SOS Physiotherapy: Hip, Knee and Leg Pain

SOS Physiotherapy: Hip, Knee and Leg Pain

The Spinal Column The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

ISSUE NUMBER 20

EFFECTS OF AGING ON STRENGTH, BALANCE & FALLING

The Problem: All of us have taken a tumble at some point in our lives. But as we grow older, the risks associated with falling over become greater, We lose physical strength and bone density, our sense of balance deteriorates and we take longer to recover from a fall. The human body is inherently unstable, with a small base relative to its height. Maintaining an upright position and moving from place to place while staying balanced is a continual challenge for our bodies. Our success depends on the well- being and integration of many different systems within our bodies. There are three main systems that provide us with the sensory information about our bodies and the surrounding environment that we need to maintain balance. Our eyes, inner ear and feedback from our joints provide information to maintain balance. Our brains must rapidly and continuously integrate and then process the sensory information received and this integration is often worse in older people. With age and inactivity, the processes your brain goes through may not integrate as well or as quickly as cognitive abilities decline. The result is less ability to "multi-task", and common with elderly. The normal sensory feedback from your joints to the brain is reduced by swollen feet and ankles and poor flexibility. Diseases in weight-bearing joints, such as arthritis, may cause errors in foot placement, while distorted or painful feet and poorly-fitted shoes can pass misleading information to the brain about the nature of your contact with the ground when you’re walking. Eyesight gets worse, with increased susceptibility to glare and poor depth perception. This can lead to misjudgment of distance, or dealing with uneven surfaces which can cause a fall.

Vertigo or inner ear infections are causes of dizziness, which can also increase the risk of a falls. Certain medications which are commonly prescribed among the older population – such as aspirin, quinine, and some antibiotics and diuretics – can lead to problems with balance. There’s a risk that older people will to descend into a vicious spiral of inactivity: many of these “ageing” changes to the body are accelerated by sedentary behavior, which in turn leads to a greater reduction in strength and balance, loss of bone and an increased risk of falls. The Solution.....Never too late It’s never too late to start. By concentrating on forms of exercise that challenge strength and balance, we can help maintain our bodies’ complex balancing systems. It is possible to break this vicious circle and slow the process of deterioration, improve strength and balance and reduce the risk of future falls by being active. We should aim to be active every day and build up to 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, which should make you feel slightly out of breath and a bit warmer. This time can be accumulated in ten to twenty minute bursts. At least two of these short sessions should build strength and balance: examples include lifting weights, yoga, Tai Chi, postural stability classes and dancing.

INSIDE: • Finding A Solution To Your Hip, Knee And Leg Pain • How Physiotherapy Can Help YOU!

• My Patient Story • The Coupon Corner! • And More!

www.sosphysiotherapy.ca

FINDING A SOLUTION TO YOUR HIP, KNEE AND LEG PAIN

FUN & GAMES: SUDOKU

Your hips, knees, and lower legs are tough—but injuries happen. Your hips and knees are your largest joints, supporting your body’s weight. They work in close coordination, giving us the mobility we need. Between arthritis, injuries and age, however, pain can flare up. If you're experiencing hip, knee or leg pain, call us to schedule a closer look. Before you do, however, let's examine the pain itself. What Causes Hip, Knee and Leg Pain? Hip, knee and leg pain are surprisingly common. Thus, their source can come from a variety of things. If you’re experiencing pain in any part of your leg, pinpointing the exact spot can help you determine the cause. Mayo Clinic has pinpointed several leading causes of hip, knee and leg pain. While many causes exist, the most likely are:

While some causes are more severe than others, a physician can identify each. As the body ages, joints become inflamed. Cartilage may wear down, reducing the “buffer” between bones. In some cases, limited blood flow may cause bone tissue death, or necrosis. If you’re experiencing redness, inflammation and immobilized joints, the condition may be severe. What Are the Symptoms? While leg pain is noticeable by a slew of symptoms, several stick out. Aching or stiffness around the hip, groin, back or thigh may be a sign of deeper problems. A decreased range of motion can also be a sign of deeper problems which may later result in hip, knee or leg pain. Sometimes, inactivity can contribute to immobility—and later pain. If you’re limping, lurching or are experiencing bad balance, contact a physician. While some hip, knee and leg pains go away, those lasting longer than several months may be hinting at a deeper issue.

· Arthritis · Dislocation · Hip fracture · Sprains and strains

· Tendonitis · Pinched nerves · Osteoporosis · Cancer

www.sosphysiotherapy.ca

Belmont Clinic Belmont Centre for Physical Medicine 564 Belmont Avenue West, Suite 301 Kitchener, Ontario N2M 5N6 TEL: (519) 743-4355

Campus Clinic University of Waterloo Student Life Centre

Elmira Clinic Behind Wellness Centre (Clock Tower) 3 Wyatt Street East, Suite 2 Elmira, Ontario N3B 2H4 TEL: (519) 669-1212

200 University Avenue West Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1 TEL: (519) 884-0767

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Healthcare Services!

HOW PHYSIOTHERAPY CAN HELP YOU!

In many cases, physiotherapy can help patients increase leg mobility. In doing so, they can stretch, flex and strengthen the muscles responsible for support. If a joint appears deformed, or if sudden swelling occurs, contact a physician immediately. A good physiotherapy program can assist with post-operation treatment, too. If you’ve undergone treatment for osteoporosis, dislocation or a fracture, your therapist can help you reclaim full mobility—and a healthy lifestyle. From start to finish, we’re dedicated to your ongoing wellness. On every level, physiotherapy serves to enhance the patient’s quality of life. We’re here to help, and we have years of experience backing every therapy option. Contact one of our providers today, and tell us about your symptoms.

Sources: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/hip-pain/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym- 20050684 https://www.everydayhealth.com/hip-pain/hip-pain-and-your-body.aspx https:// www.health.harvard.edu/pain/knees-and-hips-a-troubleshooting-guide-to-knee-and-hip-pain

The Coupon Corner!

FREE HIP OR KNEE PAIN SCREENING!

FREE HIP OR KNEE PAIN SCREENING!

ONE FOR YOU

ONE FOR A FRIEND

CALL THE SOS LOCATION NEAREST YOU NOW TO SCHEDULE TODAY!

CALL THE SOS LOCATION NEAREST YOU NOW TO SCHEDULE TODAY!

Call to schedule. *for the month of December 2019 only

Call to schedule. *for the month of December 2019 only

CALL ONE OF OUR 3 LOCATIONS TODAY!

My Patient Story

Staff Spotlight

David Slover, BSc(PT), BPE, BEd, CAT(C), CAFCI (owner) Dave is the initial physiotherapist hired at SOS Physiotherapy when the clinic opened in 1991. He has been a registered physiotherapist for 35 years. He is one of the owners along with primarily working as a clinician. Dave

holds degrees in physical education (McMaster U), Education (Queens U), and Physical Therapy (University of Toronto). He has worked in pediatric sports medicine at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, ran a sports medicine clinic at Lakehead University, taught in the sports injury management program at Sheridan College. Dave has had multiple experiences while employed at SOS managing medical coverage for various provincial and national championships held in the KW area. He has traveled extensively representing Canada and was selected to be part of Canadian Health Care Team at: Canada Games, University Games, Commonwealth Games, Francophone Games, Summer & Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Dave has found this setting to be most challenging & rewarding as we treat a myriad of complex orthopedic problems on a daily basis. His sports medicine and athlete centred experiences help him with motivating clients of all ages to do their best. Dave is very athletically active in multiple sports including GOLF, hockey, curling, skiing, and regularly attends hot yoga classes to work on flexibility, strength and balance.

“I have seen my physiotherapist Dave Slover for multiple reasons over the past twenty years. The most significant were for my right shoulder. In 2005 I fell while ski racing and tore my rotator cuff. The damage was significant enough to require shoulder surgery. Post surgical shoulder treatment protocols last for 6 months until the tissues had recovered, then continued on my own at the gym and did very well and returning to full activities with skiing, baseball, golf & horseshoes... Until 2018 when I fell off my bike and suffered a “massive tear” of the rotator cuff of the same shoulder after a fall on concrete. I had a second major surgery, due to more damage this time it takes a little longer to recover but I fully intend to get back to gardening this fall, then skiing this winter and some other new activities to try having just retired. I Want to thank Dave for returning me to health once again. SOS Physiotherapy should be your first choice for most of our weekend warrior injuries." - David Winkler

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Healthcare Services! Belmont Clinic Belmont Centre for Physical Medicine 564 Belmont Avenue West, Suite 301 Kitchener, Ontario N2M 5N6 TEL: (519) 743-4355

Halloween Shenanigans

Campus Clinic University of Waterloo Student Life Centre

200 University Avenue West Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1 TEL: (519) 884-0767

Elmira Clinic Behind Wellness Centre (Clock Tower) 3 Wyatt Street East, Suite 2 Elmira, Ontario N3B 2H4 TEL: (519) 669-1212

www.sosphysiotherapy.ca

NEW WORKSHOP COMING UP SOON!

BACK PAIN & SCIATICA WORKSHOP!

Belmont Clinic Location // Saturday, Nov. 9th @ 10:00am

Workshops are free but seats are limited. Don’t delay, register today by calling now!

Belmont Clinic Belmont Centre for Physical Medicine 564 Belmont Avenue West, Suite 301 Kitchener, Ontario N2M 5N6 TEL: (519) 743-4355

Can Physio Help Your Back Pain?

Bring in This Coupon Today For A Free Low Back Pain Discovery Visit!

Campus Clinic University of Waterloo Student Life Centre

200 University Avenue West Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1 TEL: (519) 884-0767

• Have your back pain assessed • Discuss any previous issues regarding your back • Get a plan of what Physio can do to help all of the above!

Elmira Clinic Behind Wellness Centre (Clock Tower) 3 Wyatt Street East, Suite 2 Elmira, Ontario N3B 2H4 TEL: (519) 669-1212

Call Today!

For use at Belmont and Elmira locations until November 30th only.

SOS PHYSIOTHERAPY BALANCE EXERCISES

Balance exercises can progress from basic to more complex with using a “prop” that makes the person adjust to changes in the environment. Simple object such as a ball, piece of foam (seat cushion), or yoga mat will work. The body will adapt to these simple tasks, then just add longer times balancing.

Single Leg Stance Stand on one leg, can be next to a chair or kitchen counter to begin with: • Eyes open and focus on an stationary object. • The amount of time will often begin with a few seconds and will often become longer as balance improves.

747 Airplane stance with one leg, the other leg lifting behind & arms out to the side.

747 with Foam Same task as above on a less stable object.

Single Leg Stance with Foam

Ball Toss Stand on one leg and toss the ball softly to the person, initially to them and progress away from the center to overhead, side, bounce the ball to them. If no one to toss the ball to you stand a couple of feet from a wall and bounce the ball off the wall to yourself.

As balance improves introduce a less stable object to stand on while doing the Single Leg Stance described above.

Belmont Clinic Belmont Centre for Physical Medicine 564 Belmont Avenue West, Suite 301 Kitchener, Ontario N2M 5N6 TEL: (519) 743-4355

Campus Clinic University of Waterloo Student Life Centre

Elmira Clinic Behind Wellness Centre (Clock Tower) 3 Wyatt Street East, Suite 2 Elmira, Ontario N3B 2H4 TEL: (519) 669-1212

200 University Avenue West Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1 TEL: (519) 884-0767