Thoracic Pain

• Myofascial Pain Syndrome

• Nerve impingement/ Pinched nerve

• Facet joint injury

• Rib dysfunction

• Disc related pain

• Arthritis / Spondylosis

• Muscle strains

• Instability

• Postural deficiency

• Scheuremans Kyphosis

Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is the most common complaint seen in physiotherapy practices across the western world. It is second only to the common cold as a primary cause of sick leave in Ireland with sufferers taking an average of 11 days off work a year due the condition. Statistics show that over 80% of the population will suffer from lower back pain at some stage in their lifetime. The vast majority of people will recover from an episode of lower back within 2-6 weeks. In up to 30% of cases however back pain persists or re-occurs.

Back pain sufferers need to seek professional help early for an accurate diagnoses and a comprehensive treatment plan. This will help to relieve symptoms and address any underlying causes. There are a number of structures in the lower back which can result in lower back pain, when injured. These include the muscles, ligaments, facet joints, nerves and intervertebral discs.

Below is a list of conditions which can cause lower back pain.

• Sciatica

• Sacroiliac joint problems

• Disc related lower back pain

• Ankylosing spondylitis

• Spondylosis

• Spondylolisthesis

• Muscle strains

• Facet joint syndrome

• Disc herniation

• Pinched nerve

• Instability

• Postural deficiency

• Scoliosis

Hip Pain

• Muscle strain

• Bursitis

• Femoral acetabular impingement

• Labral / cartilage tear

• Perthes disease

• Slipped femoral epiphysis

• Overuse injury to muscle/tendons

• Arthritis

• Joint Replacement

Knee Pain

• Meniscal injury

• Patellar femoral pain syndrome (kneecap)

• Patellar Tendonosis/tendonitis(Jumpers Knee)

• Ligament sprains

• Cruciate ligament rupture

• Osgood schlatters

• Arthritis

• Knee Replacement

• Bursitis

Ankle Pain

• Ligament sprains (17% of admissions to A&E for muscle, joint, bone injury)

• Cartilage injury /osteochondral lesions

• Achilles tendonosis/tendonitis

• Severs disease

• Fracture/bone break (traumatic / stress)

• Tendon injury

• Arthritis

• Joint Replacement

Ligament sprains are the most common type of ankle injury. Sprains occur when the ligaments (thick fibrous bands that connect bone to bone) which stabilise the joint are stretched beyond their capability resulting in a tear. The most likely mechanism is an inversion sprain in which the foot is forcefully rolled inwards. Depending on the severity of the sprain there may be damage to one or more ligaments and symptoms may vary from mild discomfort whilst walking to an inability to weight bear through the affected ankle.

The most important aim of treatment following a sprain in the initial 48 hours is to control swelling and protect the injured tissue. In order to facilitate this goal we recommend the PRICE protocol (Protect, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation). One of the main risk factors associated with chronic or recurrent ankle sprains is inadequate rehabilitation following injury.

At The Abbey Physiotherapy, we use a combination of manual therapy techniques and progressive exercise to help you regain mobility and strength in the joint and return you to full function. If you need to see a foot and ankle consultant, we have close connections to see and a specialist and can refer you to him.

The average person takes 7,500 steps a day, or about 115,000 miles over a lifetime! The foot absorbs between two and three times our body weight in force when we walk and anywhere from three to eight times body weight when we run. Individuals with certain body mechanics distribute forces inefficiently through the lower limbs causing excessive stress or overloading.

Common Foot Conditions

• Metatarsalgia

• Sesamoiditi

• Foot Arch Pain

• Plantar fasciitis

• Heel Spur

• Stress Fracture

• Mortons Neuroma

• Bunion (Hallux Valgus)

• Bursitis

• Heel contusion

Heel Pain

The heel is one of the most commonly injured areas of the foot.

Typical conditions which can cause pain in or around the heel area are.

• Plantar fasciitis

• Heel contusion/bruising

• Retrocalcaneal bursitis

• Insertional achilles tendonosis/tendonitis

• Severs disease (childhood)

• Stress fracture of the calcaneus

Shoulder Pain

Normal shoulder function is essential for many daily activities and sports. Our shoulders can get into over 15,000 positions based on combinations and as such are susceptible to injury. There is a high prevalence of shoulder injuries in the general population triggered by tasks requiring overhead reaching, heavy lifting or repetitive use of the upper limb.

Shoulder injuries are extremely common and cross the sporting and non-sporting population. There are numerous structures and/or conditions of the shoulder joint that can cause pain.

Causes of Shoulder Pain

Some of the main causes of shoulder pain are:

• Rotator Cuff Injuries

• Shoulder instability

• Shoulder stiffness or frozen shoulder

• A-C joint injury

• Bursitis

• Shoulder dislocation

• Labral tear

• Referred pain

• Tendonitis / tendonosis

• Arthritis

• Joint replacement

• Fracture / bone break

Elbow Pain

Damage or disruption to the local elbow structures such as the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and/or joint itself can all result in elbow pain. Similarly pain experienced at the elbow joint may not be due to a local pathology but may be referring from the shoulder, neck or upper back.

Two of the most common local elbow pathologies treated are medial epicondylitis or ‘golfers elbow’ and lateral epicondylitis or ‘Tennis Elbow’.

Common causes of elbow pain include:

• Tennis Elbow

• Golfers Elbow

• Sprains and strains

• Stress Fractures/Traumatic Fracture

• Dislocated Elbow

• Tendinitis

• Bursitis

Wrist Sprains and Hand Injuries

Identifying the causes of wrist and hand pain is essential for proper treatment.

• Fracture/ bone break

• Cartilage tear

• Tendonosis

• Tendonitis

• Tenosynovitis

• Instability

• Arthritis

• Ligament sprains

• Skiers thumb

• Contractures