Causes

These may include:

• Autoimmune disorders such as Isaac syndrome.
• Drug overdose (caffeine, amphetamines, or other stimulants).
• Lack of sleep.
• Drug side effect (such as from diuretics, corticosteroids, or estrogens).
• Exercise (twitching is seen after exercise).
• Lack of nutrients in the diet (deficiency).
• Stress.
• Medical conditions that cause metabolic disorders, including low potassium, and kidney disease, and uremia.
• Twitches not caused by disease or disorders (benign twitches), often affecting the eyelids, calf, or thumb. These twitches are normal and quite common, and are often triggered by stress or anxiety . These twitches can come and go, and usually do not last for more than a few days.

Nervous system conditions that can cause muscle twitching include:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig disease)
• Neuropathy or damage to the nerve that leads to a muscle
• Spinal muscular atrophy
• Weak muscles (myopathy)

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if you have long-term or persistent muscle twitches or if twitching occurs with weakness or loss of muscle.

Physiotherapist in Tralee : Phone 086-7700191

Arterial endofibrosis is an unusual condition, but an important one to keep in mind as a differential diagnosis, especially in the case of cyclists. When an athlete  bends forward and exercises(say like cyclists), it can put pressure on and/or cause a kink in the arteries supplying the working muscles of the leg with oxygen, sugars and so forth.  The artery affected  is usually one of the external iliac arteries which supply the majority of blood to each leg, from the heart.

The theory is that the longer time spent bending forward and exercising, the more the artery can be kinked and irritated. Over time, the body responds to this irritation by making the artery harder, thereby reducing the irritation to the artery (a good outcome), but this hardening also reduces the blood supply to the leg when exercising (a bad outcome for bike racers).

With Arterial endofibrosis the patient typically complains of weakness and cramping, ‘bursting’ or aching pain of a single leg only during heavy efforts on the bike.  They can’t ride through it, and in fact, the the harder they try, the worse it gets.  The onset is usually slow, over months, but extremely consistent. Always with increasing intensity comes decreasing strength.

The patient may get treated by a number of therapists often misdiagnosing the condition, and diagnosing some other exotic sounding condition instead. One thing remains constant though; the symptoms persist. A simple, but not always conclusive test that doctors perform is to exercise the patient, then take their blood pressure at their arm and at their ankle.  In a normal patient these two measurements will be the same or similar.  In a patient with the problem, the blood pressure in the ankle of the effected leg will be lower (because it is getting less blood).

More invasive tests may follow.   Treatment to correct the condition involves surgery. Often it is difficult to confirm the condition with absolute certainty.  This is important because the surgery carries risk, so you really want to be as sure as possible.  Surgery involves cutting out the kinked bit and sewing in another bit of vein from your leg instead, referred to as a ”patch”. Because a vein is a bit ‘flimsier’ than an artery, it bends a bit better. An artery has a muscular wall – which is why it pulses, making a patch using a piece of artery less suitable. Also you can ‘spare’ a bit of vein more than you can spare artery, and as a rule arteries run deep and are harder to harvest.

Return to cycling needs to be managed carefully post surgery, and has to be done under close medical supervision. However, the cyclist can eventually resume normal training/competition etc.

For more information see this video

 

 

Physiotherapists in Tralee. Open early until late. Phone 086-7700191.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that causes numbness, tingling and weakness in the hand and arm. The condition is caused by  compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway on the palm side of your wrist. The median nerve runs from your neck  down along the arm and through the carpal tunnel to your hand. It provides sensation to the palm side of your thumb and fingers, except the little finger. It also provides nerve signals to move the muscles around the base of your thumb .  Anything that squeezes or irritates the median nerve in the carpal tunnel space may lead to this condition. The anatomy of your wrist, health problems and possibly repetitive hand motions may also contribute.   A wrist fracture can narrow the carpal tunnel and irritate the nerve, as can the swelling and inflammation resulting from rheumatoid arthritis.

Proper treatment usually relieves the tingling and numbness and restores wrist and hand function. It is worth noting that carpal tunnel syndrome is often misdiagnosed and the main site of median nerve compression can be occurring up at neck and shoulder level. Often by freeing up neck and shoulders muscles and surrounding joints with physio as well as working out muscles down along the arm through which the median nerve penetrates, and loosening and stretching the wrist structures, much relief, often total relief can often be achieved.

 

Symptoms

Syndrome symptoms usually start gradually.

Numbness: The first symptoms are usually tingling or numbness usually in the thumb, index and middle or ring fingers, but not your little finger. The sensation may travel from your wrist up your arm. These symptoms often occur while holding a steering wheel, phone or newspaper. The sensation may wake you from your sleep.

Weakness: You may experience weakness in your hand and a tendency to drop objects. This may be due to the numbness in your hand or weakness of the thumb’s pinching muscles, which are also controlled by the median nerve.

 

Carpal Tunnel Risk factors

A number of risk factors have been associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.  Although they may not directly be the cause , they may increase your chances of developing or aggravating median nerve damage.

These include:

Anatomic factors: wrist fracture, dislocation, or arthritis that deforms the small bones in the wrist, can alter the space within the carpal tunnel and put pressure on the median nerve.

Sex: It is generally more common in women. This may be because the carpal tunnel area is relatively smaller in women than in men.

Nerve-damaging conditions: Some chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, increase your risk of nerve damage.

Inflammatory conditions: Illnesses that are characterized by inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can affect the lining around the tendons in your wrist and put pressure on your median nerve.

Obesity : Being obese is a significant risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Alterations in the balance of body fluids. Fluid retention may increase the pressure within your carpal tunnel, irritating the median nerve. This is common during pregnancy and menopause. Carpal tunnel syndrome associated with pregnancy generally resolves on its own after pregnancy.

 

Carpal Tunnel Diagnosis

History of symptoms, Physical examination. Nerve tension tests.

X-ray. Some doctors recommend an X-ray of the affected wrist to exclude other causes of wrist pain, such as arthritis or a fracture.

Electromyogram. This test measures the tiny electrical discharges produced in muscles. During this test, your doctor inserts a thin-needle electrode into specific muscles to evaluate the electrical activity when muscles contract and rest. This test can identify muscle damage and also may rule out other conditions.

Nerve conduction study. In a variation of electromyography, two electrodes are taped to your skin. A small shock is passed through the median nerve to see if electrical impulses are slowed in the carpal tunnel. This test may be used to diagnose your condition and rule out other conditions.

Treatment

If the condition is diagnosed early, nonsurgical methods may help improve carpal tunnel syndrome. Physical therapy by a practitioner experienced in this area can be very effective. This would most like involve deep tissue work, osteopathic manipulations, electroacupuncture and postural correction exercises, and nerve glide exercises as the condition improves. Other treatment options include wrist splinting, taking more frequent breaks to rest your hands, avoiding activities that worsen symptoms, medications(Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) icing, rest etc. Surgery is also an option but is a last resort.

 

For treatment of this condition contact us on 0867700191

 

For more information see this video

 

 

 

 

Muscle Tear or Spasm ? Which is it ?

When somebody first presents in clinic with a muscle injury, it is important to first determine whether it is a muscle spasm or a tear. A spasm/cramp can often be worked out in a session with deep tissue massage and maybe some dry needling and stretching, allowing almost immediate turn to training. A muscle tear takes much longer to recover from, the length of time greatly depending on the degree of tearing. Treatment takes longer and a rehabilitation program is also essential.  A muscle spasm is caused by an involuntary contraction of that muscle. It is usually sudden, can cause significant pain and can limit the use of the muscle for a short period of time.

What is a Spasm?

 A muscle spasm is an involuntary contraction of that muscle. It is usually sudden, can cause significant pain and can limit the use of the muscle for a short period of time.

Spasm Causes

Spasms are usually caused by problems such as overworking a muscle, poor hydration, electrolyte imbalances, insufficient blood flow to the muscle or nerve compression. A pulled muscle is actually a tear in the muscle tissue. This occurs when the muscle is strained to the point where the muscle is damaged. The more significant the strain, the more the muscle can be torn.

What is a Muscle pull/Tear?

A pulled muscle is actually a tear in the muscle tissue. This occurs when the muscle is strained to the point where the muscle is damaged. The more significant the strain, the more the muscle can be torn.Pulled muscles are usually the result of not preparing the muscle for work through proper stretching, placing too much tension on the muscle or over-using the muscle. Soreness in the affected muscle is usually the first symptom. Using the muscle will be painful and difficult. In severe pulls, bruising may be present. The affected muscle will become very tender to the touch and some swelling may occur.

Pulled Muscle Causes

Pulled muscles are usually the result of one or a combination of (1) not preparing the muscle for work because of insufficient warmup,(2) lack of a proper stretching program after training to help the muscle recover,(3) placing too much tension on the muscle all of a sudden, (4) or over-using the muscle. Sharp pain in the affected muscle is usually the first symptom. Using the muscle will be painful and difficult. In severe pulls, bruising may be present. The affected muscle will become very tender to the touch and some swelling may occur.

The use of anabolic steroids is frequently linked to severe muscle tears as the body hasn’t had time to adapt to the increased workload . All training needs gradual progression and enough recovery time after training. The higher the intensity in training , the more time needed to recover. So for an athlete, periods of maximal performance require more recovery time.

For treatment of muscle tears or spasms phone 086-7700191. We are physiotherapists in Tralee.

 

Low Back Pain – Facet vs Disc

Two of the most  common causes of low back pain presenting in clinic are discogenic (disc) and facet joint related pain. Injury to either can cause severe discomfort, limiting a person’s ability to carry out normal daily activities. Facet joints are small articulations along each segment at the back of the spine, and help control the movement of the spine.  There are two of these joints at each vertebral level. There are intervertebral discs between each level  and these act as primary shock absorbers. They are  generally between a quarter and a half inch in height, interconnecting the bodies of the vertebral segments.  It can be considered that the discs and the facets create joint complexes that allow for both shock absorption and movement at each segment of the spine.

One of the primary symptoms when a  lumbar facet joint locks is an increase in pain on extension of the lower back.  Basically there is more pain when you try and straighten up your lower back or lean back on it. This position loads pressure on the locked lumbar facet joints.   Usually with this type of injury there is pain relief to a certain extent when a person bends forward.  The reason for this is that forward flexion decompresses the facet joint articulations, releasing some of the pressure on the joints and hence the associated pain. There can be nerve irritation with this injury but it is usually more general and not as severe as with discogenic pain.

When we start talking about disc injury, we are usually referring to a small tear in the outer annular fibers of a disc that has either resulted in a bulge, a protrusion, or an extrusion of the disc particle(see diagram).  Pain occurs when a disc touches off a nerve due to one of these injuries, triggering a series of reactions, some of which include muscle spasm, inflammation and pain.   Often the nerve root irritation sends pain signals down either the front or back of the leg depending on which disc level is affected. In contrast to facet joint injuries, with disc injuries, bending forward causes a significant increase in pain, as it usually increases compression of the disc against the nerve.  So again to generalize, disc injuries are usually more sensitive to forward flexion,  whereby facet injuries are very sensitive to backward extension. A classic and very telling sign of a disc injury is where the spine becomes visibly curved off to one side as the disc tries to get away from the nerve it is touching. You will visibly see the person’s spine twisted off to one side.

With a locked facet joint, a simple osteopathic manipulation can give a person an immediate 60 – 70 % relief from pain symptoms.  The person is often almost back to normal the next day. With a facet joint injury, you are simply unlocking the locked facet joint in which the limited movement and was causing the problem. With a disc injury, you are trying to take pressure off the disc in the hope that it stops pressing against the nerve. Once off lumbar facet joint manipulation can play it’s part in recovery from disc disorders, if used at the right time by an experienced practitioner. Again this is used to mobilize the area and try and take pressure off the disc.

Often with a suspected disc injury a physio etc. may need to refer a patient to a doctor for a second opinion and most possibly medication( NSAIDs, muscle relaxant, nerve blocker), depending on the level of pain and discomfort. The doctor may also refer the patient for an MRI if they need more information on the level of damage. Physio generally involves deep tissue massage, dry needling, spinal manipulation at the right time. A rehab program involving pilates type exercises and some gentle stretching exercises etc. is paramount once a patient starts to improve. Continuous spinal manipulations several times a week for extended periods pushed by certain professions could do more harm than good, causing sheering of the disc and slowing healing.

”Putting back in a slipped disc” by manipulation is a myth. When somebody gets a manipulation done, the little crack you hear is when the facet joint gaps or unlocks. It is not the disc going back into place. Sometimes unlocking a facet joint in the area, if it has locked up say due to muscle spasm etc. can help take pressure of the disc in the area.

Eddie O Grady Physiotherapy, Tralee, Co. Kerry

 

 

 

 

Meniscus Injuries  – Knee Pain – Physiotherapy in Tralee

Cartilage within the knee joint provides cushioning between the bones at this joint. This protects them from the stresses of walking, jumping, running etc. There is articular cartilage which is the smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of bones(Femur, tibia) where they come together to form the knee joint. Healthy cartilage in our joints makes it easier to move. It allows the bones to glide over each other with very little friction. Articular cartilage can be damaged by injury or normal wear and tear.

Within the knee you also have fibrocartilage in the form of the medial and lateral meniscii. These are two thick wedge-shaped pads of cartilage attached to top of the tibia (tibial plateau) and under the femur bone. They  allow the femur to glide when the knee joint moves. Each meniscus is curved in a C-shape, with the front part of the cartilage called the anterior horn and the back part called the posterior horn. Meniscal tears are usually described by where they are located anatomically in the C shape and by their appearance (for example, “bucket handle” tear, longitudinal, parrot beak, and transverse).

Blood supply

Because the blood supply is different to each part of the meniscus. Knowing where the tear is located may help decide how easily an injury might heal (with or without surgery). The better the blood supply, the better the potential for recovery. The outside rim of cartilage has better blood supply than the central part of the “C.” Blood supply to knee cartilage also decreases with age, with up to 20% of normal blood supply  lost by age 40.

A forceful twist or sudden stop can cause the end of the femur to grind into the top of the tibia, pinching and potentially tearing the cartilage of the meniscus. These meniscus injuries can also occur with deep squatting or kneeling, especially when lifting a heavy weight. Meniscus tear injuries often occur during athletic activities, especially in contact sports like football and hockey. Motions that require pivoting and sudden stops, in sports like tennis, basketball, and golf, can also cause meniscus damage.

Increasing risk with age

The risk of developing a torn meniscus increases with age. This is  because cartilage begins to gradually wear out, losing its blood supply and its resilience. Being overweight also puts more stress on the meniscii. This means that routine daily activities like walking and climbing stairs increase the potential for wear, degeneration, and tearing. It is estimated that six out of 10 patients older than 65 years have a degenerative meniscus tear. Many of these tears may never cause problems.

Some of the fibers of the cartilage are interconnected with those of the ligaments that surround the knee. Thus, meniscus injuries may also be associated with tears of the collateral and cruciate ligaments, depending upon the mechanism of injury.

Symptoms of a meniscus injury can include some or all of the following:

• Pain with running or walking longer distances
• Intermittent swelling of the knee joint: Many times, the knee with a torn meniscus feels “tight.”
• Popping, especially when climbing up or down stairs
• Giving way or buckling (the sensation that the knee is unstable and the feeling that the knee will give way): Less commonly, the knee actually will give way and cause the patient to fall.
• Locking (a mechanical block where the knee cannot be fully extended or straightened): This occurs when a piece of torn meniscus folds on itself and blocks full range of motion of the knee joint. The knee gets “stuck,” usually flexed between 15 and 30 degrees and cannot bend or straighten from that position.  

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a knee injury begins with a history of the injury etc. and physical examination. There have been many tests described to assess the internal structures of the knee. The McMurray test is one long used orthopedic test . The health-care professional flexes the knee and rotates the tibia while feeling along the joint. The test is positive for a potential tear if a click is felt or noticeable pain is felt while circumducting the knee in full flexion.

Physiotherapy in Tralee – referral for MRI

(MRI) is the test of choice to confirm the diagnosis of a torn meniscus. It also allows a radiographer to visualize the inner structures of the knee. These structure include; the cartilage and ligaments, the surface of the bones, and the muscles and tendons that surround the knee joint. Plain X-rays cannot be used to identify meniscal tears but may be helpful in looking for bony changes, including fractures, arthritis, and loose bony fragments within the joint. In older patients, X-rays may be taken of both knees while the patient is standing. This allows the joint spaces to be compared to assess the degree of cartilage wear. Cartilage takes up space within the joint and if the joint space is narrowed, it may be an indicator that there is less cartilage present, likely from degenerative disease.

Treatment of Meniscal Tears

Sometimes conservative measures such as physical therapy, NSAIDs and rest can be enough to settle the condition. When conservative measures are ineffective the next step may be surgery to repair or remove the damaged cartilage.

 

For physiotherapy in Tralee phone 086-7700191, click here for website homepage

Levator Scupula Muscle Related Neck pain

When you wake up in the morning with neck pain, a crick in your neck, feel a burning pain on the top inner corner of your shoulder blade, or have trouble turning your head to look behind you while driving etc., the culprit may be a Levator Scapula muscle in spasm. The pain can be described as a throbbing, ache, or tightness. It usually presents from the top inner corner of the shoulder blade up along the neck. The Levator Scapulae muscles are located on either side of the neck. They originate on the four upper vertebrae of the cervical spine (neck). They insert, or attach, to the scapula, also known as the shoulder blade at the superior, medial border. These two muscles are involved in elevation, downward rotation and abduction of the scapulae. They are also involved in flexion and extension of the cervical spine(neck), turning of the neck slightly left and right, along with side bending of the neck left and right.

 

What Causes Levator Scapula Spasm / Trigger Points?

A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue that causes pain in that area and/or other parts of the body. The trigger points are shown above as two dark red circles, with the pain referral area also shaded in. Muscle spasm is a tightening of a muscle usually, due to overuse or overstress. It  can in itself cause pain and loss of mobility.

Causes

The following events and activities are likely to activate, or reactivate, tension / pain and trigger points in the levator scapulae.

• whiplash from an automobile accident
• sleeping on the stomach with the head turned/or sleeping in an odd position
• chilling of the muscle during sleep from an air conditioner or draft from an open window
• working at a computer with the head turned for long periods
• holding a phone between the shoulder and ear
• carrying a heavy bag with a shoulder strap
• use of crutches that are too tall and elevate the shoulder
• emotional and mental stress
• Working with your arms raised above your head for prolonged periods of time can also irritate the Levator Scapula. To help reduce neck pain, stabilize your shoulder blade when you raise your arm.
• poor posture with a forward head position puts this muscle under continuous strain causing overuse.

Treatment for Levator Scapula Muscle Spasm / Trigger points

Usually the condition settles after a few days if it is only a once off. Proper hands-on deep tissue massage and dry needling, when used together, can be great to settle the condition either in the short term, or if the condition has become more chronic. Also for the long term, correcting posture, stretching and strengthening of the upper back(particularly middle / lower traps, serratus posterior, rhomboids etc.) and the neck muscles(specifically the posterior neck muscles) can help prevent the condition from returning.

Posture

Posture is key to a healthy neck and spine. Try and sit up straight on a comfortable supportive chair, when at work or at home. Allow your shoulders to relax by using the arm rests of the chair. When at a computer, pull the screen close and try to get the screen up at eye level (say using books underneath it). This will mean your head won’t have to be protruding forward. The same applies when driving a car. Pull the seat in close to the steering wheel(within reason). Try to position yourself so the shoulders are relaxed and the head isn’t jutting forward. Activities like reading in bed, playing computer games for hours etc. can really tighten up the levator muscles. They are a disaster for thoracic and cervical posture in the long term.

For more information click to see this video

 

Physiotherapist in Tralee Phone 086-7700191

 

Restless Legs Syndrome 

Restless legs syndrome(RLS) is a nervous system disorder resulting in an urge to move the legs. Because it usually interferes with sleep, it also is considered a sleep disorder. The condition causes an uncomfortable, “itchy,” “pins and needles,” or “creepy crawly” type feeling in the legs. These sensations are usually worse at rest, especially when lying or sitting. The symptoms are generally also worse in the evening and at night. The severity of RLS symptoms varies from mild to intolerable. Symptoms can come and go and vary widely in severity. For some people, symptoms may lead to severe sleep disturbance at night. This can significantly impair their quality of life.

 

Who Gets Restless Legs Syndrome?

It is estimated that ”Restless legs syndrome” (RLS) affects up to 10% of the population. It affects both sexes, but is more common in women. The condition may begin at any age, but most people affected are middle-aged or older. RLS is often unrecognized or misdiagnosed. This is especially true if the symptoms are intermittent or mild.

 

Causes of Restless Legs Syndrome

In most cases, doctors do not know the cause of restless legs syndrome. It is suspected that genetics plays a role. Nearly half of people with RLS also have a family member with the condition. Factors other than genetics are associated with the development of restless legs syndrome. Certain chronic diseases and medical conditions can cause RLS. These include iron deficiency, Parkinson’s disease, kidney failure, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy. Treating these conditions often gives some relief from RLS symptoms.

 

Medications

Some types of medications may exacerbate symptoms. These include anti-nausea drugs, antipsychotic drugs, some antidepressants, cold and allergy medications containing sedating antihistamines. Women can experience RLS during pregnancy, especially in the last trimester. These symptoms usually go away within a month after delivery. Other factors, including alcohol use and sleep deprivation, may trigger symptoms or make them worse.

 

Diagnosis

There is no medical test to diagnose RLS. Doctors. However, blood tests or other diagnostic tests may be used to rule out other conditions. The diagnosis of RLS is based mainly on a patient’s symptoms and history .

 

Treatment

Treatment of RLS is targeted at easing the symptoms. In people with mild to moderate restless legs syndrome, lifestyle changes, such as beginning a regular exercise program , establishing regular sleep patterns, and eliminating or decreasing the use of caffeine,alcohol and tobacco, may be helpful.

Non-drug RLS treatments may include:

Leg massages

Hot baths or heating pads or ice packs applied to the legs

Good sleep habits

A vibrating pad called Relaxis

 

Drugs

Medications may sometimes be helpful in treatment of RLS but results vary among individuals. Drugs used to treat RLS include:

Dopaminergic drugs, which act on the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain; Mirapex, Neupro, and Requip, levodopa.

Benzodiazepines, a class of sedative medications, may be used to help with sleep, but they can cause daytime drowsiness.

Narcotic pain relievers may be used for severe pain.

Anticonvulsant drugs  such as Tegretol, Lyrica, Neurontin,  and Horizant.

 

Although there is no cure for restless legs syndrome, current treatments can help control the condition, decrease symptoms, and improve sleep.

 

For more information see these videos     video 1.           video 2.

 

 

Restless legs syndrome treatment  by physical therapist in Tralee, Co. Kerry. Phone Eddie on 086-7700191. Click for Website

Physiotherapist explains foot pronation & supination

A physiotherapist explains Pronation and supination as  movements that occur at the subtalar joint of the foot. The normal biomechanics of the foot are designed to absorb and direct the forces occurring throughout the gait cycle. As the foot is loaded, eversion of the subtalar joint, dorsiflextion of the ankle, and abduction of the forefoot occur. This is the pronation part of the gait cycle. Pronation should not continue past the latter stages of midstance during the gait cycle. At this stage the foot should then supinate in preparation for toe-off. Approximately four degrees of pronation and supination are necessary to enable the foot to propel forward properly. Any increase on this four degrees brings a foot into over-supination or over-pronation.

 

Pronation – physiotherapist explaination

Pronation of the foot is where the heel and the little toe move away from the center of the body. The foot also dorsiflexes up slightly, the ankle rolling inwards. Pronation is part of the natural movement of the human body. Certain injuries can occur with excessive pronation.  Runners with flat feet often tend to overpronate. Over-pronation can contribute to many injuries. These include shin splints, anterior compartment syndrome, patello-femoral pain syndrome, plantar fasciitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, bunions (hallux valgus), achilles tendonopathies etc. The running shoes of over-pronators often show extra wear on the inner heel and ball of the foot.

 

Supination – physiotheraist explaination

With supination the heel and also the big toe rotate towards the centre of the body. The foot flexes down and the ankle rolls out. It is the opposite of pronation. A natural amount of supination occurs during the push-off phase of the running gait. This occurs as the heel lifts off the ground and the forefoot and toes are used to propel the body forward. However, excessive supination  places a large strain on the muscles and tendons that stabilize the ankle. This can make the oversupinator more prone to ankle sprain or ankle ligament rupture.

With over-supination the forces of impact on the foot are concentrated on a smaller area of the foot (the outside part), and are not distributed as efficiently. In the push-off phase, most of the work is done by the smaller toes on the outside of the foot, rather than the big toe. This places extra stress on the foot. It can lead to conditions such as iliotibial band syndrome, Achilles tendinitis, or plantar fasciitis. Over-supination causes the outer edge of running shoes to wear sooner. In extreme cases, there will also be holes in the uppers where the runner’s foot has broken through. Runners with high arches and tight Achilles tendons/calves tend to be over-supinators.

 

Orthotics

Properly prescribed foot orthotics can be beneficial in the treatment of over-pronation or over-supination. Physiotherapists usually supply both off the shelf and/or custom made orthotics. We  prescribe these only when we really feel they are necessary. Often the much cheaper off the shelf version will do the trick. It is important to get a quality product, prescribed by an experienced practitioner. Sometimes you just have an injury that needs  treatment and there is no need for an orthotic. Also high arches or a flat feet do not mean in itself you need orthotics, especially if you are not in pain.

 

 

 

Bone Spurs – Causes?

Bone spurs(also called osteophytes) are outgrowths of bone occurring along the edge of a bone. Bone spurs are most commonly found in joints, where two bones come together. They also occur close to where muscles, ligaments, or tendons attached to bone. Some common parts of the body affected include the neck (cervical spine), shoulders, hips, hands and heel bone.

Bone spurs typically occur because of continued stress or rubbing on a bone over a prolonged period of time. This can occur due to inflammatory conditions  such as osteoarthritis , tendinitis or tenosynovitis. Normally there is a smooth layer of cartilage on the edges of bones where they come together to form a joint. With osteoarthritis this cartilage layer becomes worn away. This causes the exposed bones to rub against each other. New bone forms in response to this stress and the resulting inflammation. Bone spurs usually develop in areas near tendons and ligaments due to chronic inflammation in these areas. This inflammation can result from friction between these tissues and bone, or from overuse. The bone spur development is the bodies way of trying to protect itself.

Signs and Symptoms

Bone spurs may or may not cause symptoms. Symptoms are location dependent. If bone spurs rub against other bones at joints they can cause pain and/or more limited movement in these joints. They can also be associated with pain, numbness, tenderness, and /or weakness in areas where  they irritate adjacent tissue structures(muscles, ligaments, bones, nerves etc.). If the bone spur rubs against tendons or ligaments, they can sometimes cause a tear in these tissues over time. This is a common cause of tears in certain rotator cuff tendons .

If bone spurs occur in the spine  they can sometimes pinch the nerves (radiculopathy) or spinal cord(myelopathy). A radiculopathy can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs depending on the area affected. With a myelopathy there can be pain and problems with balance along with weakness.

Diagnosis

Generally X-Rays, MRIs or CT scans are used to confirm suspected cases. Sometimes an experienced practitioner can feel the spur with their finger depending on the area(i.e. heel spur).

When Is Surgery Appropriate ?

In some cases, if symptoms cannot be controlled with more conservative treatment, surgery could be an option. The goal is to remove the bone spur, allowing a return to normal joint motion, or to remove the pressure on muscles, tendons, ligaments, or nerves.

 

 

 

Physiotherapist Tralee  :  Phone 086-7700191