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Health Q& A
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ANKLE
- FOOT
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is an irritation of the tissue on the
sole of your foot from the big toe to your heel.
What is ankle sprain?
Ankle sprain is an overstretch of the ligaments of the
ankle caused by injury leading to pain, swelling, loss
of motion, and difficulty walking.
What is Achilles tendonitis?
Achilles tendonitis is an irritation/inflammation of the
tendon, which inserts into your heel bone.
What is a fracture?
An ankle fracture is a broken bone of the foot usually
caused by a traumatic event. The fracture requires casting
and/or bracing with the possible use of crutches/canes/walkers,
which may all lead to joint stiffness, pain and swelling.
How can physical therapy help?
Physical Therapy can help decrease the pain, inflammation
and swelling, along with increasing range of motion and
strength through a controlled exercise program, helping
you to return to normal activities such as walking, stair
climbing, and recreational activities.
What can happen if I do not have physical therapy?
Untreated, you may continue to experience pain, swelling,
joint stiffness, and weakness in the ankle that contribute
to difficulties with walking or other daily or recreational
activities.
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ARTHRITIS
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a degeneration of joints and spine by one
of two methods. One method may be normal wear and tear
of the joint and spine through age (osteoarthritis), while
another is a disease process (rheumatoid arthritis). Both
of these conditions will cause degeneration of the joints,
leading to pain and inflammation with decreased motion,
problems with weight bearing, and interference with normal
functions of the extremities and spine.
How can physical therapy help?
Physical Therapy can help reduce the pain and inflammation
and help restore motion to allow increased function during
normal daily activities.
What can happen if I do not have physical therapy?
You may continue to experience pain and difficulties that
interfere with your everyday activities and progressively
limit your motion.
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CERVICAL
SPINE
What is pain/strain/sprain?
A pain/strain/sprain occurs after a traumatic experience
or poor posture that leads to pain and muscle soreness
in the neck region, which may decrease your motion leading
to difficulties with driving, sleeping, or your normal
work or daily activities.
What is degenerative joint/disc disease?
(Osteoarthritis, spondylosis)
Degenerative joint/disc disease is a progressive degeneration
of the bony joints in the neck leading to pain, loss of
motion and sleep, as well as other problems. This may
affect your ability to perform normal daily/work activities.
What is disc herniation?
A disc is a shock absorber located between two bones in
the neck. A disc herniation, also commonly called disc
bulge, protrusion or rupture, occurs from a disruption
in the tissue of the disc leading to neck pains and possibly
arm pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, sleep loss, and
decreased ability to perform daily activities.
What occurs postoperative?
After procedures such as cervical fusion and others, you
may experience loss of motion, pain, swelling, muscle
tightness and weakness that may interface with your normal
daily activities.
How can physical therapy help?
Physical Therapy through exercise and other means can
help decrease pain, restore motion, relieve muscle tightness
and tenderness, reduce swelling, and enhance the normal
healing process, leading to a return to normal daily activities.
What can happen if I do not have physical therapy?
You may experience a delay in the healing process, continuation
of pain and loss of motion which could lead to further
joint stiffness, pain, and wear and tear, causing an additional
decrease in normal or recreational activities. With disc
herniation, present symptoms may continue to worsen, causing
further arm pain, weakness, numbness, tingling, and sleep
loss that may possibly lead to the need for surgical intervention. |
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ELBOW
What Is epicondylitis? (Tennis or golfer's elbow)
Epicondylitis is an irritation/inflammation of the muscle
and tendons on the inside or outside of the elbow caused
by repetitive trauma. This may lead to pain, swelling,
decreased grip strength, and difficulties with normal
daily function.
What is arm, forearm, and elbow pain?
Arm, forearm, and elbow pain may be caused by various
injuries because of stress, trauma, degeneration, or other
activities. This pain may lead to loss of motion and strength
in this region, along with a decreased ability to perform
normal daily activities with your arm or hand.
What occurs postoperative?
After surgeries such as metal implants, nerve transplantation,
or tendon release, you may experience inflammation and
pain along with decreased motion and strength that may
interfere with your normal daily activities.
How can physical therapy help?
Physical Therapy through exercise and other means can
help enhance the normal healing process leading to faster
recovery, assist in decreasing the pain, along with restoring
motion and strength, thereby assisting your return to
normal daily and recreational activities.
What can happen if I do not have physical therapy?
You may experience a delay in the normal healing process
and continuation of pain that may result or lead to further
loss of motion and difficulty in performing your daily
activities. |
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HAND/WRIST
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a compression of the median
nerve at the wrist level, leading to pain, tingling, and
numbness in the thumb, index, long, and ring finger.
What is a tendon laceration?
The tendon connects the muscle to the bone allowing the
fingers to bend or straighten. The laceration or cutting
of a tendon often requires surgical repair in order to
restore motion.
What occurs postoperative?
Surgery often presents postoperative symptoms including
stiffness, swelling, pain, and sensitive scarring.
What Is A Fracture?
A fracture is a sudden breaking of a bone. Fractures most
often need to be immobilized for healing.
How Can Therapy Help?
Therapy can decrease the pain and numbness of carpal tunnel
syndrome while teaching preventative measures to decrease
the chance of reoccurrence. With tendon lacerations, therapy
will initially provide splints needed to protect the surgery,
postoperative therapy can help decrease pain, swelling,
sensitive scarring, along with restoring strength and
motion to allow normal hand function.
What can happen if I do not have physical therapy?
With carpal tunnel syndrome, pain, numbness, and tingling
may worsen. With tendon lacerations, swelling and stiffness
may occur. With postoperative symptoms, pain, swelling,
and scarring may worsen and motion may be lost. With fractures,
loss of motion of the involved joint may occur that leads
to difficulties using your hand for daily activities. |
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HEADACHES
What is a muscular tension headache?
A muscular tension headache is caused by tightness of
the muscles in the base of the skull, which may be secondary
to trauma, postural problems, or stress. This can lead
to difficulties in the ability to concentrate or read,
perform activities while looking down such as computer
work, or normal activities around the house.
How can physical therapy help?
Physical Therapy can help decrease the tightness of these
muscles in the base of the skull, improve posture and
range of motion, thereby relieving headaches and allowing
you to return to normal work or daily activities.
What can happen if I do not have physical therapy?
You may continue to experience persistent headaches that
interfere with your normal activities.
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HIP
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is an inflammatory degenerative condition of
the bony joint of the hip. This may lead to an inflammation
of the fluid-filled sac caused by repetitive trauma.
What is hip pain?
Hip pain may be caused by various activities such as trauma,
overuse and degenerative changes, and may lead to increased
pain, loss of motion, and decreased weight bearing, all
of which affect your normal daily activities.
What is a fracture?
A hip fracture is a broken bone of the hip usually caused
by some traumatic episode. This usually requires casting
and/or bracing and possibly the use of crutches/canes/walkers,
which all may lead to joint stiffness, pain and swelling.
This could affect your ability to walk, climb stairs,
or perform other normal daily activities.
What occurs postoperative?
After surgeries such as total hip replacement or metal
implants, you may experience inflammation and pain along
with decreased motion and strength, which may interfere
with your normal daily activities.
How can physical therapy help?
Physical Therapy can help decrease the pain and inflammation,
along with restoring hip motion and strength through a
controlled exercise program, helping you to return to
your normal daily activities, including walking.
What can happen if I do not have physical therapy?
You may continue to experience pain in the hip. This could
lead to loss of motion and strength, interfering with
your weight bearing and leading to functional difficulties
with your normal daily or recreational activities.
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KNEE
What is anterior knee pain? (Patellar tendonitis, chondromalacia,
patellofemoral pain)
Patellar tendonitis is an irritation and/or inflammation
of the tendon in front of your knee below the kneecap
(patella) secondary to repetitive trauma. Chondromalacia
is a weakening or degeneration of the cartilage behind
your knee cap. Patellofemoral pain is pain around your
kneecap that is caused when your kneecap is not moving
correctly. All of these conditions can lead to increased
pain, swelling, loss of motion and/or stiffness, and pain
and difficulty with daily activities such as squatting,
stair climbing, kneeling, and changing positions from
sitting to standing.
What occurs postoperative?
After total knee replacement surgery, arthroscope, anterior
cruciate ligament (ACL), meniscus, and medial collateral
ligament (MCL) repairs, you may experience difficulties
with walking, bending, kneeling, stair climbing, stooping,
and other functional activities.
What is a contusion/ligamentous injury/meniscal injury?
A contusion is a bruise of the muscle or bone secondary
to trauma. A ligamentous injury is a partial/complete
tear of the ligament(s) in the knee secondary to trauma.
A meniscal injury is a damage of the cartilage between
the bones of the thigh and the calf. All are usually associated
with pain, swelling, difficulties with stability, walking,
and other functional activities such as kneeling, stooping,
or stair climbing.
How can physical therapy help?
Physical Therapy can help decrease the pain and inflammation,
and enhance the normal healing process through a controlled
exercise program, thereby restoring strength, range of
motion, and a return to functional daily and recreational
activities.
What can happen if I do not have physical therapy?
You may experience a delay in the normal healing process,
and persistent symptoms or worsening of your symptoms
that can lead to further pain and loss of motion resulting
in increased difficulties that interfere with your normal
daily activities.
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LUMBAR
SPINE
What is degenerative joint/disc disease?
Degenerative joint/disc disease is a progressive degeneration
of the bony joints in the spine leading to decreased back
motion, pain, sleep loss, and other problems. This may
affect your ability to perform normal daily and work activities.
What is pain/strain/sprain?
A pain/strain/sprain occurs after a traumatic experience
or poor posture that leads to pain and muscle soreness
in the back region, which may lead to functional difficulties
with driving, sleeping, and/or your normal work or daily
activities.
What is disc herniation?
A disc herniation, also commonly called disc bulge, protrusion
or rupture, occurs from a disruption in the tissue of
the disc leading to low back and possibly leg pain, numbness,
tingling, weakness, sleep loss, and a decreased ability
to perform daily activities.
What is spondylolisthesis?
A spondylolisthesis occurs when there is a defect in one
of the vertebra (bone) of the back leading to tissue trauma,
pain, swelling, and decreased function in daily activities
such as weight bearing and sitting, and interfering with
work and functional activities.
What is spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is a degenerative process that leads to
bone accumulation narrowing the spaces where the spinal
cord and nerves are located. This can lead to leg pain
with walking activities, general low back pain, weakness,
loss of flexibility, and an interference in your normal
daily activities.
What occurs postoperative?
After procedures such as lumbar fusion and disc surgery,
you may experience loss of motion, pain, swelling, muscle
tightness, and an interference in your normal daily activities.
How can physical therapy help?
Through a controlled exercise program and other means,
physical therapy can help reduce pain and inflammation,
and enhance the normal healing process, while increasing
flexibility, strength, standing and walking tolerances,
along with other functional and normal daily activities.
What can happen if I do not have physical therapy?
You can experience a delay in the healing process with
continuation of pain and further loss of motion, leading
to joint stiffness and pain, interfering with your normal
daily or recreational activities. Some conditions may
proceed to a state where surgical intervention is required. |
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OSTEOPOROSIS
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is caused by a decrease in bone material
density leading to postural changes and an increase in
chances for fractures. The process may interfere with
your ability to perform normal transitions from sitting
or lying to sitting, when using your arms in an overhead
position, and other disruptions of your normal activities.
How can physical therapy help?
Physical Therapy can help address the limited movement
or functional loss through an instructional and controlled
exercise program leading to increased use during functional
activities.
What can happen if I do not have physical therapy?
You may continue to experience difficulties in activities
such as transferring from lying to sitting or overhead
activities that may lead to loss of motion in the affected
joints. |
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SACROILIAC
JOINT DYSFUNCTION
What is sacroiliac joint dysfunction?
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is pain located in the buttock
region where your pelvis joins your spine associated after
trauma, childbirth, or other experiences. This pain may
cause you to have difficulties with loss of motion during
weight bearing activities, such as walking and sitting,
and cause a disruption in your normal daily activities.
How can physical therapy help?
Physical Therapy can help restore the normal motion at
this joint, help decrease any pain and inflammation, and
help stabilize this area through specific exercises, which
may help you return to daily activities.
What can happen if I do not have physical therapy?
You may experience a delay in the healing process, which
can lead to further pain and loss of motion, and increased
interference with your daily activities. |
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SHOULDER
What is rotator cuff impingement?
Rotator cuff impingement is a pinching of the shoulder
muscle or bursa, which may occur secondary to muscular
weakness, bony structural changes or poor posture, causing
pain, dysfunction or bursitis.
What is bursitis?
Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa of the shoulder,
causing painful arm movements. The bursa, a fluid-filled
sac, is usually located near joints to reduce friction.
What is adhesive capsulitis?
Adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder, is a chronic
inflammation in the shoulder joint, leading to a tightening
of the ligaments and joint that results in decreased motion
and function, pain, and sleep loss.
What occurs postoperative?
After procedures such as rotator cuff repairs, arthroscopes,
and debridement, you may experience loss of motion along
with pain, swelling, muscle tightness, and weakness that
may interfere with your normal daily activities.
How can physical therapy help?
Physical Therapy can reduce the pain and swelling, along
with enhancing the normal healing process, and help return
strength and motion through an individualized rehabilitation
program, thereby returning you to your normal daily activities.
What can happen if I do not have physical therapy?
You may experience a delay in the healing process, which
can lead to scar tissue formation, loss of motion, and/or
loss of function with your arm. |
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SPINE
CARE BASICS
What are spine care basics?
Spine Care Basics is a 2-hour educational training and
exercise program for small groups of back or neck-injured
patients. This class teaches self-care for the spine as
well as prevention of further injuries.
Who can most benefit from spine care basics? Patients
with sub-acute or chronic back or neck pain are best suited
for this training. It is imperative that those with recurring
back pain learn how to manage it to prevent further injury.
What is included in spine care basics?
A brief history and evaluation of each patient are performed.
The anatomy of the spine, correct posture, safe body mechanics,
and proper lifting techniques are then addressed. Participants
practice specific back stretching and strengthening exercises,
as well as learn detailed back care for everyday activities.
Information on nutrition, relaxation, and conditioning
exercises is also included.
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TMJ
What is TMJ?
TMJ is a condition that affects the temporomandibular
(jaw) joint, which leads to muscle spasms and pain, possible
clicking and audible popping in your jaw, headaches, ear
problems, and possible difficulty in opening and closing
your mouth. This may interfere with your ability to concentrate
or perform daily activities such as brushing your teeth
or eating. This may be caused by trauma, postural problems
or oral/dental problems.
How can physical therapy help?
Physical Therapy through exercise and other means can
help reduce pain and muscle tightness, and maintain normal
jaw motion.
What can happen if I do not have physical therapy?
You can have a continuation of problems in your jaw, with
an increase of severity of the pain and/or clicking, and
headaches that lead to further dysfunction. |
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THORACIC
OUTLET SYNDROME
What is thoracic outlet syndrome?
Thoracic outlet syndrome is a compression of the nerves
and arteries as they exit your neck and travel down your
arm. This can lead to numbness and tingling in the entire
arm and hand, vascular changes, loss of motion, muscular
weakness, and difficulties with daily activities such
as gripping, lifting, and overhead motions.
How can physical therapy help?
Physical Therapy can identify the factor for causing compression
and help alleviate this area through postural, strengthening,
and flexibility exercises. This will lead to a decrease
in pain, or numbness and tingling, along with increased
strength and range of motion, with a return to your normal
daily activities.
What can happen if I do not have physical therapy?
Your symptoms may continue to persist and even worsen
with continuation of pain/numbness/tingling and difficulties
with the functional use of your arm. |
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