HOW DOES OSTEOARTHRITIS AFFECT PEOPLE?

 

PHYSIOTHERAPY

 

ONE OF THE MOST COMMON FORMS OF ARTHRITIS IS OSTEOARTHRITIS. IT DAMAGES YOUR JOINTS THROUGH

WEAR AND TEAR. IT CAN BE PAINFUL AND DEPRESSING.THERE IS NO CURE, BUT THERE ARE WAYS OF MANAGING THE CONDITION AND MAKING LIFE EASIER. PHYSIOTHERAPY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THAT MANAGEMENT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUSTRALIAN PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION                                   

 

www. p h y s i o t h e r a p y . a s n . a u

 

 

Move well. Stay well.

 

© 2003 Australian Physiotherapy Association. ABN 89 004 265 150

Text Box: COMMON INJURIES • Bruises • Ligament Sprains • Joint Injuries • Over use injuries WHAT GOES WRONG Most sporting injuries are a result of a direct blow (bruise or contusion) or an indirect force like a twist (sprains, strains, tears). Some injuries are due to over use stresses (tendinitis, stress fractures). HOW CAN YOU PREVENT INJURY? • Correct warm up and warm down procedures. • Appropriate stretching exercises for flexibility. • Protective strapping or bracing. • Correct footwear and sporting equipment. • Specific conditioning for your particular sport. • Good aerobic fitness. • Good muscle control and reactions. GETTING BACK INTO ACTION Before you can safely return to your sport it is essential to regain strength, mobility, balance and co-ordination. Your Physiotherapist will assess these areas and show you how to improve them.

SPORT INJURIES

With early physiotherapy

and RICE, scar tissue is healthy and recovery

is quicker.

Ligament immediately

after injury.

Without physiotherapy and RICE, and with too much activity too soon, bulky painful scar tissue and delayed recovery

may result.

FINDING A PHYSIOTHERAPIST

 

A doctor’s referral is not required to see a Physiotherapist in private practice. Physiotherapists in private practice are listed in the Yellow Pages, or contact your local Branch of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.

 

Members of the APA are bound by a professional code of conduct and participate in a mandatory continuing

professional development program. Some APA members have postgraduate qualifications and extensive experience in the management of sports injuries and are awarded the title APA Sports Physiotherapist. Most health insurance schemes

offer a level of cover which provides a rebate for

physiotherapy.

 

HOW PHYSIOTHERAPY CAN HELP

 

Physiotherapists are highly qualified and trained in the

assessment and treatment of sports injuries. As they have comprehensive knowledge of biomechanics, tissue injury and healing,many Physiotherapists are appointed to sports teams to monitor the rehabilitation of injured players and assist with preventing injuries.

WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER AN INJURY?

As soon as possible, and for 72 hours after injury, use

the RICE method:

 

 

Rest                   Take it easy and only move within your

                          limit of pain.

 

Ice                     As soon as possible, and for 20 minutes

                          every two hours, apply ice or a frozen                           gel pack wrapped in a damp towel. This                           helps to control bleeding and pain and                           reduces secondary tissue damage.

 

Compression    Firmly bandage the injury. This helps to

                          control swelling.

 

Elevation          As much as possible, elevate your                                injury higher than the level of your heart                           to reduce swelling.

REFERRAL

 

See your local Physiotherapist especially if there is pain and swelling after 24 hours.

 

REHABILITATE

 

Rehabilitation recovery can start very early after an injury.

 

Physiotherapy rehabilitation techniques will help reduce the time that your injury is painful and movement is restricted so that you can return to sport more quickly and safely.

 

Rehabilitation also facilitates a good quality repair and the return of normal muscle and nerve function.

 

Avoid any of the HARM factors in the first 48 hours to prevent increased swelling and help your recovery:

 

Heat, Alcohol, Running, Massage.