A physical therapist can help condition your body

A doctor can help you discover the root of you problem and can give you options to assist you in your recovery, and to avoid a recurrence. Many times a physical therapist can help condition your body in areas where it feels the most strained. This will vary depending on the sport or activity that you are involved in. Proper diet and the right form of exercise are essential in preventing orthopedic injuries.

Drinking plenty of water is also a huge factor.

Many people become dehydrated leaving them more prone to getting injured. There are also medical devices such as braces and wraps that can be worn while being active. These devices not only help you avoid injury, but will also aid in the recovery of an injury, allowing that part of the body to protected from strain. In some cases, medicines can be used to alleviate chronic pain, and to avoid costly and uncertain surgeries.

Sometimes an injury occurs when a person fails to use proper exercise methods, or it could be caused by another person, either accidental or on purpose. None the less, the injuries do occur and need to be addressed properly, and promptly. In some cases an injury can be so bad that it is irreversible, but in most cases, the proper physical therapy can result in the person’s return to the sport or activity that caused their injury.

Seek out a Physical Therapist if you are Injured while Playing Sports

If you find yourself injured because of sports, it’s important that you seek the proper medical treatment for the injury. The second thing that needs to be done is to find a sports therapist. Sports therapists’ specialize in conditioning your body so you will be able to get back in to the proper shape. Conditioning begins after your doctor treats you for the injury itself.

Most Hospitals and Clinics have References to Professional Sports Therapists

When looking for a therapist on your own, use the words “Pro Sports Therapy”, or “Advance Sports Therapy” in your search, either online or in the phone book. These are the terms that are most often used when dealing with sports related injuries… Interview the actual therapist and check out his past experiences… You may want to check with a local pro sports team, for advice on who to use for your physical therapy.

And of course, if you live near New Fairfield, Connecticut; Danbury, Connecticut or Brewster, New York, contact Physical Medicine of New York and Connecticut.

Avoiding Injury is Ideal and a Good Physical Therapist can help you

Having your body in proper condition is essential. This helps you avoid injury. Massage and proper work out techniques are also great ways to avoid sports injuries. A good physical therapist should be able to assist you in avoiding sports injuries.

What does the Physiatrist do?
The physiatrist is the individual who establishes the plan of care, listens and helps the patient with decisions regarding their care. A physiatrist will always treat conservatively and use a non-surgical approach initially.

The plan of care may include therapeutic exercise implemented by a physical therapist, modalities, medication and holistic treatments, such as, acupuncture.

Physiatry uses a multidisciplinary approach
Physiatry is a discipline for managing disorders, involving an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, or a chiropractor to name a few. Some conditions that are treated include, low back pain, sports injuries, stroke, fibromyalgia, and arthritis.

Physiatrists are trained to perform needle electromyographies and nerve conduction studies to better diagnosis neuromuscular disorders.

Sports Injuries present Unique Challenges
Just turn on ESPN’s highlight show, Sportscenter, and you will see a 10 minute segment dedicated solely to injuries acquired during the most recent professional sporting events. Some of these injuries are more serious than others; however each one presents a unique challenge to the health care practitioners following that athlete’s care.

Physical therapists often bear the brunt of the load
Rehabilitating a baseball pitcher’s rotator cuff tear is very different than rehabilitating a football running back’s torn ACL. Physical therapists often bear the brunt of the load that is placed on the treating clinicians. As a physical therapist, we are trained to evaluate and treat orthopedic injuries without diagnostic imaging, such as x-rays and MRI’s, and we are expected to develop a comprehensive and coherent treatment plan that will return an athlete to his/her sport in as short a time as possible.

The Physical therapist is the 1-on-1 clinician
This is no easy task! Of course, more often than not, there is an orthopedic medical doctor that is also overseeing an athlete’s care and coordinating the treatment plan with the physical therapist. The therapist, however, is the only clinician that is 1-on-1 with the athlete each and every treatment day.

Physical Therapy can be a balancing act
We are constantly and consistently evaluating and updating the treatment protocols in order to progress them safely, effectively, and in a timely manner for full return to sport. Sometimes, balancing all 3 can be a very tricky task. Progressing an athlete too quickly through their treatment for the purposes of an early return to active duty can put them at a high risk for re-injury.

Conversely, being too conservative in their progression will slow their return unnecessarily and put their team at a disadvantage. It is the responsibility of every physical therapist to use their knowledge and training to make the appropriate decisions regarding the care of their patients.

Hip injuries can be acute or chronic
This means they have been developing over the years and these may require surgery. Injuries may entail muscle strains, arthritis, bursitis or degenerative joint disease. All of these injuries and others can be resolved with the right therapy program.

Hip Rehab program
A hip rehab program may consist of stretching of the muscles being that muscle imbalances can contribute to limited range of motion. Soft tissue mobilization is used to loosen the tight areas surrounding the hip. Postural alignment may be addressed to see if there is any leg length issues, hip or spine misalignment, which contributes to pain. Chiropractors focus on this as well, and utilize manipulation to help re-align the spine. The program should also include strengthening not only the hip but also knees and ankles so all the joints are stronger after the injury and can work together.

Hip rehab exercises may consist of:

• Ankle pumps: pushing your foot up and done.
• Ankle rotations: clock wise and counter clockwise
• Heel slides: sliding your foot toward the buttock.
• Quadricep set: with a straight leg tighten your front thigh muscle hold for 5 to 10 seconds.
• Buttock contractions: tighten your buttocks muscles and hold for 5 to 10 seconds.
• Straight Leg Raise: with your leg straight, tighten your thigh muscle and lift the leg up a few inches and hold 5 to 10 seconds, control the leg on the way down. This can be done in standing.
• Hip abduction: can be done in sidelying or standing. With leg straight bring the leg out to the side and the lower it to the start position.
• Hip extension: can be done lying on your stomach or in standing. Lift your leg backward slowly keeping the body straight, hold for a few seconds and lower it.
• Standing knee raises: lift the leg up to the waistline and lower it.
• The above exercises can be done 10 times each, 2-3 times a day.

Stretching:

• Hamstring stretch: lying on your back, bring one knee into the chest. Holding behind the thigh and straighten knee til you feel a stretch.
• Hip Flexor: lie on your back at the edge of the bed or table, keeping both knees into the chest, lower one leg, make sure to keep it straight and the switch legs.
• Piriformis: on your back, both knees are bent, cross left ankle over right knee and pull right knee towards chest.

Stretches should be performed 3- 5 times and held 10-30 seconds.

There are devices and shoes that can assist person with Drop Foot

This can be an alternative to an expensive surgery, or to delay any other costly medical treatments. These devices will not cure the problem but will assist the person in walking and being able to do things they normally could never do.

Some Drop Foot devices are very simple

Some shoe orthopedics as well as lower leg braces, and ankle supports can help with drop foot and assist in proper walking techniques. These items can be found in most physical therapy and medical supply stores. It’s important that you see a doctor to get the proper diagnosis. You will want to be careful not to wear these devices improperly or if not needed, because this can cause even worse problems. In serious drop foot cases, such as with strokes and nerve damage, there are medical procedures that can be performed. These procedures are used with some stroke victims and other very severe cases.

The knees contain bones, ligaments, cartilage, tendons, and fluid
This is why so many things can go wrong with the knees, and it takes a doctor visit to figure out the problem.

Pain or aches on the inside of the knee could be many things
First it has to be determined if this was caused by trauma to the knee or an accident. If this is the case, the pain could be from torn ligaments, or medial (inside) cartilage. In addition to trauma or injury to the knee, arthritis is also a known cause of aches on the inside of the knee. Torn cartilage or ligaments are very painful, so it is impossible that this could happen without the person feeling the initial pain.

Any injury to the inside knee, or consistent pain should be taken seriously
Inside knee injuries may sometimes only hurt while in use and there may be no pain at all when resting. The injuries can make also come with sounds such as, clicking, or popping noises. Often if untreated the knee well become swollen.

In a case of arthritis, there may be some swelling but there is usually no need for surgery
Generally, wear and tear over the years causes arthritis pain. Doctors typically treat arthritis with medications, and walking aids to alleviate the pain.

Young people who sustain a knee injury, or have a medical condition resulting in knee pain, should have knee surgery if the doctor recommends it. The knees are important in just about every activity in a young person’s life. Getting surgery is important, so the person can become active again, while they are young. Waiting too long will result in time lost when the person is active and young. Younger people tend to be more active, so it is only logical that the person gets healthy as fast as they can.

Young people who have knee surgery face a greater risk for more knee surgeries in the future. This is because young people tend to be more active, thus there are much more opportunities to sustain a knee injury. This should not prevent us from getting knee surgery at a younger age. We cannot get time back, and it is more important that our bodies are healthier when we are young, when we tend to be more active. Young people also tend to take more risks, and may not follow medical recommendations. This makes them candidates for further possible surgeries.

Following doctor’s advice, as well as knowing your limitations will lower your chances of having further knee surgeries.