Tag Archives: physical therapy

Shopping for a New Ankle

Most of us are familiar with knee and hip replacements, but did you know you can also have an ankle replacement? Also known as total ankle arthroplasty, this surgical procedure involves replacing the ankle joint with an implant. Performed by orthopedic and foot and ankle surgeons, this has become a more commonly accepted practice than […]

Whiplash: Cruising Down the Road to Recovery

You have probably seen those commercials: a somber-looking accident attorney asks if you have been in a car accident, then starts droning on and on about the many physical problems that can result. Even the most minor fender bender, he tells you, can result in years of pain and suffering―usually due to a condition called […]

Clipping the Wings of a Winged Scapula

Sometimes your shoulder may hurt when you reach up to a high shelf, or it may feel weak when you dig in the garden. Perhaps your upper back feels uncomfortable when it presses against the back of your chair. These can be symptoms of scapular winging, a condition distinguished by the unusual appearance of the […]

Falling for Physical Therapy

Physical therapy has dramatically improved the quality of life for individuals recovering from surgery, auto accidents, arthritis or general pain. Although we often think of physical therapy as a reactive therapy to injury, it can also be used as a proactive means to combat falls. A recent study has shown that one out of three […]

Flatfoot: Treatments, Exercises, and Elevating Your Flat Feet

Understanding Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction and Flatfoot Treatment Let’s dive into something you might be familiar with but maybe not in all its detail: posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), commonly known as flatfoot. Flatfoot is not just about having flat feet; there’s a lot more to it, especially when it develops in adulthood and typically […]

Laying Down a New Surface on Your Shoulder

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when cartilage that cushions the joint wears down, causing pain and swelling as the ends of two bones rub together. Although you may be more familiar with arthritis in the knee and hip, it can also affect the shoulder. Although most of us know someone who has […]

Don’t Shed Any Tears for Meniscus Tears

You have been told you have a degenerative meniscus tear in your knee. Don’t blame yourself―you did nothing to bring this on. A degenerative condition results from plain old wear and tear linked to aging—in this case, of the cartilage (usually the medial meniscus) within the knee that serves as a shock absorber. As cartilage […]

Put Your Shoulder Separation Back Together

The shoulder, with the greatest range of motion of any joint in the body, is also one of the most complicated structures in the body. (The shoulder actually includes four different joints.) Because of the shoulder’s wide range of motion, complications may arise when it can’t move around freely or when the complex system of […]

Lose Your Balance, Gain Your Balance

Feeling off-balance can put your world into a tailspin—literally and figuratively. Balance disorders have a long list of causes: inner-ear problems, cognitive or spinal cord injuries, muscle weakness or damage, diabetes, Parkinson disease and even simple aging. Regardless of the cause, balance disorders can put people at high risk for falls and disrupt daily activities […]

Put Your Finger on Flexor Tendon Recovery

Flexor tendon surgery involves the tendons in charge of bending the fingers or thumbs into the palm of your hand. These tendons let you grip a pencil and hold a fork and knife. That is why your hand must be allowed to heal properly after flexor tendon surgery. The awkward-looking splint you have to wear […]