The topic of concussion has been in the media quite frequently in the last several years. Top athletes, like Sidney Crosby, have definitely put concussion in the spotlight. Crosby was unable to return to his game for almost a whole year because of persistent symptoms related to concussion. Furthermore, research has shown that 96% of deceased ex-NFL players have a form of brain damage called Chronic Traumatic Encephelaphathy (CTE), which may be related to repeated head traumas like concussions. Safety Of Athletes Involved In Contact Sports This calls into question the safety of athletes involved in contact sports. In contact sports, there seems to be a higher incidence of these injuries. However, concussions do not just happen to the famous pro-athlete. They can happen to athletes playing at any level or any age. They can do more than take away playing time. Rowan Stringer, a high school rugby player, sadly…

Signs and Symptoms of ACL tear This blog will talk about signs and symptoms of ACL tear. The Anterior Cruciate Ligament, or ACL, is a very important structure of the knee joint. Its main function is to stop the shin bone from moving too far forward when the knee is straightened. The ACL also prevents the knee from rotating too far inward. As a result, a tear to this ligament can have very negative effects on knee function and stability. A potential injury to the ACL has fairly easily recognizable signs and symptoms. Mechanism of injury of ACL Tear The mechanism of injury is very important in identifying an ACL injury. The ACL ligament is often injured when the leg is pivoted with the foot planted. It can also result from a direct blow to the outside of the knee. It is common to see ACL injuries in soccer and…

Knee Injuries ACL REHAB ACL REHAB is very important for you to get back to your normal life! injuries lead to pain, inflammation, internal bleeding and instability. Mechanism of Injury The mechanism of injury is a sudden rotational force that occurs when the foot is planted on the ground. Symptoms of ACL tear During certain movements you may feel instability and pain such as when walking and coming down stairs. Muscles may get weak because they respond to stress put on them during weight bearing activities. After injuring the ACL, people tend to to avoid pain. This can lead to decreased balance, strength and control in the muscles. It may further lead to locking of other structures that are also involved with an ACL tear. This includes meniscus and medial collateral ligament injuries. Is Surgical Repair required? Surgical repair may be needed for a fully torn ACL depending on the…

Pelvic Floor: Posture PELVIC FLOOR: POSTURE is a very important area if you have issues with urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, etc.  The muscles of the pelvic floor support the abdominal and pelvic viscera.  These muscles are active in standing and sitting. Furthermore, because the abdomen is a fluid-filled cavity, intra-abdominal pressure  is distributed in all directions.  The Pelvic Floor muscles, which form the floor of the abdominal cavity, contribute to its muscle control. As a result of this contribution to control of intra-abdominal pressure, the muscles of the pelvic floor are likely to contribute to control of the spine and pelvis. The slouched posture places a lot of pressure on our internal organs and pelvic floor. This can cause a worsening of: urinary incontinence, pelvic pain,  symptoms related to prolapse, and rectus diastasis. Pelvic Floor: Posture, sitting slumped Research has shown that when we sit in a slumped posture, our pelvic…

A Baker’s Cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled swelling that causes a lump at the back of the knee. This leads to tightness and restricted movement. The Baker’s Cyst can be painful when you bend or straighten your knee. ? Causes of a Baker’s Cyst Synovial fluid is a clear liquid that normally circulates through the spaces in your knee joint. Sometimes the knee produces too much of this fluid. The increasing pressure forces the fluid to the back of the knee via a one-way valve. This creates a bulge. This  swelling of the knee causes a Baker’s Cyst to form. The most common causes of a Baker’s Cyst are: damage to the knee’s cartilage (meniscus) arthritis of the knee rheumatoid arthritis other knee conditions that cause joint inflammation ? Symptoms of a Baker’s Cyst Some patients may have no pain and may not even notice the…

Peroneal tendinopathy Peroneal tendinopathy or peroneal tendonitis is characterized by an aching pain and swelling in the perineal tendons. These are located in the lower, outside portion of the ankle. A tendon is soft-tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone. The muscles involved in this condition are the 2 peroneal muscles in the lower leg, called the peroneus longus and the peroneus brevis. Anatomy ?There are two peroneal tendons that run along the back of the fibula. The first is called the peroneus brevis. The term “brevis” implies short.  It is called this because it has a shorter muscle and starts lower in the leg. It then runs down around the back of the bone called the fibula on the outside of the leg and connects to the side of the foot.  The peroneus longus takes its name because it has a longer course. It starts higher on the leg and…

De Quervain’s Disease/ Texting thumb. De Quervain’s Disease De Quervain’s Disease or nowadays known as texting thumb is a painful inflammation of tendons in the thumb that extend to the wrist. The rubbing of the inflamed tendon against the canal it passes through causes pain at the base of the thumb and into the lower arm. It is commonly seen in females over 40 years of age. Causes of De Quervain’s Disease 1. Simple strain injury to the tendon. 2. Repetitive motion injury. Workers who perform rapid repetitive activities involving pinching, grasping, pulling or pushing are at increased risk. Specific activities including intensive mousing, trackball use, and typing. Other activities including bowling, golf, fly-fishing, piano-playing, sewing, and knitting can also cause De Quervain’s Disease. 3. Frequent causes of De Quervain’s Disease include stresses such as lifting young children into car seats, lifting heavy grocery bags by…

A hip fracture is a break in the upper quarter of the femur (thigh) bone. The extent of the break depends on the forces that are involved. The type of surgery used to treat a hip fracture is based on the bones and soft tissues affected or on the level of the fracture. Older people are at a higher risk of hip fracture because bones tend to weaken with age (osteoporosis). Multiple medications, poor vision and balance problems also make older people more likely to trip and fall — one of the most common causes of hip fracture. ? Signs and symptoms of a hip fracture include: • Inability to move immediately after a fall • Severe pain in your hip or groin • Inability to put weight on your leg on the side of your injured hip • Stiffness, bruising and swelling in and around your hip area •…

Trochanteric bursitis   The Trochanteric Bursa is a fluid filled sac near the hip joint. It cushions between the bones and the muscle and acts as a shock absorber. Trochanteric bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa which is at the outside of the hip. When this bursa is irritated it causes pain on the outside of the hip and thigh.  Sometimes you may feel the pain down to the knee on the same side.  Another symptom is pain which will stop you from lying on your painful side.  It will be painful when you press on a specific spot on the outside of the hip.  The pain gets worse when climbing stairs, getting up from a low chair getting out of a car.  Sitting with crossed legs hurts.  Both  walking and running may also cause increased pain. Causes of Trochanteric Bursitis Any direct Injury to the outside of the hip…

Why is baseline testing Concussions important? There are no  special tests to diagnose and gauge the severity of concussions.  Athletes are recommended to undergo baseline testing before the beginning of the sports season. Baseline test results are helpful  for most healthcare professionals  involved in an athlete’s concussion care. This includes Physiotherapists, Physicians, Concussion Specialists, and Vision Therapists.  Baseline tests let the Physiotherapist compare the before injury  function to the results of post concussion baseline testing. It’s a great tool  to measure the severity of concussions.  It helps therapists to make  treatment goals.  Safe return to sports following concussions can be determined with this tool.   Components of Baseline testing  Concussions   Impact Test, This is the gold standard test.  It  looks at different functions of your brain before and after concussion. It is a computer based test. It usually takes about 30 minutes. The test assesses your ability to process information, and remember…