A major component of our goal as physiotherapists is to educate patients about their condition. Research shows repeatedly that simply understanding the nature of the problem can aid patients in recovery. On this page you’ll find links to information about a range of conditions we commonly treat and various other useful resources.
Baker’s Cyst
A Baker’s Cyst is a cyst filled with fluid that can form at the back of the knee. When symptomatic a Baker’s Cyst can result in knee pain. Causes The body produces synovial fluid to assist in lubrication of joints. This helps to reduce friction and make these joints easier to move. However, occasionally the...
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is technically classified as an entrapment neuropathy. This means that the nerve is damaged at sites where it passes through narrow or restricted spaces. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common entrapment neuropathy and results from compression of the median nerve when it travels through the ‘carpal tunnel’ in the wrist. The...
Cervicogenic Headache
With over 200 types of headaches and migraines now classified, research has shown that different headache and migraine conditions may share a common disorder. So, if we can effectively learn to treat headaches by influencing that common disorder, then we may be able to have an effect across the entire range of headaches that exist....
Dupuytren’s Contracture
What is Dupuytren's Contracture? Dupuytren's contracture is a benign, progressive condition where one or more fingers can become locked in a permanently flexed (bent) position. Typically, the condition is not painful however some aching may be present. The main concern with Dupuytren’s is the significant impact on activities of daily living, making tasks such as...
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) Syndrome
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome is a movement disorder of the hip, resulting in symptomatic contact between the thigh bone and hip bone. The common term for this syndrome is 'hip impingement'. It is associated with specific symptoms, clinical findings, and imaging findings. Diagnosis The diagnosis of FAI syndrome is made by combining the results of...
Frozen Shoulder / Adhesive Capsulitis
Frozen shoulder, adhesive capsulitis, ‘50 year old shoulder’, and frozen shoulder contracture syndrome. All names used to describe the same condition. The multiple nomenclature used to describe this condition shows a poor overall understanding on what is occurring. Is there a freezing and thawing stage as suggested by the word ‘frozen’, or is there formation...
Gluteal Tendinopathy
Gluteal tendinopathies are becoming one of the most common reasons for lateral (outside) hip pain in individuals. Your hip/buttock is made up of three main muscles; gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and glutes minimis. These muscles attach onto your sacrum and across onto the hip bone (greater trochanter), where they attach at the hip bone is...
Hamstring Strains
The hamstrings are a group of muscles that cover the posterior (back of the) thigh. The hamstrings are made up of three separate muscles; Biceps Femoris (short and long head)SemimembranosusSemitendinosus The job of the hamstrings is to flex the knee, adduct the thigh and extend the hip. They aren’t used heavily in standing and walking;...
Lisfranc Injury
What is a Lisfranc Injury? Lisfranc injuries or fractures are midfoot injuries where the metatarsal bone displaces from the tarsal bone. It predominantly occurs at the 2nd tarsometatarsal joint and the corresponding Lisfranc ligament. Injuries can range from a subluxation of the joint to a dislocation involving a fracture. Anatomy of the Midfoot Five bones,...
Mallet Finger Injuries (Baseball Finger)
Mallet finger injuries are injuries that occur to the tendon responsible for straightening the tip of our finger. They are classified as a flexion deformity injury due to the inability of the individual to straighten their fingertip. This results in a fingertip that is held in a bent or flexed position. Anatomy Tendons are what...
Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)
What is Golfer's Elbow? Most people have heard of Tennis Elbow, but fewer know of Golfer’s Elbow, the common term for medial epicondylitis. While it is very similar to Tennis Elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, Golfer’s Elbow affects the bony bump on the inside of the elbow. It is not caused by inflammation of the tendons...
Osteitis Pubis
What is Osteitis Pubis? Osteitis Pubis is an inflammation of the pubic symphysis, the cartilage that joins the two pubic bones, of the pelvis. The inflammation can also extend to muscle insertions in the surrounding area. First described in 1924 by a urologist who noticed inflammation in post suprapubic surgical patients, it is characterised by...
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome is broad term used to describe pain experienced around the kneecap (patella) or the surrounding tissues. Symptoms: Dull ache experienced in the front of kneePain begins gradually and slowly intensifiesPain during exercise that requires repetitive bending of the knee (running, jumping etc)Can be experienced in both knees at the same time. Pain...
Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy (PGP)
Our pelvic girdle is made up of three stable structures; two hip bones (ilium) and the sacrum. The joints where the two ilium attach posteriorly onto the sacrum are called your sacroiliac joints and where they attach anteriorly is called the pubic symphysis These joints are connected by strong supportive ligaments and musculature. During pregnancy...
Pessary Information
What is a Pessary? A vaginal pessary is a non-surgical option to treat pelvic organ prolapse. The vaginal pessary is a silicone plastic device that sits high up inside the vagina to support the pelvic organ prolapse. A pelvic organ prolapse is where the bladder, uterus or bowel collapses down into the vagina or onto...
Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis syndrome is a musculoskeletal condition caused by the dysfunction of the Piriformis muscle (located in the buttock). It occurs when the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve, which runs down the back of the leg. This can result in symptoms around the buttocks and also extending down the leg. Anatomy The piriformis muscle originates...
Plantar Heel Pain
Plantar heel pain is an umbrella term used to describe pain on the under surface of the heel. Historically, we have tended to relate this pain to the plantar fascia, and hence the term 'plantar fasciitis' was coined. The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous band of tissue originating from your heel and extending towards...
Pubic Symphysis Pain
Your pubic symphysis is located anteriorly where your two pelvic bones meet. It is held together by a fibro-cartilaginous interpubic disc. Pain is present when there is excessive movement of this joint either forwards or side to side. What Causes Pubic Symphysis Pain? This condition is more common in pregnant women, as their body...
Rectus Diastasis (Abdominal Separation)
Rectus Diastasis also know as ‘abdominal separation’ is a condition that occurs predominantly during pregnancy, whereby the abdominal muscles separate away from each other at the midline (linea alba). Two thirds of pregnant women will have it. Why does it occur? During pregnancy your body releases a hormone called relaxin that causes ligaments and fascia...
Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) Pain
Your sacroilliac joints (SIJ) are the two joints either side of your sacrum that connect your pelvis together. The main function of the sacroilliac joint is to absorb the shock between the upper body and your pelvis and legs. Typically there is very little movement through the SIJ as it is held together by strong...
Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)
What are shin splints? Shin splints is the common term for Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS), a pain experienced along the lower two thirds of the inside edge of the tibia (shin bone). This condition is caused by repeated trauma and stress to the connective tissue around the tibia and presents as a dull ache...
Syndesmosis
An ankle syndesmosis injury is a common cause of pain at the front (anterior) of your ankle. This injury is also referred to as a high ankle sprain as it affects the ligaments above the ankle joint. Whilst an ankle syndesmosis injury is less common than your traditional ankle sprain, the associated symptoms are often...
Whiplash Associated Disorder
What is Whiplash? A whiplash injury is one to the muscles, soft tissue and tendons of the neck that is sustained by sudden movement in any direction and then back with speed. It commonly occurs with impact from the rear direction, while in a stationary position. The movement of the head extends beyond the normal...