Ask a Physiotherapist Nigeria

20/10/2025

In November 2020, while visiting family in Arizona, pro skateboarder and model Brooklinn Khoury was attacked by a relative’s pit bull. The dog viciously bit off her entire upper lip and part of her nose, resulting in severe facial injuries that required immediate medical attention.

Since then, Brooklinn has undergone at least seven reconstructive surgeries. Her journey began in December 2021 when doctors used skin from her arm to reconstruct her upper lip. Subsequent procedures focused on improving her breathing, reshaping her nose, and reconstructing the structure and symmetry of her lip.

20/10/2025

Oral candidiasis??? Underlying pathologies apart from secondary causes??? Primary aetiogies of immunosuppression????

What’s the diagnosis???

20/10/2025

The medical staff of an organ-donation operation bow to pay tribute to a young female organ donor who has saved multiple human lives. Medicine requires humanity, and sometimes humanity is well served! Comment a heart to show respect

20/10/2025

😳 Unfortunately, these individuals are no longer with us. What you’re witnessing are forensic X-rays—a crucial tool in contemporary investigations. They enable experts to:

- Examine and document internal tissues and bone structures
- Assist in identifying victims
- Determine the cause and mechanism of death
- Locate foreign objects, such as bullets or shrapnel
- Provide critical evidence in criminal and legal cases

Forensic radiology bridges the gap between science and justice, giving the voiceless a voice and helping solve mysteries that bones alone cannot reveal.

20/10/2025

🦶 Achilles tendinopathy is characterized by localized pain.
▪ The site of pain varies depending on whether the condition is mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy or insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

📍 When patients are questioned about the location of the pain, they generally describe one of two distinct sites:
▪ Midportion of the Tendon: Patients may describe the pain by pinching the midportion of the tendon with two fingers.
▫ This area is typically located 2 to 6 cm above the calcaneum (heel bone).
▫ Midportion Achilles tendinopathy is reported to be more common than insertional Achilles tendinopathy.
▪ Insertional Area: Patients may point to a localised area at the posterior calcaneum.
▫ This presentation is defined as insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

⚠️ It is important to note that certain differential diagnoses are encompassed within the insertional category, such as:
▪ Haglund’s deformity
▪ Retrocalcaneal bursitis
▫ Both have overlapping symptoms.

🏃 Achilles tendinopathy, regardless of the site, is also characterized by impaired locomotor function, including walking, running, and jumping.

📈 Pain severity and impact on function typically increase gradually.
▪ Initially, people may report minor pain or stiffness upon weight-bearing after prolonged rest or sleep (known as ‘morning stiffness’ or ‘arising pain’) or pain upon commencing activity that improves after a few minutes (‘warm-up’ phenomenon).
▪ As the condition progresses, symptoms may persist throughout active periods and severely limit function.

17/10/2025

Spine examination special tests 👨‍⚕️


👉Special tests used during physical exam low back pain

》Modified Schober’s test: Ankylosing Spondylitis
》Straight leg raise (SLR) test: Herniated Disc
》Reverse Lasègue test (femoral stretch test):
Lumber radiculopathy
》Lasègue sign (sciatic stretch test):lumbar disc hernia or piriformis syndrome
》Crossover sign : Sciatica
》Bowstring test : herniated lumbar disc


▪️Spurling’s test
▪️Shoulder abduction test
▪️Lhermitte’s sign
▪️Romberg’s sign
▪️Adson’s test
▪️Roos’ test
▪️Compression test
▪️Distraction test



🔹️Exposure

🔹️Look

🔹️Feel

🔹️Move

●Measurements

》Linear measurement

》Chest expansion

》Limb length discrepancy

■Movements

🔲Cervical spine

○Forward flexion
•Normal: 0 to 50 degrees

○Extension
•Normal: 0 to 60 degrees

○Lateral flexion
•Normal: 0 to 45 degrees

○Lateral rotation
•Normal: 0 to 80 degrees

🔲Thoracic and lumber spine

🔹️Forward flexion (Schober’s test)
•Normal: 90 degrees

🔹️Extension
•Normal: 30 degrees

🔹️Lateral flexion to left and right
•Normal: 30 to 45 degrees

🔹️Rotation to left and right
•Normal: 45 degrees

■Neurological examination

▪︎Tone

▪︎Power
▪︎Gait
▪︎Reflex
》Knee jerk
》Ankle jerk
》Babinski's test
》Clonus

▪︎Sensation:
》Temperature
》Touch

▪︎Dermatomes

🔸️Upper Limb

▪️C5 - Lateral forearm

▪️C6 - Lateral forearm, thumb and index finger

▪️C7 - Middle finger

▪️C8 - Ring and little fingers with medial forearm

🔸️Lower limb

▪️L1 - groin

▪️L2 - anterior thigh

▪️L3- anterior knee

▪️L4- Medial aspect of leg

▪️L5 - Lateral aspect of leg, dorsal aspect of foot

▪️S1- Lateral aspect of foot

▪️S2- posterior aspect of leg and thigh

▪️S3, S4- perianal region

▪︎Myotomes
🟧Myotomes: Nerve root and test

C5 = Elbow flexion (biceps, brachialis)

C6= Wrist extension (extensor carpi radialis longus/brevis)
C7= Elbow extension (triceps)

C8 = Finger flexion (flexor digitorum profundus to middle finger)

T1 = Finger abduction (dorsal interossei)

L2= Hip flexion (iliopsoas)

L3= Knee extension (quadriceps)

L4= Ankle dorsiflexion (tibialis anterior)

L5= Great toe extension (extensor hallucis longus)

S1= Ankle plantarflexion (gastrocnemius, soleus)

11/10/2025

Zobo (Hibiscus sabdariffa) naturally lowers blood pressure because it contains anthocyanins, hibiscus acid, and polyphenols that dilate blood vessels and enhance sodium excretion. For someone with low BP, this worsens hypotension, causing dizziness, weakness, or even fainting. It’s not “just juice”; it’s a potent vasodilator.

The Future of a Generation: Hyperkyphosis from Excessive Screen Use 😬

We’re witnessing a troubling trend — the posture of a generation being reshaped by screens. Hours spent hunched over phones, tablets, and laptops are leading to a condition known as hyperkyphosis — an excessive forward curvature of the upper spine.

What was once seen mostly in the elderly is now appearing in teenagers and young adults, their necks craned downward for hours each day. The constant strain on the spine, shoulders, and neck muscles gradually alters posture, causing the classic “tech neck” or hunchback appearance.

Beyond looks, the consequences run deeper: chronic pain, reduced lung capacity, nerve compression, and long-term musculoskeletal damage. Doctors warn that these posture issues, left unchecked, could become one of the most widespread lifestyle-induced deformities of the 21st century.

It’s a silent epidemic of our digital age — one text, one scroll, one slouch at a time.