What is DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis? Diagram showing the 2 inflamed tendons (extensor pollicis brevis and extensor pollicis longus) DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis is inflammation involving 2 of the tendons in the thumb and along the side of the wrist. The names of these 2 muscles are the extensor pollicis brevis and the extensor pollicis longus, as depicted above. First, to break down the naming, the Latin name of the thumb is pollex, hence pollicis, while the “extensor” refers to the movement that the muscles create at the thumb, extension! Lastly, brevis and longus refers to how short (or brief!) or long the muscle…

At PhysioNow, we receive many inquiries from our patients about our direct billing services. If it is your first time using your insurance and are unsure about the whole process, this article should help you out. Additionally, you are free to reach out to us for more personal questions and our team of experienced administrative staff would be more than happy to help you out. What is direct billing? Direct billing means that the clinic can submit the claims on your behalf to your insurance provider. Ultimately, this results in a streamlined process for our patients as you no longer…

Anatomy of the 1st CMC Joint The 1st Carpo-meta-carpal (CMC) joint is more commonly referred to as the thumb joint. It is located at the base of the thumb between the carpal bones and the metacarpal bones. It is classified as a saddle joint, meaning it allows the thumb to move freely in many directions. As a result of this mobility, you can perform a wide variety of complicated tasks such as opening a jar, pinching an object, writing, and holding differently shape objects. What is Thumb Arthritis? Arthritis is a general condition that can affect any joint in the…

  Our physiotherapy clinic PhysioNow has 9 locations to serve you across the GTA, from Burlington to Etobicoke Physiotherapists can improve your health by being champions of fitness and wellness. They are experts in a wide variety of topics and can help in many different areas. The following is a list of ways your physiotherapist can improve your health! 1. Prevention Physiotherapists work to prevent injuries and physical health issues through education and awareness. For example, they may provide guidance on proper ergonomics, posture, and exercise habits to reduce the risk of developing pain, injuries and chronic conditions. 2. Rehabilitation Sometimes, accidents happen and injuries can’t be avoided. Physiotherapists help individuals recover from injuries, surgeries, and medical conditions. They use various techniques, therapeutic exercises, and treatments to restore physical function, mobility, and strength. 3. Pain Management Physiotherapists help manage and alleviate pain, whether it’s caused by…

What is Frozen Shoulder? Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, involves stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. The shoulder joint is enclosed in a capsule of connective tissue. Then, frozen shoulder occurs when this capsule thickens and tightens around the shoulder joint, restricting its movement. What does a typical case look like? Often, signs and symptoms begin slowly, and start getting worse. Over a long period of time, symptoms get better, usually within 1 to 3 years. Additionally, having to keep a shoulder still for a long period increases the risk of developing frozen shoulder. For example, this might happen after having surgery or breaking an arm. Treatment involves range-of-motion exercises. Sometimes, treatment involves corticosteroids and numbing medications injected into the joint. Rarely, arthroscopic surgery is needed to loosen the joint capsule so that it can move more freely. It’s unusual for this condition r to reoccur in the…

What is carpal tunnel syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neurological disorder. It  occurs when the median nerve, which runs from your forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes compressed or squeezed at the wrist. Importantly, the median nerve provides feeling to the thumb, index, and middle finger, and part of the ring finger (but not the little finger). Also, it controls some small muscles at the base of the thumb. Sometimes, thickening from the lining of irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and compresses the median nerve. For example, a common sign is that you might wake up and feel you need to “shake out” your hand or wrist. What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome? Usually, carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms start gradually and includes: Tingling or numbness – You may notice tingling and numbness in the fingers or hand. Usually the thumb…

Image by stockking on Freepik Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis/epicondylalgia, is swelling and pain of the tendons that bend your wrist backwards away from your palm. Usually, it is diagnosed in both men and women between the ages of 30 and 50 years. What is tennis elbow? Firstly, tennis elbow is inflammation or, in some cases, micro tearing of the tendons that join the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow. As a result, the forearm muscles and tendons become damaged from overuse— repeating the same motions again and again. Ultimately, this leads to pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow. What are the causes of tennis elbow? 1.  Overuse Recently, studies show that tennis elbow is often due to damage to a specific forearm muscle. The ECRB (extensor carpi radialis brevis) muscle helps stabilize the wrist when the elbow is…

Motor Vehicle Accidents / MVA and physiotherapy. Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries sustained from a motor vehicle accident affect your normal function in life differently. It depends on the extent of the impact. Thus, it is very important to address any pertaining issues from the accident to your doctor. Additionally, to start rehabilitation at the earliest to decrease the impact of injury and its effects. MVA injuries can be as minor as  sprains or strains or it can be extensive that might include concussion, fractures, neurological involvement, other musculoskeletal involvements, etc. Once you are involved in an accident…

Scoliosis A side deviation or curvature in your spine is scoliosis. It could be in your neck, mid back and lower back. It can present in more than one area. The most common area where it develops is mid-back. Cervical and lumber spine are very common  when it comes to two curvatures. Type of scoliosis: C-shape: This is most common type, there is only one-sided curve. The most common area for C shape to develop is in the thoracic spine and also lumber spine.  In this type, scoliosis side leg could be short compared to non-scoliotic…

Chronic Ankle Instability Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries. Rest, ice, compression and elevation, or the RICE rule, are the go-tos for ankle sprains. In most cases, the ankle will heal between 4-12 weeks. Many people will allow the ankle to heal on its own but a failure to seek treatment and physical rehabilitation for the ankle after just one injury is enough to leave it weaker and more vulnerable to future sprains. Which in turn could result in chronic ankle instability. What causes ankle instability? After an ankle injury, there is damage…