Common Conditions Heard in a Physical Therapy Clinic
- Posted on: Jul 11 2018
• Rotator Cuff Tear- The Rotator cuff is composed of 4 muscles namely: Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor and Subscapularis. They are located in the shoulder to collectively provide dynamic stability to the Glenohumeral Joint. An injury in younger population can occur by a traumatic injury or repetitive high demand muscle use such as a professional baseball pitcher. In older population, an injury may be caused by wear and tear due to decreasing tissue elasticity and vascularity.
• Herniated Disk- it is an intervertebral disk that bulges and protrudes against a nerve root. An injury may occur due to natural aging process that alters the composition of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus and decreases over all stability. The sciatic nerve experiences an inflammatory response causing a subsequent damage due to compression from the herniated disk. An everyday activity which used to be a normal load becomes an excessive load when the structural breakdown happens.
• Osteoarthritis (OA)- It is the most common type of joint disease and is a degenerative chronic disorder resulting from the biochemical breakdown of the articular cartilage in the synovial joints. There is correlation between aging and the beginning of OA, although its etiology is unknown.
• Total Hip Replacement- also known as Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA)- may be warranted due to progressive and severe Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis in the hip joint. A THA is a highly successful surgical procedure and the prosthesis has a lifespan of about 20 years.
• Plantar Fasciitis- The plantar fascia is a thin layer of though connective tissue that supports the arch of the foot. Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammatory process of the plantar fascia at its origin on the calcaneus. Injury may have been contributed by excessive pronation during gait, tightness of the foot and calf musculature, obesity and possessing high arch. A runner or a dancer or a person whose job requires standing or walking for prolonged period of time is at high risk for plantar fasciitis.
By: Rhia Vista
Posted in: Physical Therapy
