Tag Archives: Sports Physiotherapy

Shoulder Dislocation

Shoulder Dislocation

Shoulder Dislocation can be a scary experience! A lot of times, the injury happens so quickly that a patient doesn’t even know what has happened to their shoulder. But what they do know is that there is intense pain and that the shoulder joint looks deformed.

Shoulder Dislocation

How does Shoulder Dislocation Happen?

A shoulder dislocation is usually caused by falling onto your shoulder, trying to stop a fall with the hand or getting hit in the shoulder. With this injury, the ball of the humerus, which is the long bone of the upper arm, has come out of its socket, which is part of the shoulder blade. When this happens, the soft tissue structures that make up the shoulder joint are also overstretched and torn. The ball of the humerus can either be moved out through the front or the back of the socket. The direction of the shoulder dislocation depends on how the hit to the shoulder occurred. However, 95% of dislocations occur through the front of the shoulder.

What can be done for a Shoulder Dislocation?

For a large majority of cases, a doctor “pop” the shoulder back into place. This is called closed reduction of the dislocation. The doctor then places the shoulder in a sling to protect the joint while the soft tissues heal. The sling has to be worn between 2-4 weeks depending on the nature of the shoulder dislocation. It is important to wear the sling appropriately because the shoulder joint is now considered unstable. Until the soft tissue structures heal around the shoulder, certain movements can cause the dislocation to occur again. Therefore it is important to follow the doctor’s recommendations on the sling and make an appointment with a Registered Physiotherapist.

How Can Registered Physiotherapy Mississauga Help?

The Registered physiotherapy Mississauga treatment promotes healing of the injured structures. It also prevents the instability from becoming a chronic problem with a good strengthening program. Modalities such as interferential current and Ultrasound help to reduce the pain from injured tissues. Mobilization and stretching is also very important in healing. Your Registered Physiotherapist at PhysioNow will teach you everything that you need to know. Registered Massage Therapy Mississauga can also be very helpful to relieve muscle tension compensating for instability.

Registered Massage Therapy For Shoulder Dislocation

Registered Massage therapy for shoulder dislocation

Will surgery be required for Shoulder Dislocation?

In cases where the shoulder dislocation keeps recurring because damage to the joint and/or soft tissue structures are too severe, surgery can be performed to get the shoulder joint back into place. However, this occurs only in severe cases. Hopefully, with a great Physiotherapist helping you, you will avoid this step! Call PhysioNow today to book your appointment!

Foot Pain Treatment Mississauga

Foot Pain Treatment Mississauga
Trending Now: Blue Jays’ Jose Batista on 15 day disabled list

Foot Pain Treatment Mississauga happens at PhysioNow. Blue Jays’ Jose Batista hurt his big toe during a June 16 game against Philadelphia. After running into the outfield wall, Bautista had to leave the game early because of pain. An MRI showed that he had suffered a sprain of his left big toe and has to be in a walking boot for the time being. It may seem like it’s an excessive treatment plan for just a simple sprain.

Foot Pain Treatment Mississauga

Types of Sprains

In reality sprains can sometimes be more complicated than a fracture. A sprain is defined as a stretch or tear of a ligament. A ligament is a soft tissue structure that connects two bones together. Ligaments do not receive a good blood supply like muscles or tendons and as a result, they do not heal as well. Furthermore, sprains can be classified into three groups based on the severity of injury. A grade I sprain means that there is mild damage to the ligament and the joint is stable. A grade II sprain means that there is a partial tear in the ligament and the joint is overall less stable or loose. The most severe type of sprain is classified as grade III and it means that the ligament has completely torn or ruptured and the joint has lost stability.

Types of Foot Pain Treatment Mississauga: How Can Registered Physiotherapy Help?

A Registered Physiotherapist is able to help with all three types of Foot pain treatment Mississauga. The treatment for sprains usually starts with rest and reducing inflammation. Depending on the severity of the sprain, it may be necessary to immobilize the joint in order for this to occur. For example a grade II sprain may require a removable walking boot. A grade III sprain may require a cast. Once inflammation is reduced and pain is better, treatment seeks to improve range of motion and strength. A full return to activity or sport quickly is the goal of Physiotherapy Treatment Mississauga.

Since Jose Batista has been wearing a walking boot, it seems that his injury is at least a grade II. Considering the poor blood supply of ligaments and the severity of his particular sprain it is definitely best for him to be out of the game for at least 2 weeks. Proper care in the early phase of this injury is very important so that the ligament is well protected. This give Jose the best chance for healing. Once the walking boot comes off, his injury will be re-evaluated and the Blue Jays’ medical team will decide on his further treatment plan and eventual return to play. Custom foot orthotics may also be beneficial depending on the injury.

If you have injured your toes or feet, Give PhysioNow a call today. We can help!

Registered Physiotherapists Mississauga

Registered Physiotherapists Mississauga

Registered Physiotherapists Mississauga are health professionals who specialize in recovery of the body from an illness or injury to the highest level of function possible. Registered Physiotherapists Mississauga can also be called physical therapists. This means the same thing.

Registered Physiotherapists Mississauga

Registered Physiotherapists Mississauga

To become a registered physiotherapist you must attend a university and graduate with a physiotherapy degree. The degree has changed over the years. You may meet some therapists who have an occupational and physiotherapy degree. These therapists are called POTS.

Registered Physiotherapists Mississauga that graduated before the late nineties have a bachelor of science (physical therapy). After the late nineties and more recently, physiotherapist graduates are awarded with a Masters of Science. Regardless of the degree they earned, all Registered physiotherapists in Canada must pass a licensing exam. This allows them to use the term Registered Physiotherapist (RPT). Make sure when you are seeking help, you ask for a Registered Physiotherapist Mississauga.

If you are interested in becoming a Physiotherapist of Physiotherapy Assistant, check out this link.

After Physiotherapists graduate

After graduating, registered physiotherapists will choose to specialize in a certain area. All the Mississauga Registered Physiotherapists at Physionow are orthopedic therapists. This means that they are experts in examining how bones, joints and muscles work. When you arrive for an assessment, they will look at specific movement patterns and strength to determine the best possible treatment program for you. As everyone has different goals, and different injuries, each program is created individually with your needs in mind.

Some of our Mississauga Registered Physiotherapists have secondary specialities including sports, vertigo, acupuncture and sports taping. A sports therapist has extra training to maximize performance including fitness protocols, concussion treatment and nutrition. Acupuncture treatment can be very effective for certain types of injuries such as Tennis elbow, Golfers elbow or Rotator cuff pain. Sports Taping can reduce the load on injured muscles to allow proper healing. Vertigo treatment focuses on reducing dizziness and nausea caused by inner ear and eye problems.

If you have any questions or are wondering if we could help you, please feel free to call our office and ask to see one of our highly skilled Registered Physiotherapists Mississauga.

Knee Arthroscopy

Knee Arthroscopy

knee arthroscopy

Custom Knee Bracing


Knee arthroscopy done by orthopedic surgeons “clean up” or repair the cartilage or meniscus in the knee. Typically, knee meniscus injuries will happen one of two times. A large bucket handle tear is one that creates a three cornered flap. This is much like if you catch the sleeve of your coat on a nail. This flap can be stable or unstable. After the initial swelling and pain heals, a stable flap rests in place and does not interfere with your daily activities and use of your knee. An unstable tear will flip up much like the handle of a bucket. If this is occurs, often your knee will lock and you will have very limited movement in your knee. The second type of meniscal damage is wear and tear, or degeneration. This will consist of tiny tears, called microtears, which create a fraying of the cartilage.
All of the different types of meniscal damage can be treated by knee arthroscopy surgery. There are two small incisions used for this surgery. In one, the surgeon will place a scope, or a small camera. The other incision is used for a tool which will trim or shave the meniscus depending on the damage that has occurred. This procedure is typically a day surgery and you should be able to walk immediately after it is over. Some people prefer to use crutches or a cane, but if all heals well, you should be able to stop using these after a day or two.
Regardless of the injury, researchers are now suggesting that a course of physiotherapy focusing on strengthening and balance, or proprioception, is critical before knee arthroscopy surgery. Studies are indicating such a physiotherapy treatment program can reduce pain and increase function to the same degree as surgery in most cases. This can in some cases eliminate the need for surgery altogether. It also can eliminate the risk of infection and reduce the chances of future osteoarthritis.
Lastly, sometimes, custom knee bracing can be effective to offload the side of the knee that has a meniscus injury.
If you have knee pain, see a physiotherapist today. They can help!
knee arthroscopy

knee arthroscopy

Medical words

Medical words

Tendonitis of the Shoulder

What does it all mean?
As a physiotherapist, I spent 4 years learning how to talk using medical words. And sometimes we forget that our clients do not understand these special medical words. In fact, we forget that we often sound like an adult from a Peanuts movie….. Waa Waa Waa.
So what do all these medical words mean?
First some basic anatomy: a joint is where two bones come together. That is a pretty simple one. But most joints are surrounded by a capsule. This is a leather-like sac that holds fluid that works to lubricate your joint – much like WD40 on a rusty hinge. This fluid is called synovial fluid. This capsule has reinforced and thickened areas called ligaments. The ligaments hold bones together. Finally, joints are controlled by muscles. We have big ones most people know – like the biceps and hamstrings. But there are hundreds of little muscles. These little muscles help us with precision and posture. In order to cause movement, muscles need to be connected to bones. The tissue that makes this connection is a tendon.
So what are the most common injuries? Some of the most common words heard are strain, sprain and tendonitis. A strain is a pull or tear of a muscle and a sprain is a pull or tear of a ligament. Sprains and strains can be graded one, two or three. Imagine that the ligament or tendon is like a rope. Grade one – you have pulled the rope tight, and made it sore. Grade two – you have pulled it hard enough to fray the rope. Grade three – you have pulled the rope in two. Tendonitis is when there is swelling and irritation in the tendon. This is usually due to overwork or poor positioning while doing an activity.
Remember that as physiotherapists, we are there to help you and it is very important to us that you understand what is happening to your body. Please ask any questions that you have, we will be happy to explain any medical words.

Concussion- how do you know if you have one?

Determining if you have a concussion

Concussions have been a hot topic in medicine for a few years, but many people still have questions regarding what exactly concussions are and how they should be treated.

Concussion

Simply, concussions are a bruise to the brain that occurs when the brain hits the inner side of the skull. This usually occurs when the brain has a sudden stop. Studies suggest that you are more likely to get a concussion with a sudden stop if there is rotation, or turning, of the head during the fall or hit. Diagnosing a concussion can be complex as there are no clear tests that can show the damage including MRI or CT Scan. Scientists are working on solving this problem, but there are no clear answers yet. Even the story of how the injury happened can be quite different. You do not have be go unconscious (or be knocked out) to shows signs of a concussion. In fact, you don’t even have to hit your head. Often the sudden forward and back or side to side motion of a quick and jarring stop can be enough.
Doctors and Sport therapists will look at many factors to decide if you have a concussion. They will look at your symptoms such as a headache or dizziness. Even feeling sad or angry more than normal can be a sign of a concussion. They will also assess your balance, ability to concentrate and remember facts to see how your brain is working. Baseline testing for people at higher risk, such as athletes, can be helpful. Then the medical practitioner can compare these results to what was normal for you before you were injured. If you have not had baseline testing, they will compare it to what is average for someone your age. If it has been decided that you do have a concussion, this medical professional can guide you through the proper treatment and process to return to activity.
For more information on this topic please watch “Concussion 101 – Primer for Parents and Kids”, by Dr. Mike Evans.

ACL Tear

ACL Tear

ACL tear

Do you have an ACL tear?  Should you have surgery to repair your ACL tear? This is one of the most common knee injuries. It is typical that if you have only a partial ACL tear- no surgery is recommended. Even if you have suffered a full ACL tear – the decision to have surgery is not always clear.

ACL tear

Factors to consider include: are you a competitive athlete in the prime of your life and do you plan to continue competing in your sport of choice? If the answer is yes, then more than likely, you are going to be advised to proceed with an ACL surgical repair.

ACL Tears

If you have a full ACL tear, but are not a competitive athlete, then the decision to proceed with a surgical approach becomes less certain. For many people, treatment with a skilled physiotherapist can help you to strengthen your muscles around the knee joint. This will support the knee for everyday activities without the use of a brace. You can then continue to participate in sporting activities with the use of a brace.

Braces are now available in lightweight comfortable materials that are reasonably unobtrusive and effective at protecting your knee from further injury. Bledsoe custom knee bracing is on the leading edge of sports injury bracing and can be purchased through our office.

If you decide to proceed with the surgery, be advised that the surgery is significant and the recovery typically takes between 6 to 12 months with the close supervision of a trained Registered Physiotherapist. Check out this link to consider if surgery is the right decision for you.

Surgery does not guarantee a perfect outcome – it always comes with the possibility of unintended consequences. A proper Physiotherapy rehabilitation program can mitigate these factors and assist you with your recovery! We have Sports Physiotherapists trained to do the post-surgical rehabilitation program at our offices.

Call today to book a pre surgical consult with one of our skilled physiotherapists or to get fitted for a custom knee brace. We can facilitate the decision making process if you wish. Call PhysioNow today to get started!

Headaches : Neck Pain

Headaches : Neck Pain

Have you ever suffered from Headaches : Neck Pain in the past?

Headaches : Neck Pain title=

Have you ever considered that the two might be related? Is it possible that your neck pain might be causing your headaches? It just might be that you are right! If your neck is “stuck” in one place, it can cause muscle spasm and long lasting pain that can shoot right up into your head causing chronic Headaches: Neck Pain.

Check out this link for further information about headaches.

Headaches: Neck Pain title=

Is your computer set off to the side so that you have to always look one way to work?
Do you sleep on your tummy? Do you hold the phone between your ear and your shoulder?

All of these can cause problems with your neck! The good news is that a physiotherapist can often help with this problem. Restoring the natural movement in your neck just might solve your headache problems too!

A registered physiotherapist is trained to fully assess your neck movement and look for areas that are not moving properly. Call today to see if your Headaches : Neck Pain can be solved by a physiotherapist. In one visit it is possible to identify if your Headaches : Neck Pain may be related. Treatment starts on the first day. Pain relief may be one visit away!

How Can Registered Physiotherapy Help?

Registered Physiotherapy can help to solve the problem very easily by using gentle machines to reduce the pain from Headaches: Neck Pain. Treatment usually includes some gentle hands on massage and stretching to help your neck to move better again. This comfortably takes the pain away and lets you get back to your life!

The last important part of physiotherapy is to teach you some simple stretches that will help to keep the pain away. As a final step, we talk about how to avoid having the headaches and neck pain come back.
Call PhysioNow today to get started!