and told me if I didn't strengthen my leg and core muscles, I would continue to have this problem. I'm now going to the gym, so try and strengthen them, but the pain I get in my knee prevents me from a lot of it. It aches, and I get sharp pains under my kneecap, and it often feels like it's going to buckle and collapse inwards. I have basic tube supports, but they don't do much good, so I was looking at buying a better sports knee support. There are so many different ones out there, I don't where to start. What features do I need to look for? I don't know which parts I need supported and which I don't. Also, are there any you could recommend? Thanks Apr. 29, 2012
A. Hi Jess
there are many different type of knee supports, in their own way they can effective for the right problem. If your looking for something that will have a better control upon the patella you are best to look at the patella brace/ crasp-type splints. These tend to be cheaper and also better for the knee-cap if that is where the problem is arrising. Best to have alook around the various different websites to see which you think might be better.
regards
Jonathan, physio
there are many different type of knee supports, in their own way they can effective for the right problem. If your looking for something that will have a better control upon the patella you are best to look at the patella brace/ crasp-type splints. These tend to be cheaper and also better for the knee-cap if that is where the problem is arrising. Best to have alook around the various different websites to see which you think might be better.
regards
Jonathan, physio
Q. in 2010 I injured my left shoulder wrestling when I got slammed and it never quite seemed to heal properly. I got an MRI scan last month and it showed the left the AC joint is impinging on the supraspinatus tendon with hypertrophic change. I saw a shoulder expert who told me keyhole surgery would be needed to shave off 2-3mm of bone to create space to allow it to heal. Is this not something I can fix with physio. I can do normal activities without pain, its just pressing movements that cause a problem. Feb. 17, 2012 by Luke Perrin
A. Hi Luke
thanks for the email. how reversable an injury is can depend on how long ago the trauma happened. The longer the time since the injury the more time the body has to adapt and structurally change, basically this means that because of injury, one thing stops working and something else works more. The body has contractile tissue and non contractile tissue, contractile would be things like muscle that can adapt quickly where as non contractile would be things like ligaments, both of these overt ime change in accordance to the need for movement. In regards to the collarbone, when the arm moves up, especially with pressure the head, or top part of the collar bone needs to move down. if the tissues surrounding this have changed and adapted then it isnt going to happen easily and may cause discomfort. in theory some adaptation should be possible for the better but not everything works in theory. It is a difficult question to give you a definate answer on. basic stretches for the pec minor and pec major (these can be found on the internet) should help in some way, but as regards solving the problem only time will tell
regards
Jonathan, physio
thanks for the email. how reversable an injury is can depend on how long ago the trauma happened. The longer the time since the injury the more time the body has to adapt and structurally change, basically this means that because of injury, one thing stops working and something else works more. The body has contractile tissue and non contractile tissue, contractile would be things like muscle that can adapt quickly where as non contractile would be things like ligaments, both of these overt ime change in accordance to the need for movement. In regards to the collarbone, when the arm moves up, especially with pressure the head, or top part of the collar bone needs to move down. if the tissues surrounding this have changed and adapted then it isnt going to happen easily and may cause discomfort. in theory some adaptation should be possible for the better but not everything works in theory. It is a difficult question to give you a definate answer on. basic stretches for the pec minor and pec major (these can be found on the internet) should help in some way, but as regards solving the problem only time will tell
regards
Jonathan, physio
Q. when i go jogging or do any training at the gym that requires me to run about/jump etc i get a pain deep in my calf muscle and i have to stop immediatley and i cannot walk for a few days after without pain. i can cycle but cannot strech my calf without pain. Feb. 6, 2012 by james frederick
A. Hi James, thanks for the question
Firstly when your describe pain, is it; sharp, burning, aching, shooting. The nature of the pain can sometimes go a long way to diagnosing the problem. Secondly has there been any history of trauma or injury to the limb, again this may indicate something going on deep down. My first advice would be to seek the opinion of your GP, something as simple as a ultrasound scan could be used (upon referral from your GP) to diagnose eirther muscle tears of other scarring. Hopefully that gives you a little more direct on the best course of action.
regards
Jonathan, physio
Firstly when your describe pain, is it; sharp, burning, aching, shooting. The nature of the pain can sometimes go a long way to diagnosing the problem. Secondly has there been any history of trauma or injury to the limb, again this may indicate something going on deep down. My first advice would be to seek the opinion of your GP, something as simple as a ultrasound scan could be used (upon referral from your GP) to diagnose eirther muscle tears of other scarring. Hopefully that gives you a little more direct on the best course of action.
regards
Jonathan, physio
Loading ...