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LOWER-Body Conditions
Hip, Knee, Ankle & Foot
HIP
HIP PAIN
Hip pain can be the result of several different factors and activities. Since the hip is a major weight-bearing joint, hip pain can be a common problem. Pain may result from activities such as walking, running, rising, and climbing stairs.
Physical Therapy can help improve hip strength and mobility through prescribed treatments by a physical therapist. Exercises to improve the mobility or strength of your hip are important to keeping your hip healthy. Simple exercises performed once daily are a good way to keep the hips working properly. As hip pain improves, advanced hip strengthening is another method used to maximize hip function.
PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME
Piriformis Syndrome (a neuromuscular disorder) develops due to irritation or compression of your sciatic nerve near your piriformis muscle. Physical therapy is vital to the treatment of piriformis syndrome. This therapy focuses on ideal methods for stretching the piriformis muscle, and other stretches targeting the hamstrings.
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Physical Therapy is one of the most popular treatments for Piriformis Syndrome. After our physical therapy team evaluates your condition, they will develop a treatment plan with targeted exercises for Piriformis Syndrome to ease any spasms and pain in the piriformis muscle. They often include heat therapy to help the piriformis muscle relax. Other techniques that may be included are: Ultrasound, Deep massage, Soft-tissue mobilization, Stretching exercises, Muscle strengthening, and/or Strength conditioning.
KNEE
ACL RECONSTRUCTION
ACL surgery is the repair or reconstruction of the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). Complete ACL Tears are usually treated by sports medicine physicians and orthopedic surgeons. When ACL reconstruction surgery is performed, the torn ligament is replaced with a tissue graft to mimic the natural ACL.
Physical Therapy focuses on helping patients regain their ability to have a full range of motion in their lower leg, decreasing knee pain, while gaining strength. Treatment for recovery from ACL Reconstruction may include the use of electrical stimulation and balance exercises provided by your professional Physical Therapist.
DIFFICULTY WALKING (KNEE ISSUES)
Knee pain can occur from disease, overuse, injury, or trauma. The most common cause of knee pain is Osteoarthritis. For runners, osteoarthritis is not uncommon due to how running can impact the knee.
Physical therapy helps with knee pain in numerous ways. As movement experts, physical therapists, can help improve a patient’s quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, prescribed movement and many other treatments options and exercises.
ITB (ILLITOBIAL BAND) SYNDROME
ITBS occurs when excessive irritation causes pain at the outside (or lateral) part of the knee. The iliotibial band, often referred to as the "IT band," is a type of soft tissue that runs along the side of the thigh from the pelvis to the knee. Irritation and inflammation arise from friction between the IT band and underlying structures when an individual moves through repetitive straightening and bending of the knee. Typically, ITBS pain occurs with overuse during activities such as running and cycling.
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To assist with ITBS, your Physical Therapy team creates an individualized treatment plan using treatment strategies that focus on: Range of motion, Manual Therapy, and Functional Training. This includes assessing the motion of your involved leg compared with expected normal motion and the motion of the hip on your uninvolved leg and reviewing muscle strength since hip and core weakness can contribute to ITBS.
JUMPER'S KNEE
Jumper’s Knee (patellar tendonitis) is caused by the overuse or an injury to the knee tendon. This type of injury is most common in sports that involve running and jumping such as, track and field, basketball, and volleyball, as examples.
Our professional Physical Therapists provide treatment designed to rehab the injury and/or prevent overuse. Treatment that includes exercise training to strengthen the knee (patellar) tendon helps alleviate the symptoms and prevents further injury.
POST-SURGICAL REHAB FOR KNEE INJURIES
Knee surgery may be necessary when knee problems result in structural damage to the knee and other conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Physical therapy following knee surgery can help speed up and improve recovery through prescribed treatment and therapeutic exercises. Stretching and range-of-motion exercises can help when joint movement is restricted and can also help improve balance. Post-surgical rehab has a proven history of accelerating the healing process, helping patients regain their mobility faster and with less pain.
SPORTS INJURIES (KNEE)
Knee injuries are very common in athletes. The knee joint can twist or stretch beyond its capacity causing sprains, muscle injuries, and cartilage injuries. Some knee injuries can also be associated with joint swelling. Inflammation of the protective cushioning in the knee joint, or fluid filled sacs inside the knee joint can occur because of excessive wear and tear.
Physical therapy can help reduce pain, restore function and strength, and make the knee more mobile. Physical Therapists provides a rehabilitation program that includes an effective injury prevention program. A physical therapist's goal is to help patients gain strength and restore mobility in the knee as quickly as possible.
ANKLE
ACHILLES TENDONITIS
Achilles Tendonitis is irritation of the Achilles tendon. Achilles tendon pain is one of the most common types of pain. It is felt behind the heel and up the back of the ankle when walking or running. This condition affects both active and inactive individuals and can result in a limited ability to walk, climb stairs, or participate in recreational activities. Twenty-four percent of all athletes develop Achilles Tendonitis, with an estimated 50% of runners experiencing Achilles tendon pain in their running careers.
Physical therapy promotes recovery from Achilles tendinopathy by addressing issues such as pain or swelling of the affected area, and any lack of strength, flexibility, or body control. Our physical therapy team works with our patients with this condition to develop an individualized treatment program that includes education, pain management, manual therapy, gentle exercise, muscle strengthening exercises, range-of-motion treatments and functional training.
ANKLE FRACTURES
Ankle fractures occur when a bone on one or both sides of the ankle is partially or completely broken. Ankle fractures are most often caused by twisting and falling. Ankle injuries also occur during sports activities.
Physical Therapy can help treat an ankle fracture after it has been treated by a physician. After the bone is healed, physical therapy helps patients regain strength, motion and balance. Our trained Strength and Conditioning coaches also help athletes injured during their sport, rehab the skills needs to perform their sport and learn how to prevent injuries going forward.
POST-SURGICAL REHAB FOR ANKLE INJURIES
Overuse or trauma to one or both ankles can mean a significant loss of function and mobility, resulting in the need for ankle surgery. After receiving surgery to repair the ankle, immobilization may be needed that will later impair range-of-motion, strength, and function in the ankle.
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Physical therapy after surgery is an important part of the healing process. Physical therapy can help reduce post-surgery complications such as preventing blood clots, eliminating scar tissue, reducing inflammation, increasing strength and restoring range-of-motion.
FOOT
FOOT ARTHRITIS
Arthritis in the foot can be caused by many different factors but is mostly commonly caused by osteoarthritis (also known as “wear and tear” arthritis). Other causes of foot arthritis may include rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis.
Physical Therapy for the treatment of foot arthritis relieves symptoms and decreases painful movement. Treatment may include different types of exercises and modalities, ice and heat, messages, stretches, and slant board stretches.
SPORTS INJURIES (FOOT)
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Sports-related foot injuries are very common. Plantar Fasciitis and Achilles Tendonitis are two of the most common types of injuries athletes experience.
Physical Therapy provides rehabilitative exercises that can be done in the clinic and at home. Performing these exercises regularly is crucial to the treatment of the injury. These exercises help strengthen, stretch, and rebuild muscles. Manual therapies and massages are methods a physical therapist may include in treatment to help in the recovery process from a sports-related foot injury.