Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Ankle Sprains
Recently published in the Democrat and Chronicle: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20120220/LIVING01/302200053/Health-Checkup-Ankle-sprains
Friday, January 20, 2012
Knee Pain Without Injury
GET HIP TO YOUR KNEES
By
Tony Oliveri, P.T., D.P.T
Anterior knee pain, or “patello-femoral” pain is one of the most common orthopedic problems in adolescents and young adults. It can occur in more than 25% of people in those age groups. Of course, it can occur at just about any age. It is even more common in females than in males. Since there is often no injury that precedes the pain, the diagnosis and treatment is difficult to determine. The pain can come and go for years if the cause remains undetermined.
Research has determined that many individuals with patello-femoral pain also have weak hip muscles. To investigate the theory that hip weakness may lead to knee pain, researchers at the University of Southern California placed individuals with patello-femoral pain on a physical therapy program to strengthen their hips. Patients on the program experienced significant reduction in knee pain. A few of the exercises that can be done at home include sideways leg raises, as well as balancing on one foot, while not allowing the hip to sag to either side.
Along with identifying weak hip muscles, physical therapists and physicians are often able to identify abnormal movement and alignment of the thigh or lower leg which may be putting excessive stress on the patello-femoral joint (or front of the knee). Those problems can be addressed with individually-tailored exercises to correct the movement, strengthen the muscles performing the movement, and reduce knee pain. Those types of exercises are often very successful.
Other treatments that are done for anterior knee pain include quadriceps strengthening, taping of the kneecap, bracing, stretching, ultrasound and electrical muscle stimulation. Hands-on techniques performed by some physical therapists also assist in bringing muscles around the knees into proper balance. In addition, arch supports for the feet are sometimes prescribed to control foot movement, which can improve leg alignment and relieve knee pain. The emphasis on treatment of the body parts and movements connected to the knee has decreased the frequency of surgery for this particular knee problem.
By
Tony Oliveri, P.T., D.P.T
Anterior knee pain, or “patello-femoral” pain is one of the most common orthopedic problems in adolescents and young adults. It can occur in more than 25% of people in those age groups. Of course, it can occur at just about any age. It is even more common in females than in males. Since there is often no injury that precedes the pain, the diagnosis and treatment is difficult to determine. The pain can come and go for years if the cause remains undetermined.
Research has determined that many individuals with patello-femoral pain also have weak hip muscles. To investigate the theory that hip weakness may lead to knee pain, researchers at the University of Southern California placed individuals with patello-femoral pain on a physical therapy program to strengthen their hips. Patients on the program experienced significant reduction in knee pain. A few of the exercises that can be done at home include sideways leg raises, as well as balancing on one foot, while not allowing the hip to sag to either side.
Along with identifying weak hip muscles, physical therapists and physicians are often able to identify abnormal movement and alignment of the thigh or lower leg which may be putting excessive stress on the patello-femoral joint (or front of the knee). Those problems can be addressed with individually-tailored exercises to correct the movement, strengthen the muscles performing the movement, and reduce knee pain. Those types of exercises are often very successful.
Other treatments that are done for anterior knee pain include quadriceps strengthening, taping of the kneecap, bracing, stretching, ultrasound and electrical muscle stimulation. Hands-on techniques performed by some physical therapists also assist in bringing muscles around the knees into proper balance. In addition, arch supports for the feet are sometimes prescribed to control foot movement, which can improve leg alignment and relieve knee pain. The emphasis on treatment of the body parts and movements connected to the knee has decreased the frequency of surgery for this particular knee problem.
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