Injury and Pain Clinic

16/06/2024

12/06/2024

Achilles tendonopathy!

Achilles tendinopathy can be difficult to treat as it’s an injury caused by overload. Sometimes people who start a new exercise class or a sudden increase in your running schedule such as an increase in distance or pace.

With the appropriate treatment plan and sometimes using better footwear can help. Make sure you get a clinician to assess your needs.

09/06/2024

Balance, mobility and coordination is very important as we age.

When we age balance, mobility and coordination reduces, and causes a risk of falls.

28/05/2024

Symptoms of Lupus can be similar to other conditions. Make sure you see a clinician in rheumatology for a diagnosis.

19/05/2024

Steroid injection for osteoarthritis!

What is it?

➡️ The steroid is a synthetic derivative of cortisol that we produce naturally in the adrenal glands.

➡️ The steroid produces an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effect and subsequently help to bring down inflammation thus reducing pain intensity.

➡️ Due to the immunosuppressive effect of steroid injections, some patients will be advised against this by their Doctor.

What is the evidence for steroid injections?

➡️ There is lot of research that shows that if a steroid injection is used at the right time it can help. It can bring intensity of pain down and improve mobility.

➡️ Steroid injections work on a short term basis. It should be administered alongside treatment to improve mobility, balance and strength otherwise you will be back to square one when the injection wears off.

➡️ Repeat injections should not be carried out due to the risks of further tissue damage.

➡️ Some patients do not get any relief. On the other hand some patients can get a few weeks to a few months relief.

➡️ Corticosteroid injections are a low risk procedure. However, patients should be made aware of the risks involved (see below).

12/05/2024

05/05/2024

Your back is robust!

21/04/2024

Pain is complex and many factors can impact on intensity of pain.

➡️ Pain is an unpleasant sensation

➡️ Acute pain is a way of protecting the region that is injured

➡️ Chronic pain (pain that lasts longer than 3 months) is more complex.

➡️ The environment, social, lack of sleep can all be drivers of chronic pain.

➡️ Whilst chronic pain is a long term problem, there are things that can be done to enable you to become more confident, be comfortable with feeling uncomfortable, and allow you time to understand that pain isn’t always an indicator of damage.

➡️ Chronic pain and mental health go hand in hand. A pain management plan should also include help with your mental health. A biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain is the best way of getting good recovery outcome.

17/04/2024

Now that’s putting bedroom to good use! Some nice agility and balance skills!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/e7RhYrtZHtYgJRgm/?mibextid=WC7FNe

14/04/2024

Gout!

Gout is a rheumatology condition. Here are some facts about gout:

➡️ Gout is a kind of inflammatory arthritis

➡️ Gout is very painful and manifests itself with redness to the joint.

➡️ Gout can be painful that you might attend a&e.

➡️ Gout occurs when there is crystallisation of urate.

➡️ Gout affects approximately 2.5% of the population.

➡️ Gout affects more men than women.

➡️ The big toe is commonly affected but it can occur at other joints.

➡️ The more attacks of gout means that you’re more likely to experience gout at multiple joints.

➡️ Conditions such as diabetes, stroke, obesity and kidney problems can increase your risk of developing gout.

➡️ Medication can help.

➡️ Lifestyle can have a role in your risk of getting gout. A diet high in red meat and alcohol can increase your risk of gout.

07/04/2024

Reasons for maintaining some kind of resistance based exercise as we age.

30/03/2024

If you have diabetes it is important to manage it well. If you’re unable to manage it well you should seek medical help as there are serious consequences of poor engagement of diabetes treatment plan.

24/03/2024

Plantar fasciitis!

It can be a difficult and long term problem but things do improve with the right treatment.



(Pictures courtesy of a physio colleague A Meakins)

16/03/2024

Raynauds Phenomenon.

Raynauds is a rheumatology condition. It can be painful and usually occurs in patients who have other rheumatology conditions such as Lupus.

Here are some facts about the condition:

➡️ It is caused due to poor blood circulation to fingers and toes.

➡️ It can be painful

➡️ Due to poor blood circulation, this can impact on nerve function. You could experience numbness and pins and needles.

➡️ People with high blood pressure can be more predisposed to the condition.

➡️ Smoking can increase you chance of developing the condition.

➡️ Medication can cause Raynaud’s phenomenon.

➡️ It can run in family.

➡️ Repeated trauma to the limbs can increase your risk of having ‘attacks’.

➡️ The condition tends to affect women more than men.

03/03/2024

There are many things that can increase chronic pain. Pain is complex and this shows how a multidisciplinary approach is important to allow you to manage pain better.

25/02/2024

Why do I keep getting cramp?

18/02/2024

Resistance training of any kind is important for adults.

It can:

➡️ Reduce the risk of falls

➡️ Improve balance

➡️ Manage osteoarthritis and many other long term pain conditions

➡️ Makes you feel good

➡️ Improves circulation

➡️ Reduces risk on injury

➡️ Improve post-op outcome eg after a knee replacement

➡️ Help with weight loss

04/02/2024

Many people use foam rollers but are not actually fully aware of what foam rolling does and doesnt do.

Here, we debunk the myths of using a foam roller!



Pics courtesy of physio colleague A Meakins

28/01/2024

21/01/2024

What do some injury or conditions feel like?

(Pictures courtesy of A Meakins physio colleague).

14/01/2024

The brain is adaptable. After injury or stroke for instance, the brain can rewire and make new connections.

07/01/2024

Why is strength training at any age important?

➡️ Reduces risk of falls in the elderly

➡️ Maintains good balance and coordination

➡️ Maintains good mobility. Motion is lotion!

➡️ Makes you feel good

➡️ Reduces risk of developing cardiovascular issues.

➡️ helps with preventing other long term health conditions as we age.



Pictures courtesy of A Meakins.

26/12/2023

Chronic pain is complex. It requires a multidisciplinary approach for a good recovery.

Chronic pain is about management of the pain. There is no cure for chronic pain.

26/11/2023

Persistent pain is complex. Your mood can influence your pain levels.



(Pictures from A Meakins)

18/11/2023

The vestibular system can be disturbed during a whiplash injury and sometimes arthritis in the neck. Sometimes it’s issues with the inner ear that can cause an upset to the system.

As you turn your head you can become dizzy/vertigo.

Doing the activities below show how important our vestibular system is in keeping things balanced!

12/11/2023

Anatomical tilts, shifts, malalignment and discrepancies are usually normal for you!

No one has the perfect skeleton!

05/11/2023

😊

29/10/2023

Make your plate colourful. Eating well is important for your mental health and physical health!