At some point in their lifetime, most people in the UK will be involved in a road traffic accident. One of the most common complaints following a car accident is whiplash (WAD), this occurs when an individual is suddenly forced forwards, causing a hyper flexion or hyper-extension of the neck. The neck muscles do not have time to brace themselves leading to injury of the muscles, ligaments, capsule of the facet joints and discs of the cervical spine. There is a specialist in neck pain Coventry area that is trained to treat a variety of complaints including whiplash.

In most cases whiplash causes sprained ligaments in the neck, studies have shown that 91% of people suffering from this degree of whiplash have benefitted from chiropractic treatment. For anyone that is suffering from symptoms such as, ringing ears, neck pain or headaches following a car accident, this neck pain Coventry specialist would recommend that the individual visits a chiropractic clinic.

The Central Chiropractic Clinic is fully qualified to deal with a number of musculoskeletal injuries, their treatments range from physical therapy through to cold laser therapy. Anyone that is suffering from whiplash or any other form of neck pain will be comprehensively assessed by a member of their chiropractic team. Assessments are designed to determine the severity of the condition and may include X-ray’s MRI, CT or EMG scans if deemed necessary by the chiropractor. Treatments will then be tailored to the exact requirements of the individual.

If you have been involved in a car accident and are suffering from any sort of neck pain or discomfort, you may want to consider chiropractic treatment. This neck pain Coventry specialist has a vast range of resource available on their site explaining various conditions and the range of treatment that they have to offer. To book an appointment contact a member of their friendly reception team on their local telephone number.

Shoulder Pain and Injuries include;

Frozen Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tendonitis, Bursitis, Rotator Cuff Tear, Shoulder Joint Tear (Glenoid Labrum Tear).Acromioclaviclavicular joint. Tendonitis, Tennis elbow, Biceps Tendon Tear, Triceps, Trigger finger, Shoulder Dislocation, Shoulder Instability, Collarbone, Scapula Fracture,”Burners & Stingers” Cold laser Therapy & Treatment. There all listed below.  

Call 024 7622 2002. Registered with BUPA. AXA PPP. HSA. AVIVA. CIGNA. Simpleyhealth. Standard life. Pru health. Mercia health.Medicash Medisure. All health  insurance accepted

Frozen Shoulder. 

Predisposing Factors, Frozen Shoulder Cold Laser Therapy Pain Relief and recovery. Frozen Shoulder Diagnosed,also including most other common types of Shoulder Pain these are below   

Who gets Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen Shoulder or Adhesive capsulitis is a painful condition mostly affecting people aged 30-70. It is estimated that 3% of population will develop the condition in their lifetime. There is no known racial preference; however, adhesive capsulitis is associated with certain conditions, particularly insulin-dependent diabetes.

Predisposing Factors

There are multiple risk factors predisposing an individual to developing adhesive capsulitis. These predisposing factors may include, shoulder or neck surgery, diabetes, shoulder trauma, inflammatory conditions. Other systemic conditions such as cervical cancer, autoimmune diseases and hypotyriodosm (underactive thyroid) may also to be linked to the condition.

 How Frozen Shoulder is Diagnosed

Diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis is made basing on symptoms and on physical examination of the shoulder. The use of Digital X-rays may show abnormalities such as narrowing of the joint and reduced bone density; however in early phases of adhesive capsulitis shoulder joint appearance in Digital X-ray is normal. 

Treatment of Frozen Shoulder 

Cold laser therapy is now used in treating this condition and is employed by us at Central Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Clinic. Physiotherapy treatment combined with Cold Laser Therapy is extremely effective in reducing both shoulder pain and restricted movement. At present this type of treatment is not available within N.H.S.

Treatment usually combines   use of anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and inflammation with intermittent applications of heat and ice packs. Exercises are prescribed to build strength and improve movement and it is important to persist at these because recovery is gradual but slow. In some cases steroid injections into the joint may be needed. In severe cases the affected shoulder may need to be manipulated under anaesthesia before an aggressive rehabilitation program can be commenced.

Probable Outcomes

The residual symptoms of pain or stiffness are often present even after completion of course of conservative therapy. However, functional disability is rare.

Low Level Cold Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a Handheld, non invasive, light-emitting medical device which is used over different areas of the body. It provides an unmatched advantage in the treatment of conditions such as ,

Frozen shoulder.

Shoulder Injury

Athletic Injuries;

Lower Back Pain
Knee and Foot Pain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Arthritic pain relief and Muscle Spasm 

Relief of Muscles,  Joints and Pain relief, Skin infections. 

Relief of Stiffness and the Promotion of Muscle Relaxation and Cell Restoration
Wound Management and including Skin Ulcers, Pressure Sores and Burns
Soft Tissue Injuries, Including Sprains and Strains, Tendonitis and Haematomas
Joint Disorders and Conditions including Arthritic pain relief and Tenosynovitis
Chronic pain including Trigeminal Neuralgia and Neck and Back Shoulder pain

Frozen Shoulder pain relief

For treatment of ligaments, tendons, muscle sprain Cold Laser Therapy is use at our clinic, reducing pain and accelerating the healing process.

Shoulder Pain and Injuries.

Rotator Cuff Tendinitis, Bursitis, Rotator Cuff Tear, Shoulder Joint Tear (Glenoid Labrum Tear) Tendonitis, Tennis elbow, Biceps Tendon Tear, Triceps, Trigger finger, Shoulder Dislocation, Shoulder Instability, Collarbone, Scapula Fracture, Cold laser Treatment. There all listed below. 

Rotator Cuff Tendinitis or Bursitis Therapy and Treatment

The tendons of the Rotator Cuff rotate the upper shoulder bone (humerus) and help raise the arm by pulling the Humeral head down as the Deltoid muscle pulls the arm up. These tendons may be irritated by pressure from the Acromion process of the Scapula (the upper part of the shoulder blade) and the Coraco-Acromial Ligament. This irritation of the tendons or the lubricating Bursa (connective tissue sack) is referred to as “Tendinitis” or “Bursitis”. This is known collectively as the “Impingement syndrome.

The symptoms of Impingement syndrome present not only as pain on movement, but also as constant pain. This can be accompanied by snapping or cracking sensations on movement. Symptoms may start after an injury which may result in a weakening of the shoulder muscles caused by the pain from the injury.

A clinical diagnosis of Impingement Syndrome is made by physical examination, and X-rays. Sometimes an M.R.I. scan is necessary to exclude rotator cuff tears.

Tendonitis

Tendon problems what are they?

Two main problems associated with tendons include Tendonitis and Tenosynovitis. Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons-the tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. This inflammation can affect any tendon, but is most commonly seen in the wrist and fingers. As the tendons become irritated, pain and swelling will occur.

Tenosynovitis is the inflammation of the lining of the tendon sheaths which enclose the tendons. Sometimes both the sheath and the tendon may become inflamed. The cause of Tenosynovitis is usually strain, excessive use, or injury. Tendonitis may also be related to diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or Diabetes can be implicated in this condition.

Common tendon disorders include:

Lateral Epicondylitis. (Known as tennis elbow)
This condition is characterised by pain in the back of the elbow and forearm, and along the thumb side of the forearm when the arm is alongside the body when the thumb is turned out. The cause of pain is the damage to the tendons that bend the wrist backwards away from the palm (wrist extensors).

Medical Epicondylitis. (Known as Golfer’s Elbow).
This is a condition characterised by pain from the elbow to the wrist on the palm side of the forearm the pain is caused by damage to the tendons that bend the wrist toward the palm (wrist flexors).

DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis.
This is far the most common type of Tenosynovitis disorder, when the sheath of the tendons of the thumb become swollen.

Trigger Finger.
A Tenosynovitis condition in which the tendon sheath of one of the finger flexors becomes inflamed and thickens, preventing the smooth extension or flexion of the finger. The finger may lock or suddenly hence the name “Trigger Finger”.

What are the Symptoms of Tendonitis?

The most common symptoms of Tendonitis are:

• Pain in the tendon with movement
• Fluid accumulation, swelling and inflammation
• There may be grating sensation in absence of swelling

Tendonitis Diagnose

Tendonitis is usually diagnosed after careful medical history and physical examination. The diagnosis is established after diagnostic tests have been completed to rule out other conditions or diseases. Joint aspirations may help to rule out gout or an infection, while X-rays may help to rule out arthritis.

Treatment for Tendonitis:

• Modification of your activity
• Splinting or immobilization
• Steroid injections
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Surgery

Shoulder Joint Tear (Glenoid Labrum Tear) injury Treatment. 

Three bones make up the shoulder joint, the shoulder blade (scapula), the collarbone (clavicle), and the upper arm bone (humerus). The head of the upper arm bone (humeral head) rests in a socket in the shoulder blade called the glenoid. The upper arm bone called the head is larger than the socket; a soft fibrous rim of tissue rim called the labrum surrounds the socket to help stabilize the joint. This rim deepens the socket, so that the head of the upper arm bone fits better. They also serve as an attachment site for several ligaments. Injuries to the tissue rim surrounding the shoulder socket can occur from acute trauma or repetitive shoulder motion.

Examples of traumatic injury include:

• Falling on an outstretched arm
• A blow to the shoulder
• A sudden jerk, as in trying to lift to heavy an object
• A violent overhead stretch or reach, as in when trying to stop a fall

Symptoms of a Shoulder Tear.

• Pain, in overhead activities
• Pulling locking, cracking or grinding
• Occasional pain with daily activities
• Perhaps a sense of instability in the shoulder
• Decreased range in movement
• Lack of strength

(View our Cold Laser Therapy Section under inflammatory conditions.)

Orthopaedic consultant is available at Central Chiropractic Clinic.

Acromioclavicular Joint

An acromioclavicular joint injury can result from a direct blow or fall on the “tip” of the unprotected shoulder or from direct force to the anterior or front of the outstretched arm (i.e. arm tackling), which can cause deformity or elevation of the far, or distal end of the clavicle, pain, and swelling.

Treatment

Treatment with ice and compression; refer to an emergency department to rule out a fracture.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is similar to a clavicle fracture but does not take as long. Gradual range of motion exercises and strengthening can be done as soon as tolerated.

“Burners” and “Stingers”

“Burners” and “stingers” are injuries to the nerve supply of the upper limb, either at the neck or shoulder, most commonly caused by traction forces to the neck during contact or collision sports. A burning or “electric shock” sensation usually accompanies the injury, then, immediate numbness or weakness. In most cases, the injuries are temporary and symptoms resolve quickly, within seconds or minutes, although in 8 percent of cases, they can last hours, days, or even longer.

Treatment

Treatment begins by removing the athlete from the activity. Athletes are not allowed to return to sports activity until symptoms are completely gone. This can take a few minutes or several days. Athletes should never be allowed to return to sports if they have weakness or neck pain.

Although the injury gets better with time, the athlete may need to work with a Chiropractor or physiotherapist to regain strength and motion if the symptoms last for several days.

Prevention

To prevent most shoulder injuries, use correct technique at all times, along with a stretching and strengthening program that also includes the muscles of the neck.

Biceps Tendon Tear at the Shoulder

The tendons attach muscle to bone. The biceps muscle in the upper arm divides into long head and a short heads near the shoulder both attach to the shoulder at different points. At the other end of the muscle the distal biceps tendon connects to the smaller bone in the lower arm called the radius. These connections help the muscle stabilize the shoulder and rotate the lower arm; it also controls the acceleration or deceleration of the arm during overhead motion.

 The long head of the biceps tendon is vulnerable to injury because it travels through the shoulder joint to its point of attachment. The tears of the long head of biceps result in arm weakness; this could also affect arm further by being unable to turn the arm from palm down to palm up. Because the torn tendon can no longer keep the muscle taut, a bulge may also appear it eh upper arm. In case of the distal tendon tears the arm is unable to bed at the elbow.

Causes

Ruptures of the distal tendon near the elbow are not common. They usually occur when an unexpected or extreme force is applied to a bent arm.

The proximal biceps tendons ear the shoulder tear more readily. The tears can be partial or complete, more prevalent in people aged 35 or over and in people with previous shoulder injuries.

Symptoms

• Perhaps an audible snap.
• A bulge in the upper arm
• Bruising to the upper arm, down towards the elbow
• Sudden, sharp pain in the upper arm.
• Pain or tenderness at the shoulder

Diagnosis

A Chiropractor will examine the neck, shoulder and arm and ask you to bend the arm and tighten the biceps muscle. This is done to determine the extent of the injury.

Treatment

• Non-surgical treatment is usually all that is needed for tears in the proximal biceps tendon
• ice applications 20 minutes every hour keep down the swelling
• Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen will reduce the pain
• Rest the muscle completely
• Flexibility and strengthening exercises will keep the shoulder mobile
• Surgical repair of a complete tendon tear
• Complete tears of the distal biceps tendon require surgery to reattach the tendon to the bone
• Partial tears of the distal biceps tendon may be treated either non surgically or surgically

Cold Laser Therapy is extremely effective in treating this type of injury, accelerating the healing process considerably. (View top left corner for further information on shoulder pain under “Pain” and “conditions” for “Cold Laser Therapy” please go to “Treatments”.

Triceps Anatomy

The Triceps Brachii consists of three heads: the lateral, medial, and long heads. Triceps joins the Humerus (shoulder bone) and the Scapula (shoulder blade) to the ulna which is the forearm bone. If you working out in gym you must assure you implement Triceps exercises that target all three of the Triceps heads, as this will fully develop the heads of triceps muscle.

In Training the triceps muscles, you must keep a constant tension throughout triceps isolation movements over the full range of motion. It is also imperative to flex the entire triceps muscle by simply extending the arms fully to get the most muscle fibre recruitment.

Triceps Injuries Treatment

Chiropractic treatment including Cold Laser Therapy (used by professional weight lifters and body builders and football clubs such as Chelsea FC.)

For further information on shoulder pain, triceps, Biceps, and other shoulder conditions, go to top left under “Pain” or “Conditions” and “Treatments” for Cold Laser Therapy,  

Shoulder Dislocation

West Midlands shoulder dislocations occur when the head of the humerus which is the upper arm bone, jumps out of the shoulder socket of the scapula, which is called the glenoid. This can happen during severe wrench pulling the shoulder upward or outward, or from combined over-extension and external rotation of the humerus.

Glenohumeral dislocations are generally classified by the direction of dislocation of the humerus.

A dislocation can be full or partial:

• A partial dislocation which also known as subluxation, when the head of the humerus slips out of the socket momentarily and then snaps back into place (socket)
• A full dislocation, when the head of the humerus comes completely out of the socket

Shoulder dislocations are normally associated with fractures to different parts of the shoulder; there may be a fracture and dislocation at the same time. Nerves and blood vessels can sometimes be injured with a severe shoulder dislocation.

Causes

• Falling on an outstretched arm
• A direct or powerful blow to the shoulder area.
• Repetitive sports or activities i.e. throwing or lifting
• Any kind of force applied to an outstretched arm

Symptoms

•   Swelling
•   Bruising
•   Pain, often severe
•   Shoulder contour appears abnormal
•   Bruising Instability and weakness in the shoulder area
•   Inability to move the shoulder
•   Bruising Instability and weakness in the shoulder area
•   Numbness and tingling around the shoulder or in the arm or fingers
•   Seek immediate medical attention.

Shoulder instability

Shoulder instability is a condition in which one of the bones in the shoulder joint moves partially or fully out of place. The head of the humerus, the upper arm bone, moves within the socket of the shoulder in more than one direction. Instability happens when the head of the humerus slips outside its normal position. The classification of this disorder is defined by the changes in degree of movement in the joint and by the change of direction in the movement of the joint.

Dislocation
when the humeral head moves completely out of the socket

Subluxation.

Humeral head moves partially out of the shoulder socket.

• Anterior
  when the humeral head moves forwards. This is a very common injury in young men. Men having great shoulder flexibility are more prone to this injury.
• Posterior
  when the humeral head moves backwards. This is due to severe muscle spasm during an electric shock or epileptic seizure.
• Multidirectional
  this occurs in people born with loose joints. Muscles contracting and relaxing may trigger a multidirectional instability episode. Also certain sports that require greater shoulder range of motion such as swimming may also lead to multidirectional instability.

Shoulder instability usually results from an old injury producing a dislocation that, even when healed, leads to stretching of the shoulder capsule and ligaments.  

 Diagnosis

 Symptoms of shoulder instability may include:

• Numb feeling down the arm
• Shoulder can slip out of place
• Pain in and around the shoulder area
• Shoulder or arm may feel weak
• Shoulder feels loose. (Slack)
• X-Ray may be needed
• Treatment Options
• Cold laser therapy: this treatment is excellent for this type of injury reducing the healing time and inflammation. See our section on Cold Laser Therapy.
• Rest
• Ice will help control pain
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs These include: aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)

 Rehabilitation

Can last several months and may include: physical therapy to strengthen the muscles that control the shoulder joint.

For further in depth information on shoulder pain or conditions please go to top left corner under “Pain” or “Conditions” and “treatments” for Cold laser Therapy.

Collarbone fracture

The collarbone is a part of the shoulder. Its function is to connect the arm to the body. The collarbone sits directly above several important nerves and blood vessels. These vital soft tissues are rarely injured when the collarbone breaks. The collarbone is a long bone, and most breaks occur in the middle of the bone.

Causes 

A broken collarbone, or the medical term a fractured clavicle is a common injury. Many babies are born with a broken collarbone this is due to child birth, also to people in contacted sports such as rugby or just  general accidents where a fall results in a  severe blow or  a heavy fall to the shoulder .  

The collarbone doesn’t harden until a person is about 21 years old; a child’s collarbone can easily be broken from a direct blow or fall.

Symptoms include.

• A hump or “bump” over the fracture area
• Shoulder hanging down and forward
• Unable to lift the arm due to the pain
• A grinding sensation attempting to raise the arm

Diagnosis

There is always an obvious deformity, or “bump,” around the fractured area. A small amount of pressure over the fracture area will bring about pain. Also, a grinding feeling can be felt when the patient attempts to raise the arm. It’s rare for a fragment of bone to break through the skin, An X-ray is often done to pinpoint the location and severity of the break. Then an assessment should be carried out by a medical trained practitioner.

Nonsurgical Treatment

• Most broken collarbones heal well without surgery.
• A simple arm sling will be used to immobilize the arm. A child may have to wear the sling for 4 to 6 weeks; an adult may have to wear it for 4 to 8 weeks. Depending on the location of the break
• Medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, will help reduce pain. But for a speedy recovery see our cold laser therapy section this is under inflammatory conditions on the home page   

Scapula Fracture

The scapula is of triangular shape and mobile. It’s also protected by a complex system of surrounding muscles. The shoulder blade or scapula fractures are very rare. Scapular fractures are usually classified at the high end of the impact scale. Falling from a significant height or a major car accident are usually the types of impact that required the scapula to fracture and is usually associated with other major injuries including broken ribs, damage to the head, lugs or spinal cord. Without treatment fractured scapula may result in chronic shoulder pain.

 Symptoms

• Abrasions to the skin.
• Swelling at the back of the shoulder.
• Sever pain when moving the arm.

Diagnosis

For appropriate treatment, your Physiotherapist/ Chiropractor will probably need to take X-rays of the chest and shoulder. This can determine if one or more parts of the scapula may be fractured. The parts of the scapula that are prone to fracture are:

• Scapular body
• Scapular neck
• Glenoid
• Acromion
• Coracoid

Treatment

Non-surgical treatment such as sling works for most fractures of the scapula. The immobilization due to the sling holds the shoulder in place while the bone heals. This type of fractures may need 2 to 6 weeks of immobilization.

The shoulder may feel stiff when the sling is removed. You should begin limited active use of your shoulder immediately

For further in depth information please go to top left corner under “Pain” or “Conditions” and “Treatments” for Cold Laser Therapy.

Shoulder Problems include;

Frozen Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tendonitis, Bursitis, Rotator Cuff Tear, Shoulder Joint Tear (Glenoid Labrum Tear). Labral Tears.  Acromioclavicular Joint , “Burners” and “Stingers, Tendonitis, Tennis Elbow,DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis. Biceps Tendon Tear, Triceps, Trigger finger, Shoulder Dislocation, Shoulder Instability, Collarbone, Scapula Fracture, Cold laser Treatment.  There all listed below. 

Call 024 7622 2002. Registered with BUPA. AXA PPP. HSA. AVIVA. CIGNA. Simpleyhealth. Standard life. Pru health. Mercia health.Medicash Medisure. All health  insurance accepted

Rotator Cuff Tendonitis or Bursitis Therapy and Treatment

The tendons of the Rotator Cuff rotate the upper shoulder bone (humerus) and help raise the arm by pulling the Humeral head down as the Deltoid muscle pulls the arm up. These tendons may be irritated by pressure from the Acromion process of the Scapula (the upper part of the shoulder blade) and the Coraco-Acromial Ligament. This irritation of the tendons or the lubricating Bursa (connective tissue sack) is referred to as “Tendonitis” or “Bursitis”. This is known collectively as the “Impingement syndrome.

The symptoms of Impingement syndrome present not only as pain on movement, but also as constant pain. This can be accompanied by snapping or cracking sensations on movement. Symptoms may start after an injury which may result in a weakening of the shoulder muscles caused by the pain from the injury.

A clinical diagnosis of Impingement Syndrome is made by physical examination, and X-rays. Sometimes an M.R.I. scan is necessary to exclude rotator cuff tears.

Tendonitis

Tendon problems what are they?

Two main problems associated with tendons include Tendonitis and Tenosynovitis. Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons-the tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. This inflammation can affect any tendon, but is most commonly seen in the wrist and fingers. As the tendons become irritated, pain and swelling will occur.

Tenosynovitis is the inflammation of the lining of the tendon sheaths which enclose the tendons. Sometimes both the sheath and the tendon may become inflamed. The cause of Tenosynovitis is usually strain, excessive use, or injury. Tendonitis may also be related to diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or Diabetes can be implicated in this condition.

Common tendon disorders include:

Lateral Epicondylitis. (Known as tennis elbow)
This condition is characterised by pain in the back of the elbow and forearm, and along the thumb side of the forearm when the arm is alongside the body when the thumb is turned out. The cause of pain is the damage to the tendons that bend the wrist backwards away from the palm (wrist extensors).

Medical Epicondylitis. (Known as Golfer’s Elbow).
This is a condition characterised by pain from the elbow to the wrist on the palm side of the forearm the pain is caused by damage to the tendons that bend the wrist toward the palm (wrist flexors).

DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis.
This is far the most common type of Tenosynovitis disorder, when the sheath of the tendons of the thumb become swollen.

Trigger Finger.
A Tenosynovitis condition in which the tendon sheath of one of the finger flexors becomes inflamed and thickens, preventing the smooth extension or flexion of the finger. The finger may lock or suddenly hence the name “Trigger Finger”.

What are the Symptoms of Tendonitis?

The most common symptoms of Tendonitis are:

• Pain in the tendon with movement
• Fluid accumulation, swelling and inflammation
• There may be grating sensation in absence of swelling

Tendonitis Diagnose

Tendonitis is usually diagnosed after careful medical history and physical examination. The diagnosis is established after diagnostic tests have been completed to rule out other conditions or diseases. Joint aspirations may help to rule out gout or an infection, while X-rays may help to rule out arthritis.

Treatment for Tendonitis:

• Modification of your activity
• Splinting or immobilization
• Steroid injections
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Surgery

(view our Cold Laser Therapy section under ‘Treatments’.)

Shoulder Joint Tear (Glenoid Labrum Tear) injury Treatment. 

Three bones make up the shoulder joint, the shoulder blade (scapula), the collarbone (clavicle), and the upper arm bone (humerus). The head of the upper arm bone (humeral head) rests in a socket in the shoulder blade called the glenoid. The upper arm bone called the head is larger than the socket; a soft fibrous rim of tissue rim called the labrum surrounds the socket to help stabilize the joint. This rim deepens the socket, so that the head of the upper arm bone fits better. They also serve as an attachment site for several ligaments. Injuries to the tissue rim surrounding the shoulder socket can occur from acute trauma or repetitive shoulder motion.

Examples of traumatic injury include:

• Falling on an outstretched arm
• A blow to the shoulder
• A sudden jerk, as in trying to lift to heavy an object
• A violent overhead stretch or reach, as in when trying to stop a fall

Symptoms of a Shoulder Tear.

• Pain, in overhead activities
• Pulling locking, cracking or grinding
• Occasional pain with daily activities
• Perhaps a sense of instability in the shoulder
• Decreased range in movement
• Lack of strength

(View our Cold Laser Therapy Section under inflammatory conditions.)

Acromioclavicular Joint

Anacromioclavicular  joint injury can result from a direct blow or fall on the “tip” of the unprotected shoulder or from direct force to the anterior or front of the outstretched arm (i.e. arm tackling), which can cause deformity or elevation of the far, or distal end of the clavicle, pain, and swelling.

Treatment

Treatment with ice and compression; refer to an emergency department to rule out a fracture.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is similar to a clavicle fracture but does not take as long. Gradual range of motion exercises and strengthening can be done as soon as tolerated.

“Burners” and “Stingers”

“Burners” and “stingers” are injuries to the nerve supply of the upper limb, either at the neck or shoulder, most commonly caused by traction forces to the neck during contact or collision sports. A burning or “electric shock” sensation usually accompanies the injury, then, immediate numbness or weakness. In most cases, the injuries are temporary and symptoms resolve quickly, within seconds or minutes, although in 8 percent of cases, they can last hours, days, or even longer.

Treatment

Treatment begins by removing the athlete from the activity. Athletes are not allowed to return to sports activity until symptoms are completely gone. This can take a few minutes or several days. Athletes should never be allowed to return to sports if they have weakness or neck pain.

Although the injury gets better with time, the athlete may need to work with a Chiropractor or physiotherapist to regain strength and motion if the symptoms last for several days.

Prevention

To prevent most shoulder injuries, use correct technique at all times, along with a stretching and strengthening program that also includes the muscles of the neck.

Orthopaedic consultant is available at Central Chiropractic Clinic.

Biceps Tendon Tear at the Shoulder

The tendons attach muscle to bone. The biceps muscle in the upper arm divides into long head and a short heads near the shoulder both attach to the shoulder at different points. At the other end of the muscle the distal biceps tendon connects to the smaller bone in the lower arm called the radius. These connections help the muscle stabilize the shoulder and rotate the lower arm; it also controls the acceleration or deceleration of the arm during overhead motion.

The long head of the biceps tendon is vulnerable to injury because it travels through the shoulder joint to its point of attachment. The tears of the long head of biceps result in arm weakness; this could also affect arm further by being unable to turn the arm from palm down to palm up. Because the torn tendon can no longer keep the muscle taut, a bulge may also appear it eh upper arm. In case of the distal tendon tears the arm is unable to bed at the elbow.

Causes

Ruptures of the distal tendon near the elbow are not common. They usually occur when an unexpected or extreme force is applied to a bent arm.

The proximal biceps tendons ear the shoulder tear more readily. The tears can be partial or complete, more prevalent in people aged 35 or over and in people with previous shoulder injuries.

Symptoms

• Perhaps an audible snap.
• A bulge in the upper arm
• Bruising to the upper arm, down towards the elbow
• Sudden, sharp pain in the upper arm.
• Pain or tenderness at the shoulder

Diagnosis

A Chiropractor will examine the neck, shoulder and arm and ask you to bend the arm and tighten the biceps muscle. This is done to determine the extent of the injury.

Treatment

• Non-surgical treatment is usually all that is needed for tears in the proximal biceps tendon
• ice applications 20 minutes every hour keep down the swelling
• Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen will reduce the pain
• Rest the muscle completely
• Flexibility and strengthening exercises will keep the shoulder mobile
• Surgical repair of a complete tendon tear
• Complete tears of the distal biceps tendon require surgery to reattach the tendon to the bone
• Partial tears of the distal biceps tendon may be treated either non surgically or surgically

View our “Cold Laser therapy” section.

Cold Laser Therapy is extremely effective in treating this type of injury, accelerating the healing process considerably. (View top left corner for further information on shoulder pain under “Pain” and “conditions” for “Cold Laser Therapy” please go to “Treatments”.

Triceps Anatomy

The Triceps Brachii consists of three heads: the lateral, medial, and long heads. Triceps joins the Humerus (shoulder bone) and the Scapula (shoulder blade) to the ulna which is the forearm bone. If you working out in gym you must assure you implement Triceps exercises that target all three of the Triceps heads, as this will fully develop the heads of triceps muscle.

In Training the triceps muscles, you must keep a constant tension throughout triceps isolation movements over the full range of motion. It is also imperative to flex the entire triceps muscle by simply extending the arms fully to get the most muscle fibre recruitment.

Triceps Injuries Treatment

Cold Laser Therapy (used by professional weight lifters and body builders and football clubs such as Chelsea FC.) For further information on shoulder pain, triceps, Biceps, and other shoulder conditions, go to top left under “Pain” or “Conditions” and “Treatments” for Cold Laser Therapy. 

Shoulder Dislocation

West Midlands shoulder dislocations occur when the head of the humerus which is the upper arm bone, jumps out of the shoulder socket of the scapula, which is called the glenoid. This can happen during severe wrench pulling the shoulder upward or outward, or from combined over-extension and external rotation of the humerus.

Glenohumeral dislocations are generally classified by the direction of dislocation of the humerus.

A dislocation can be full or partial:

• A partial dislocation which also known as subluxation, when the head of the humerus slips out of the socket momentarily and then snaps back into place (socket)
• A full dislocation, when the head of the humerus comes completely out of the socket

Shoulder dislocations are normally associated with fractures to different parts of the shoulder; there may be a fracture and dislocation at the same time. Nerves and blood vessels can sometimes be injured with a severe shoulder dislocation.

Causes

• Falling on an outstretched arm
• A direct or powerful blow to the shoulder area.
• Repetitive sports or activities i.e. throwing or lifting
• Any kind of force applied to an outstretched arm

Symptoms

•   Swelling
•   Bruising
•   Pain, often severe
•   Shoulder contour appears abnormal
•   Bruising Instability and weakness in the shoulder area
•   Inability to move the shoulder
•   Bruising Instability and weakness in the shoulder area
•   Numbness and tingling around the shoulder or in the arm or fingers
•    Seek immediate medical attention.

Shoulder instability

Shoulder instability is a condition in which one of the bones in the shoulder joint moves partially or fully out of place. The head of the humerus, the upper arm bone, moves within the socket of the shoulder in more than one direction. Instability happens when the head of the humerus slips outside its normal position. The classification of this disorder is defined by the changes in degree of movement in the joint and by the change of direction in the movement of the joint.

Dislocation
when the humeral head moves completely out of the socket

Subluxation.

Humeral head moves partially out of the shoulder socket.

• Anterior
  when the humeral head moves forwards. This is a very common injury in young men. Men having great shoulder flexibility are more prone to this injury.
• Posterior
  when the humeral head moves backwards. This is due to severe muscle spasm during an electric shock or epileptic seizure.
• Multidirectional
  this occurs in people born with loose joints. Muscles contracting and relaxing may trigger a multidirectional instability episode. Also certain sports that require greater shoulder range of motion such as swimming may also lead to multidirectional instability.

Shoulder instability usually results from an old injury producing a dislocation that, even when healed, leads to stretching of the shoulder capsule and ligaments.  

 Diagnosis

 Symptoms of shoulder instability may include:

• Numb feeling down the arm
• Shoulder can slip out of place
• Pain in and around the shoulder area
• Shoulder or arm may feel weak
• Shoulder feels loose. (Slack)
• X-Ray may be needed
• Treatment Options
• Cold laser therapy: this treatment is excellent for this type of injury reducing the healing time and inflammation. See our section on Cold Laser Therapy.
• Rest
• Ice will help control pain
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs These include: aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)

 Rehabilitation

Can last several months and may include: physical therapy to strengthen the muscles that control the shoulder joint.

Cold Laser Therapy is extremely effective in treating this type of injury, accelerating the healing process considerably. (View top left corner for further information on shoulder pain under “Pain” and “conditions” for “Cold Laser Therapy” please go to “Treatments”.

Collarbone fracture

The collarbone is a part of the shoulder. Its function is to connect the arm to the body. The collarbone sits directly above several important nerves and blood vessels. These vital soft tissues are rarely injured when the collarbone breaks. The collarbone is a long bone, and most breaks occur in the middle of the bone.

Causes 

A broken collarbone, or the medical term a fractured clavicle is a common injury. Many babies are born with a broken collarbone this is due to child birth, also to people in contacted sports such as rugby or just  general accidents where a fall results in a  severe blow or  a heavy fall to the shoulder .  

The collarbone doesn’t harden until a person is about 21 years old; a child’s collarbone can easily be broken from a direct blow or fall.

Symptoms include.

• A hump or “bump” over the fracture area
• Shoulder hanging down and forward
• Unable to lift the arm due to the pain
• A grinding sensation attempting to raise the arm

Diagnosis

There is always an obvious deformity, or “bump,” around the fractured area. A small amount of pressure over the fracture area will bring about pain. Also, a grinding feeling can be felt when the patient attempts to raise the arm. It’s rare for a fragment of bone to break through the skin, An X-ray is often done to pinpoint the location and severity of the break. Then an assessment should be carried out by a medical trained practitioner.

Nonsurgical Treatment

• Most broken collarbones heal well without surgery.
• A simple arm sling will be used to immobilize the arm. A child may have to wear the sling for 4 to 6 weeks; an adult may have to wear it for 4 to 8 weeks. Depending on the location of the break
• Medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, will help reduce pain. But for a speedy recovery see our cold laser therapy section this is under inflammatory conditions on the home page   

Scapula Fracture

The scapula is of triangular shape and mobile. It’s also protected by a complex system of surrounding muscles. The shoulder blade or scapula fractures are very rare. Scapular fractures are usually classified at the high end of the impact scale. Falling from a significant height or a major car accident are usually the types of impact that required the scapula to fracture and is usually associated with other major injuries including broken ribs, damage to the head, lugs or spinal cord. Without treatment fractured scapula may result in chronic shoulder pain.

 Symptoms

• Abrasions to the skin.
• Swelling at the back of the shoulder.
• Sever pain when moving the arm.

Diagnosis

For appropriate treatment, your Physiotherapist/ Chiropractor will probably need to take X-rays of the chest and shoulder. This can determine if one or more parts of the scapula may be fractured. The parts of the scapula that are prone to fracture are:

• Scapular body
• Scapular neck
• Glenoid
• Acromion
• Coracoid

Treatment

Non-surgical treatment such as sling works for most fractures of the scapula. The immobilization due to the sling holds the shoulder in place while the bone heals. This type of fractures may need 2 to 6 weeks of immobilization.

The shoulder may feel stiff when the sling is removed. You should begin limited active use of your shoulder immediately

(View our cold laser therapy section for treatment and recovery).

Frozen Shoulder. Predisposing Factors, Frozen Shoulder Cold Laser Therapy Pain Relief and recovery. Frozen Shoulder Diagnosed,also including most other common types of Shoulder Pain these are below   

Who gets Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen Shoulder or Adhesive capsulitis is a painful condition mostly affecting people aged 30-70. It is estimated that 3% of population will develop the condition in their lifetime. There is no known racial preference; however, adhesive capsulitis is associated with certain conditions, particularly insulin-dependent diabetes.

Predisposing Factors

There are multiple risk factors predisposing an individual to developing adhesive capsulitis. These predisposing factors may include, shoulder or neck surgery, diabetes, shoulder trauma, inflammatory conditions. Other systemic conditions such as cervical cancer, autoimmune diseases and hypotyriodosm (underactive thyroid) may also to be linked to the condition.

 How Frozen Shoulder is Diagnosed

Diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis is made basing on symptoms and on physical examination of the shoulder. The use of Digital X-rays may show abnormalities such as narrowing of the joint and reduced bone density; however in early phases of adhesive capsulitis shoulder joint appearance in Digital X-ray is normal. 

Treatment of Frozen Shoulder 

Cold laser therapy is now used in treating this condition and is employed by us at Central Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Clinic. Physiotherapy treatment combined with Cold Laser Therapy is extremely effective in reducing both shoulder pain and restricted movement. At present this type of treatment is not available within N.H.S.

Treatment usually combines   use of anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and inflammation with intermittent applications of heat and ice packs. Exercises are prescribed to build strength and improve movement and it is important to persist at these because recovery is gradual but slow. In some cases steroid injections into the joint may be needed. In severe cases the affected shoulder may need to be manipulated under anaesthesia before an aggressive rehabilitation program can be commenced.

Probable Outcomes

The residual symptoms of pain or stiffness are often present even after completion of course of conservative therapy. However, functional disability is rare.

Low Level Cold Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a Handheld, non invasive, light-emitting medical device which is used over different areas of the body. It provides an unmatched advantage in the treatment of conditions such as 

Frozen shoulder.

Athletic Injuries;

Lower Back Pain
Knee and Foot Pain
Shoulder Injury
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Arthritic pain relief and Muscle Spasm 

Relief of Muscle and Joint Pain, Skin infections. 

Relief of Stiffness and the Promotion of Muscle Relaxation and Cell Restoration
Wound Management and including Skin Ulcers, Pressure Sores and Burns
Soft Tissue Injuries, Including Sprains and Strains, Tendonitis and Haematomas
Joint Disorders and Conditions including Arthritic pain relief and Tenosynovitis
Chronic pain including Trigeminal Neuralgia and Neck and Back Shoulder pain

Frozen Shoulder Pain relief, for treatment of ligaments, tendons, muscle sprain Cold Laser Therapy is use at our clinic, reducing pain and accelerating the healing process.

For further in depth information please go to top left corner under “Pain” or “Conditions” and “Treatments” for Cold Laser Therapy.

The Knee. Pain, Ligament injury, Conditions and Injuries including Cold Laser Treatment and TOG GaitScan, Call 024 7622 2002 Registered with BUPA. AXA PPP. HSA. AVIVA. CIGNA. Simpleyhealth. Standard life. Pru health. Mercia health.Medicash Medisure. All health insurance accepted.

The knee and what is its function?

The knee is a joint which has three parts. The thigh bone (femur) meets the large shin bone (tibia) forming the main knee joint. This joint has an inner (medial) and an outer (lateral) compartment. The kneecap (patella) joins the femur to form a third joint, called the patellofemoral joint.

The knee is a joint which has three parts. The thigh bone (femur) meets the large shin bone (tibia) forming the main knee joint. This joint has an inner (medial) and an outer (lateral) compartment. The kneecap (patella) joins the femur to form a third joint, called the patellofemoral joint. 

The knee joint is surrounded by a joint capsule with ligaments strapping the inside and outside of the joint (collateral ligaments) as well as crossing within the joint (cruciate ligaments). These ligaments provide stability and strength to the knee joint.

The meniscus is a thickened cartilage pad between the two joints formed by the femur and tibia. The meniscus acts as a smooth surface for the joint to move on. The knee joint is surrounded by fluid-filled sacs called bursae, which serve as gliding surfaces that reduce friction of the tendons. Below the kneecap, there is a large tendon (patellar tendon) which attaches to the front of the tibia bone. There are large blood vessels passing through the area behind the knee (referred to as the popliteal space). The large muscles of the thigh move the knee. In the front of the thigh, the quadriceps muscles extend the knee joint. In the back of the thigh, the hamstring muscles flex the knee. The knee also rotates slightly under guidance of specific muscles of the thigh.

The knee functions to allow movement of the leg and is critical to normal walking. The knee flexes normally to a maximum of 120 degrees and extends to 0 degrees. The bursae, or fluid-filled sacs, serve as gliding surfaces for the tendons to reduce the force of friction as these tendons move. The knee is a weight-bearing joint. Each meniscus serves to evenly load the surface during weight-bearing and also aids in disbursing joint fluid for joint lubrication.

Knee Pain

Knee pain can be caused by injury, degeneration, arthritis, infrequently infection, and rarely bone tumours. The knee joint is the most commonly involved joint in rheumatic diseases, immune diseases that affect various tissues of the body including the joints to cause arthritis.

Ligaments within the knee (cruciate ligaments) and on the inner and outer sides of the knee (collateral ligaments) can be sprained or torn.

Surgical repair of ligament injury can involve suturing, grafting, and synthetic graft repair. Routine x-rays do not reveal ligament or meniscus tears, but can be used to exclude other problems of the bones and other tissues.

Injury and Symptoms

Injury can affect any of the ligaments, bursae, or tendons surrounding the knee joint. Injury can also affect the ligaments, cartilage, menisci (plural for meniscus), and bones forming the joint. The design of the knee joint and that it is an active weight-bearing joint are factors in making the knee one of the most injured joints of the human body.

(View cold laser section under conditions treated).

Ligament Injury and Treatment

Trauma can cause a severe injury to the ligaments on the inner (medial) portion of the knee, the outer (lateral) portion of the knee (lateral collateral ligament), or within the knee (cruciate ligaments). Injuries to these areas are noticed as immediate knee pain, but are difficult to localize. A collateral ligament injury is felt on the inner or outer portion of the knee. A collateral ligament injury is tenderness over and around the area of the ligament involved. A cruciate ligament injury is felt within the knee. It is sometimes noticed with a “popping” sensation with the initial trauma. A ligament injury to the knee is painful and may be swollen the knee pain is usually worsened by bending the knee, putting weight on the knee, or even walking. The severity of the injury can vary from minor stretching or tearing of the ligament, such as a sprain to severe and complete tear of the ligament the knee can have more than one area injured in a single traumatic event.

Ligament injuries are initially treated with ice packs and immobilization, with rest and elevation. It is generally initially recommended to avoid bearing weight on the injured joint, and crutches may be required for walking. Some patients are placed in splints or braces to immobilize the joint to decrease pain and promote healing. Arthroscopic or open surgery may be necessary to repair severe injuries.

(View our cold laser section. Conditions treated)

Meniscus Tears and Treatment

The meniscus can be torn with the shearing forces of rotation that are applied to the knee during sharp, rapid motions. This is especially common in sports such as football and other rapid motion activities. There is a higher incidence with aging and degeneration of the underlying cartilage. Several tears can be present in an individual meniscus. A meniscal tear may have a rapid onset of a popping sensation with a certain activity or movement of the knee. Occasionally, it is associated with swelling in the knee It is also associated with locking or an unstable sensation in the knee joint. X-rays while they do not reveal a meniscal tear can be used to exclude other problems of the knee. The meniscal tear can be diagnosed in one of three ways: arthroscopy, arthrography, or an MRI. Arthroscopy is a surgical technique by which a small diameter video camera is inserted through tiny incisions on the sides of the knee for the purposes of examining and repairing internal knee joint problems. Micro instruments can be used during arthroscopy to repair the torn meniscus.

(View cold laser section under Conditions treated)

Arthrography is a radiology technique whereby a contrast liquid is directly injected into the knee joint and internal structures of the knee joint thereby become visible on x-ray film. An MRI scan is another radiology technique whereby magnetic fields and a computer combine to produce two- or three-dimensional images of the internal structures of the body. It does not use x-rays, and can give accurate information about the internal structures of the knee when considering a surgical intervention. Meniscal tears are often visible using an MRI scanner. MRI scans have largely replaced arthrography in diagnosing meniscal tears of the knee. Meniscal tears are generally repaired arthroscopically.

(View cold laser therapy section under Conditions treated).

Tendonitis and Treatment

Knee Pain and tendonitis of the knee occurs in the front of the knee below the kneecap at the patellar tendon (patellar tendonitis) or in the back of the knee at the popliteal tendon (popliteal tendonitis). Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon, which often occurs by a strain or impacted sport such as jumping. Patellar tendonitis also has the name “jumper’s knee.” Tendonitis is diagnosed based on the presence of pain and tenderness localized to the tendon. It is treated with ice packs, and cold laser therapy {see our cold laser section} cortisone injections, which can be given for tendonitis elsewhere, are generally avoided in patellar tendonitis because there are reports of risk of tendon rupture as a result of corticosteroids in this area. In severe cases, surgery can be required. A rupture of the tendon below or above the kneecap can occur. This may lead to bleeding within the knee joint and severe pain with knee movement. Surgery of the ruptured tendon is often necessary.

(View cold laser therapy section under Conditions treated).

Diseases or Conditions

Diseases or conditions that involve the knee joint, the soft tissues and bones surrounding the knee, or the nerves that supply sensation to the knee area can result in knee pain. In fact, the knee joint is the most commonly affected joint in rheumatic diseases, immune diseases that involve various tissues of the body including the joints to cause arthritis.

Arthritis is inflammation within a joint. The causes of knee joint inflammation range from types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis, which is a degeneration, or wear and tear, of the cartilage of the knee, to inflammatory types of arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout). Treatment of the arthritis is directed according to the nature of the specific type with cold laser being one of the most effective types of treatment in managing the inflammation.

Baker cyst is another common cause of pain at the back of the knee resulting from swelling of the knee joint from arthritis leading to a localized collection of fluid accumulating in a cyst behind the knee.

Tumours and Infections of the bone or joint can rarely be a serious cause of knee pain and have associated signs of infection including fever, extreme heat, warmth of the joint, chills of the body, and may be associated with puncture wounds in the area around the knee.

Pellegrini-Stieda syndrome is a calcification of the collateral ligament on the inside of the knee joint. With this condition, the knee can become inflamed and can be treated conservatively with ice packs, immobilization, and rest. Infrequently, it requires a local injection of corticosteroids.

Chondromalacia refers to a softening of the cartilage under the kneecap (patella). It is a common cause of deep knee pain and stiffness in young women and can be associated with pain and stiffness after prolonged sitting or climbing stairs. Treatment with anti-inflammatory medications, ice packs and rest may help. (See our Cold Laser Therapy Section under Inflammatory conditions.). Bursitis of the knee occurs on the inside of the knee (anserine bursitis) and the front of the kneecap (patellar bursitis, or commonly known as “housemaid’s knee”). Bursitis is generally treated with ice packs, immobilization, and anti-inflammatory medications or Cold laser therapy.

(View our Cold laser section under inflammatory conditions.)

TOG GaitScan™

Our GaitScan™ System is a revolutionary diagnostic tool for assessing patient’s foot biomechanics. GaitScan™ has an industry high 4096 sensors and scans at an industry high 300Hz (scans per second).  These measurements provide today’s Chiropractors with a sophisticated explanation of foot mechanics and assists them with orthotic and/or shoe solutions.

Orthotics are custom made shoe inserts designed to correct faulty foot biomechanics. Orthotics may be helpful in relieving your knee pain by reducing stress and strain through the knee joint.

For further in depth information please go to top left corner under “Pain” or “Conditions”, treatments can include Tog GaitScan this is below. Also cold laser therapy is excellent in treating foot Injuries and pain.

Knee ligaments; Knee Pain, Sports Injuries. Cold Laser Treatment.

Knee Ligaments Medial Collateral, Anterior Curciate, Posterior Cruciate, Lateral Collateral Ligaments

View our Cold laser section for treatment for these injuries, under inflammatory conditions in our ”Treatments” section. Cold Laser Therapy accelerates the healing process, thus saving time and returning to your sport sooner than you normally would if you had taken normal medication. World class athletes and the military use this method of reducing both pain and injury time 

Ligaments connect one bone to another within the joins and contribute stability and flexibility of the joint. 

Medial Collateral Ligament.

This ligament is on the one on the inside of the knee and is taut when the leg is straight. The ligament itself is strong but can be sprained or completely ruptured by simultaneous twisting and straightening of the leg. 

Anterior Cruciate Ligament.

The anterior cruciate ligament or ACL runs from the outside of the back of the thigh bone to the inside of the front or anterior of the shin bone.  The two cruciate ligaments cross over each other; the ACL crosses in front of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament. Together they stabilize the front to back movements of the knee.

The ACL is half the strength of your Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL). This ligament is the most likely knee ligament to be injured during sporting activities.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament.

The Posterior Cruciate Ligament or PCL starts from the inside edge of your thigh bone and inserts to the back or posterior aspect of your shin bone.  

Lateral Collateral Ligament. 

The Lateral Collateral Ligament or LCL runs from the bottom of the thigh bone to the top of the shin bone on the outside of knee joint.

Other Soft Tissue Injuries.

The soft tissues around the knee can also be injured. 

Sports that involve twisting of the upper leg while the foot is planted on the floor may lead to a tear of the meniscus. The menisci are two crescent shaped discs of shock absorbing cartilage located between the bones of knee joint.

The patellar tendon is also known as the patellar ligament, and connects the kneecap to the thigh muscle. If the knee is bent too far back, this tendon may also tear.

Symptoms of Knee Injuries

The symptoms for most ligament injuries will be similar, these include:

·    Pain 

·    swelling 

·    Instability

Complete rupture of the ACL, may cause a popping sound which in turn may lead to a snap inside the knee, as if the knee has given way. 

Meniscus Injury will cause pain on either inside or outside of the knee joint. This will bring on swelling, the knee may lock or feel as if it’s catching or grinding.

Damage to the patellar tendon means the leg will be unable to straighten properly. This will then lead to knee pain, swelling and weakness. 

Causes of Knee Injuries 

If the knee receives an impact or a movement exceeding its usual range of movement, for example if you have a fall or land awkwardly this may result in such an injury.

·    sports combining running, jumping and stopping with quick change

Of direction such as football rugby, tennis etc.

·    pre-existing condition such as osteoarthritis.

·    impact of the knee or Knees on the dashboard in a car accident will result in PCL damage and is called the “dashboard injury”. 

Diagnosis of Knee Injuries 

Chiropractors or Physiotherapists will examine the knee, only then will various tests will be undertaken to establish which ligament is injured.  

MCL injuries: Chiropractors or Physiotherapists will find out how badly the ligament is damaged by testing the range of movement by moving the lower leg outwards while holding your upper leg still. There are three grades of knee injury. 

·    Grade 1 is a sprain.

·    Grade 2 is a partial tear 

·    Grade 3 is a complete tear

ACL integrity is tested by a chiropractor, by pulling the lower leg forward with the thigh held still and the leg bent.  

If a Chiropractor suspect’s injury to a PCL, they will check the range of movement in the knee and lower leg. X-rays are valuable in diagnosis of this particular injury.

There are four major ligaments in the knee: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and two collateral ligaments. These ligaments work together to stabilize the knee during motion. The most commonly injured ligament is the anterior cruciate ligament with tears occurring on twisting or sporting activities such as netball, basketball, tennis and football. This ligament can also get injured as a result of direct blow to the knee such as those that occur in football or rugby.

An ACL tear usually occurs suddenly and is often accompanied by a “popping” sound. The tera will be accompanied by swelling of the joint that can last up to 1 hour. The movement of the knee will also be uncomfortable and joint would feel unstable. Physical examination performed by chiropractor would usually confirm the diagnosis.  Magnetic resonance image (MRI) scan can also be used. In case of complete tears, the anterior cruciate ligament cannot repair itself and thus the ligament function is lost.

Meniscus injuries

There are two menisci in each knee. The menisci are the cartilages shaped like a crescent and positioned between thigh bone (femur) and knee bone (tibia). The menisci function as shock absorbers and stabilizers of the knee joint. The meniscus on the inside of the knee is medial meniscus and the outside of the knee is called lateral meniscus. The medial meniscus absorbs some of the load around 25% in the inner compartment and the lateral meniscus absorbs around half of the load in the outer compartment.

Meniscal Tears

The meniscal tear usually occurs when menisci are trapped between the moving bones of the femur and tibia. The menisci cartilage only gets blood supply to the outer third of the outer zone thus limiting ability to heal if torn. Most tears occur in the centre of the meniscus because this is the part of the meniscus that gets trapped between the moving bones. These inner tears and many of the outer tears do not heal.

Symptoms

Pain on the inside of the joint or behind the joint is the most common symptom of a meniscal tear. Meniscal tear can also be accompanied by catching and occasionally locking of the joint. Swelling always means there is something wrong inside the knee and is commonly associated with meniscal tears.

Knee Pain ligament injuries for further in depth information on knee pain and injury, please go to top left corner under “Pain” or “Conditions” and for Cold Laser Therapy please go to “Treatments”.

The Knee. Pain, Ligament injury, Conditions and Injuries including Cold Laser Treatment and TOG GaitScan, Call 024 7622 2002 Registered with BUPA. AXA PPP. HSA. AVIVA. CIGNA. Simpleyhealth. Standard life. Pru health. Mercia health.Medicash Medisure. All health insurance accepted.

 The knee and what is its function?

The knee is a joint which has three parts. The thigh bone (femur) meets the large shin bone (tibia) forming the main knee joint. This joint has an inner (medial) and an outer (lateral) compartment. The kneecap (patella) joins the femur to form a third joint, called the patellofemoral joint.

The knee is a joint which has three parts. The thigh bone (femur) meets the large shin bone (tibia) forming the main knee joint. This joint has an inner (medial) and an outer (lateral) compartment. The kneecap (patella) joins the femur to form a third joint, called the patellofemoral joint. 

The knee joint is surrounded by a joint capsule with ligaments strapping the inside and outside of the joint (collateral ligaments) as well as crossing within the joint (cruciate ligaments). These ligaments provide stability and strength to the knee joint.

The meniscus is a thickened cartilage pad between the two joints formed by the femur and tibia. The meniscus acts as a smooth surface for the joint to move on. The knee joint is surrounded by fluid-filled sacs called bursae, which serve as gliding surfaces that reduce friction of the tendons. Below the kneecap, there is a large tendon (patellar tendon) which attaches to the front of the tibia bone. There are large blood vessels passing through the area behind the knee (referred to as the popliteal space). The large muscles of the thigh move the knee. In the front of the thigh, the quadriceps muscles extend the knee joint. In the back of the thigh, the hamstring muscles flex the knee. The knee also rotates slightly under guidance of specific muscles of the thigh.

The knee functions to allow movement of the leg and is critical to normal walking. The knee flexes normally to a maximum of 120 degrees and extends to 0 degrees. The bursae, or fluid-filled sacs, serve as gliding surfaces for the tendons to reduce the force of friction as these tendons move. The knee is a weight-bearing joint. Each meniscus serves to evenly load the surface during weight-bearing and also aids in disbursing joint fluid for joint lubrication.

Knee Pain

Knee pain can be caused by injury, degeneration, arthritis, infrequently infection, and rarely bone tumours. The knee joint is the most commonly involved joint in rheumatic diseases, immune diseases that affect various tissues of the body including the joints to cause arthritis.

Ligaments within the knee (cruciate ligaments) and on the inner and outer sides of the knee (collateral ligaments) can be sprained or torn.

Surgical repair of ligament injury can involve suturing, grafting, and synthetic graft repair. Routine x-rays do not reveal ligament or meniscus tears, but can be used to exclude other problems of the bones and other tissues.

Injury and Symptoms

Injury can affect any of the ligaments, bursae, or tendons surrounding the knee joint. Injury can also affect the ligaments, cartilage, menisci (plural for meniscus), and bones forming the joint. The design of the knee joint and that it is an active weight-bearing joint are factors in making the knee one of the most injured joints of the human body.

(View cold laser section under conditions treated).

Ligament Injury and Treatment

Trauma can cause a severe injury to the ligaments on the inner (medial) portion of the knee, the outer (lateral) portion of the knee (lateral collateral ligament), or within the knee (cruciate ligaments). Injuries to these areas are noticed as immediate knee pain, but are difficult to localize. A collateral ligament injury is felt on the inner or outer portion of the knee. A collateral ligament injury is tenderness over and around the area of the ligament involved. A cruciate ligament injury is felt within the knee. It is sometimes noticed with a “popping” sensation with the initial trauma. A ligament injury to the knee is painful and may be swollen the knee pain is usually worsened by bending the knee, putting weight on the knee, or even walking. The severity of the injury can vary from minor stretching or tearing of the ligament, such as a sprain to severe and complete tear of the ligament the knee can have more than one area injured in a single traumatic event.

Ligament injuries are initially treated with ice packs and immobilization, with rest and elevation. It is generally initially recommended to avoid bearing weight on the injured joint, and crutches may be required for walking. Some patients are placed in splints or braces to immobilize the joint to decrease pain and promote healing. Arthroscopic or open surgery may be necessary to repair severe injuries.

(View our cold laser section. Conditions treated)

Meniscus Tears and Treatment

The meniscus can be torn with the shearing forces of rotation that are applied to the knee during sharp, rapid motions. This is especially common in sports such as football and other rapid motion activities. There is a higher incidence with aging and degeneration of the underlying cartilage. Several tears can be present in an individual meniscus. A meniscal tear may have a rapid onset of a popping sensation with a certain activity or movement of the knee. Occasionally, it is associated with swelling in the knee It is also associated with locking or an unstable sensation in the knee joint. X-rays while they do not reveal a meniscal tear can be used to exclude other problems of the knee. The meniscal tear can be diagnosed in one of three ways: arthroscopy, arthrography, or an MRI. Arthroscopy is a surgical technique by which a small diameter video camera is inserted through tiny incisions on the sides of the knee for the purposes of examining and repairing internal knee joint problems. Micro instruments can be used during arthroscopy to repair the torn meniscus.

(View cold laser section under Conditions treated)

Arthrography is a radiology technique whereby a contrast liquid is directly injected into the knee joint and internal structures of the knee joint thereby become visible on x-ray film. An MRI scan is another radiology technique whereby magnetic fields and a computer combine to produce two- or three-dimensional images of the internal structures of the body. It does not use x-rays, and can give accurate information about the internal structures of the knee when considering a surgical intervention. Meniscal tears are often visible using an MRI scanner. MRI scans have largely replaced arthrography in diagnosing meniscal tears of the knee. Meniscal tears are generally repaired arthroscopically.

(View cold laser therapy section under Conditions treated).

Tendonitis and Treatment

Knee Pain and tendonitis of the knee occurs in the front of the knee below the kneecap at the patellar tendon (patellar tendonitis) or in the back of the knee at the popliteal tendon (popliteal tendonitis). Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon, which often occurs by a strain or impacted sport such as jumping. Patellar tendonitis also has the name “jumper’s knee.” Tendonitis is diagnosed based on the presence of pain and tenderness localized to the tendon. It is treated with ice packs, and cold laser therapy {see our cold laser section} cortisone injections, which can be given for tendonitis elsewhere, are generally avoided in patellar tendonitis because there are reports of risk of tendon rupture as a result of corticosteroids in this area. In severe cases, surgery can be required. A rupture of the tendon below or above the kneecap can occur. This may lead to bleeding within the knee joint and severe pain with knee movement. Surgery of the ruptured tendon is often necessary.

(View cold laser therapy section under Conditions treated).

Diseases or Conditions

Diseases or conditions that involve the knee joint, the soft tissues and bones surrounding the knee, or the nerves that supply sensation to the knee area can result in knee pain. In fact, the knee joint is the most commonly affected joint in rheumatic diseases, immune diseases that involve various tissues of the body including the joints to cause arthritis.

Arthritis is inflammation within a joint. The causes of knee joint inflammation range from types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis, which is a degeneration, or wear and tear, of the cartilage of the knee, to inflammatory types of arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout). Treatment of the arthritis is directed according to the nature of the specific type with cold laser being one of the most effective types of treatment in managing the inflammation.

Baker cyst is another common cause of pain at the back of the knee resulting from swelling of the knee joint from arthritis leading to a localized collection of fluid accumulating in a cyst behind the knee.

Tumours and Infections of the bone or joint can rarely be a serious cause of knee pain and have associated signs of infection including fever, extreme heat, warmth of the joint, chills of the body, and may be associated with puncture wounds in the area around the knee.

Pellegrini-Stieda syndrome is a calcification of the collateral ligament on the inside of the knee joint. With this condition, the knee can become inflamed and can be treated conservatively with ice packs, immobilization, and rest. Infrequently, it requires a local injection of corticosteroids.

Chondromalacia refers to a softening of the cartilage under the kneecap (patella). It is a common cause of deep knee pain and stiffness in young women and can be associated with pain and stiffness after prolonged sitting or climbing stairs. Treatment with anti-inflammatory medications, ice packs and rest may help. (See our Cold Laser Therapy Section under Inflammatory conditions.). Bursitis of the knee occurs on the inside of the knee (anserine bursitis) and the front of the kneecap (patellar bursitis, or commonly known as “housemaid’s knee”). Bursitis is generally treated with ice packs, immobilization, and anti-inflammatory medications or Cold laser therapy.

(View our Cold laser section under inflammatory conditions.)

TOG GaitScan™

Our GaitScan™ System is a revolutionary diagnostic tool for assessing patient’s foot biomechanics. GaitScan™ has an industry high 4096 sensors and scans at an industry high 300Hz (scans per second).  These measurements provide today’s Chiropractors with a sophisticated explanation of foot mechanics and assists them with orthotic and/or shoe solutions.

Orthotics are custom made shoe inserts designed to correct faulty foot biomechanics. Orthotics may be helpful in relieving your knee pain by reducing stress and strain through the knee joint.

For further in depth information please go to top left corner under “Pain” or “Conditions”, treatments can include Tog GaitScan this is below. Also cold laser therapy is excellent in treating foot Injuries and pain.

Knee ligaments; Knee Pain, Sports Injuries. Cold Laser Treatment.

Knee Ligaments Medial Collateral, Anterior Curciate, Posterior Cruciate, Lateral Collateral Ligaments

View our Cold Laser Section for treatment for these injuries, under inflammatory conditions in our ”Treatments” section. Cold Laser Therapy accelerates the healing process, thus saving time and returning to your sport sooner than you normally would if you had taken normal medication. World class athletes and the military use this method of reducing both pain and injury time 

Ligaments connect one bone to another within the joins and contribute stability and flexibility of the joint. 

Medial Collateral Ligament.

This ligament is on the one on the inside of the knee and is taut when the leg is straight. The ligament itself is strong but can be sprained or completely ruptured by simultaneous twisting and straightening of the leg. 

Anterior Cruciate Ligament.

The anterior cruciate ligament or ACL runs from the outside of the back of the thigh bone to the inside of the front or anterior of the shin bone.  The two cruciate ligaments cross over each other; the ACL crosses in front of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament. Together they stabilize the front to back movements of the knee.

The ACL is half the strength of your Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL). This ligament is the most likely knee ligament to be injured during sporting activities.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament.

The Posterior Cruciate Ligament or PCL starts from the inside edge of your thigh bone and inserts to the back or posterior aspect of your shin bone.  

Lateral Collateral Ligament. 

The Lateral Collateral Ligament or LCL runs from the bottom of the thigh bone to the top of the shin bone on the outside of knee joint.

Other Soft Tissue Injuries.

The soft tissues around the knee can also be injured. 

Sports that involve twisting of the upper leg while the foot is planted on the floor may lead to a tear of the meniscus. The menisci are two crescent shaped discs of shock absorbing cartilage located between the bones of knee joint.

The patellar tendon is also known as the patellar ligament, and connects the kneecap to the thigh muscle. If the knee is bent too far back, this tendon may also tear.

Symptoms of Knee Injuries

The symptoms for most ligament injuries will be similar, these include:

·    Pain 

·    swelling 

·    Instability

Complete rupture of the ACL, may cause a popping sound which in turn may lead to a snap inside the knee, as if the knee has given way. 

Meniscus Injury will cause pain on either inside or outside of the knee joint. This will bring on swelling, the knee may lock or feel as if it’s catching or grinding.

Damage to the patellar tendon means the leg will be unable to straighten properly. This will then lead to knee pain, swelling and weakness. 

Causes of Knee Injuries 

If the knee receives an impact or a movement exceeding its usual range of movement, for example if you have a fall or land awkwardly this may result in such an injury.

·    sports combining running, jumping and stopping with quick change

Of direction such as football rugby, tennis etc.

·    pre-existing condition such as osteoarthritis.

·    impact of the knee or Knees on the dashboard in a car accident will result in PCL damage and is called the “dashboard injury”. 

Diagnosis of Knee Injuries 

Chiropractors or Physiotherapists will examine the knee, only then will various tests will be undertaken to establish which ligament is injured.  

MCL injuries: Chiropractors or Physiotherapists will find out how badly the ligament is damaged by testing the range of movement by moving the lower leg outwards while holding your upper leg still. There are three grades of knee injury. 

·    Grade 1 is a sprain.

·    Grade 2 is a partial tear 

·    Grade 3 is a complete tear

ACL integrity is tested by a chiropractor, by pulling the lower leg forward with the thigh held still and the leg bent.  

If a Chiropractor suspect’s injury to a PCL, they will check the range of movement in the knee and lower leg. X-rays are valuable in diagnosis of this particular injury.

There are four major ligaments in the knee: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and two collateral ligaments. These ligaments work together to stabilize the knee during motion. The most commonly injured ligament is the anterior cruciate ligament with tears occurring on twisting or sporting activities such as netball, basketball, tennis and football. This ligament can also get injured as a result of direct blow to the knee such as those that occur in football or rugby.

An ACL tear usually occurs suddenly and is often accompanied by a “popping” sound. The tera will be accompanied by swelling of the joint that can last up to 1 hour. The movement of the knee will also be uncomfortable and joint would feel unstable. Physical examination performed by chiropractor would usually confirm the diagnosis.  Magnetic resonance image (MRI) scan can also be used. In case of complete tears, the anterior cruciate ligament cannot repair itself and thus the ligament function is lost.

Meniscus injuries

There are two menisci in each knee. The menisci are the cartilages shaped like a crescent and positioned between thigh bone (femur) and knee bone (tibia). The menisci function as shock absorbers and stabilizers of the knee joint. The meniscus on the inside of the knee is medial meniscus and the outside of the knee is called lateral meniscus. The medial meniscus absorbs some of the load around 25% in the inner compartment and the lateral meniscus absorbs around half of the load in the outer compartment.

Meniscal Tears

The meniscal tear usually occurs when menisci are trapped between the moving bones of the femur and tibia. The menisci cartilage only gets blood supply to the outer third of the outer zone thus limiting ability to heal if torn. Most tears occur in the centre of the meniscus because this is the part of the meniscus that gets trapped between the moving bones. These inner tears and many of the outer tears do not heal.

Symptoms

Pain on the inside of the joint or behind the joint is the most common symptom of a meniscal tear. Meniscal tear can also be accompanied by catching and occasionally locking of the joint. Swelling always means there is something wrong inside the knee and is commonly associated with meniscal tears.

Knee Pain ligament injuries for further in depth information on knee pain and injury, please go to top left corner under “Pain” or “Conditions” and for Cold Laser Therapy please go to “Treatments”.

The Knee. Pain, Ligament injury, Conditions and Injuries including Cold Laser Treatment and TOG GaitScan, Call 024 7622 2002 Registered with BUPA. AXA PPP. HSA. AVIVA. CIGNA. Simpleyhealth. Standard life. Pru health. Mercia health.Medicash Medisure. All health insurance accepted.

 The knee and what is its function?

The knee is a joint which has three parts. The thigh bone (femur) meets the large shin bone (tibia) forming the main knee joint. This joint has an inner (medial) and an outer (lateral) compartment. The kneecap (patella) joins the femur to form a third joint, called the patellofemoral joint.

The knee is a joint which has three parts. The thigh bone (femur) meets the large shin bone (tibia) forming the main knee joint. This joint has an inner (medial) and an outer (lateral) compartment. The kneecap (patella) joins the femur to form a third joint, called the patellofemoral joint. 

The knee joint is surrounded by a joint capsule with ligaments strapping the inside and outside of the joint (collateral ligaments) as well as crossing within the joint (cruciate ligaments). These ligaments provide stability and strength to the knee joint.

The meniscus is a thickened cartilage pad between the two joints formed by the femur and tibia. The meniscus acts as a smooth surface for the joint to move on. The knee joint is surrounded by fluid-filled sacs called bursae, which serve as gliding surfaces that reduce friction of the tendons. Below the kneecap, there is a large tendon (patellar tendon) which attaches to the front of the tibia bone. There are large blood vessels passing through the area behind the knee (referred to as the popliteal space). The large muscles of the thigh move the knee. In the front of the thigh, the quadriceps muscles extend the knee joint. In the back of the thigh, the hamstring muscles flex the knee. The knee also rotates slightly under guidance of specific muscles of the thigh.

The knee functions to allow movement of the leg and is critical to normal walking. The knee flexes normally to a maximum of 120 degrees and extends to 0 degrees. The bursae, or fluid-filled sacs, serve as gliding surfaces for the tendons to reduce the force of friction as these tendons move. The knee is a weight-bearing joint. Each meniscus serves to evenly load the surface during weight-bearing and also aids in disbursing joint fluid for joint lubrication.

Knee Pain

Knee pain can be caused by injury, degeneration, arthritis, infrequently infection, and rarely bone tumours. The knee joint is the most commonly involved joint in rheumatic diseases, immune diseases that affect various tissues of the body including the joints to cause arthritis.

Ligaments within the knee (cruciate ligaments) and on the inner and outer sides of the knee (collateral ligaments) can be sprained or torn.

Surgical repair of ligament injury can involve suturing, grafting, and synthetic graft repair. Routine x-rays do not reveal ligament or meniscus tears, but can be used to exclude other problems of the bones and other tissues.

Injury and Symptoms

Injury can affect any of the ligaments, bursae, or tendons surrounding the knee joint. Injury can also affect the ligaments, cartilage, menisci (plural for meniscus), and bones forming the joint. The design of the knee joint and that it is an active weight-bearing joint are factors in making the knee one of the most injured joints of the human body.

(View cold laser section under conditions treated).

Ligament Injury and Treatment

Trauma can cause a severe injury to the ligaments on the inner (medial) portion of the knee, the outer (lateral) portion of the knee (lateral collateral ligament), or within the knee (cruciate ligaments). Injuries to these areas are noticed as immediate knee pain, but are difficult to localize. A collateral ligament injury is felt on the inner or outer portion of the knee. A collateral ligament injury is tenderness over and around the area of the ligament involved. A cruciate ligament injury is felt within the knee. It is sometimes noticed with a “popping” sensation with the initial trauma. A ligament injury to the knee is painful and may be swollen the knee pain is usually worsened by bending the knee, putting weight on the knee, or even walking. The severity of the injury can vary from minor stretching or tearing of the ligament, such as a sprain to severe and complete tear of the ligament the knee can have more than one area injured in a single traumatic event.

Ligament injuries are initially treated with ice packs and immobilization, with rest and elevation. It is generally initially recommended to avoid bearing weight on the injured joint, and crutches may be required for walking. Some patients are placed in splints or braces to immobilize the joint to decrease pain and promote healing. Arthroscopic or open surgery may be necessary to repair severe injuries.

(View our cold laser section. Conditions treated)

Meniscus Tears and Treatment

The meniscus can be torn with the shearing forces of rotation that are applied to the knee during sharp, rapid motions. This is especially common in sports such as football and other rapid motion activities. There is a higher incidence with aging and degeneration of the underlying cartilage. Several tears can be present in an individual meniscus. A meniscal tear may have a rapid onset of a popping sensation with a certain activity or movement of the knee. Occasionally, it is associated with swelling in the knee It is also associated with locking or an unstable sensation in the knee joint. X-rays while they do not reveal a meniscal tear can be used to exclude other problems of the knee. The meniscal tear can be diagnosed in one of three ways: arthroscopy, arthrography, or an MRI. Arthroscopy is a surgical technique by which a small diameter video camera is inserted through tiny incisions on the sides of the knee for the purposes of examining and repairing internal knee joint problems. Micro instruments can be used during arthroscopy to repair the torn meniscus.

(View cold laser section under Conditions treated)

Arthrography is a radiology technique whereby a contrast liquid is directly injected into the knee joint and internal structures of the knee joint thereby become visible on x-ray film. An MRI scan is another radiology technique whereby magnetic fields and a computer combine to produce two- or three-dimensional images of the internal structures of the body. It does not use x-rays, and can give accurate information about the internal structures of the knee when considering a surgical intervention. Meniscal tears are often visible using an MRI scanner. MRI scans have largely replaced arthrography in diagnosing meniscal tears of the knee. Meniscal tears are generally repaired arthroscopically.

(View cold laser therapy section under Conditions treated).

Tendonitis and Treatment

Knee Pain and tendonitis of the knee occurs in the front of the knee below the kneecap at the patellar tendon (patellar tendonitis) or in the back of the knee at the popliteal tendon (popliteal tendonitis). Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon, which often occurs by a strain or impacted sport such as jumping. Patellar tendonitis also has the name “jumper’s knee.” Tendonitis is diagnosed based on the presence of pain and tenderness localized to the tendon. It is treated with ice packs, and cold laser therapy {see our cold laser section} cortisone injections, which can be given for tendonitis elsewhere, are generally avoided in patellar tendonitis because there are reports of risk of tendon rupture as a result of corticosteroids in this area. In severe cases, surgery can be required. A rupture of the tendon below or above the kneecap can occur. This may lead to bleeding within the knee joint and severe pain with knee movement. Surgery of the ruptured tendon is often necessary.

(View cold laser therapy section under Conditions treated).

Diseases or Conditions

Diseases or conditions that involve the knee joint, the soft tissues and bones surrounding the knee, or the nerves that supply sensation to the knee area can result in knee pain. In fact, the knee joint is the most commonly affected joint in rheumatic diseases, immune diseases that involve various tissues of the body including the joints to cause arthritis.

Arthritis is inflammation within a joint. The causes of knee joint inflammation range from types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis, which is a degeneration, or wear and tear, of the cartilage of the knee, to inflammatory types of arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout). Treatment of the arthritis is directed according to the nature of the specific type with cold laser being one of the most effective types of treatment in managing the inflammation.

Baker cyst is another common cause of pain at the back of the knee resulting from swelling of the knee joint from arthritis leading to a localized collection of fluid accumulating in a cyst behind the knee.

Tumours and Infections of the bone or joint can rarely be a serious cause of knee pain and have associated signs of infection including fever, extreme heat, warmth of the joint, chills of the body, and may be associated with puncture wounds in the area around the knee.

Pellegrini-Stieda syndrome is a calcification of the collateral ligament on the inside of the knee joint. With this condition, the knee can become inflamed and can be treated conservatively with ice packs, immobilization, and rest. Infrequently, it requires a local injection of corticosteroids.

Chondromalacia refers to a softening of the cartilage under the kneecap (patella). It is a common cause of deep knee pain and stiffness in young women and can be associated with pain and stiffness after prolonged sitting or climbing stairs. Treatment with anti-inflammatory medications, ice packs and rest may help. (See our Cold Laser Therapy Section under Inflammatory conditions.). Bursitis of the knee occurs on the inside of the knee (anserine bursitis) and the front of the kneecap (patellar bursitis, or commonly known as “housemaid’s knee”). Bursitis is generally treated with ice packs, immobilization, and anti-inflammatory medications or Cold laser therapy.

(View our Cold laser section under inflammatory conditions.)

TOG GaitScan™

Our GaitScan™ System is a revolutionary diagnostic tool for assessing patient’s foot biomechanics. GaitScan™ has an industry high 4096 sensors and scans at an industry high 300Hz (scans per second).  These measurements provide today’s Chiropractors with a sophisticated explanation of foot mechanics and assists them with orthotic and/or shoe solutions.

Orthotics are custom made shoe inserts designed to correct faulty foot biomechanics. Orthotics may be helpful in relieving your knee pain by reducing stress and strain through the knee joint.

For further in depth information please go to top left corner under “Pain” or “Conditions”, treatments can include Tog GaitScan this is below. Also cold laser therapy is excellent in treating foot Injuries and pain.

Knee ligaments; Knee Pain, Sports Injuries. Cold Laser Treatment.

Knee Ligaments Medial Collateral, Anterior Curciate, Posterior Cruciate, Lateral Collateral Ligaments

View our Cold Laser Section for treatment for these injuries, under inflammatory conditions in our ”Treatments” section. Cold Laser Therapy accelerates the healing process, thus saving time and returning to your sport sooner than you normally would if you had taken normal medication. World class athletes and the military use this method of reducing both pain and injury time 

Ligaments connect one bone to another within the joins and contribute stability and flexibility of the joint. 

Medial Collateral Ligament.

This ligament is on the one on the inside of the knee and is taut when the leg is straight. The ligament itself is strong but can be sprained or completely ruptured by simultaneous twisting and straightening of the leg. 

Anterior Cruciate Ligament.

The anterior cruciate ligament or ACL runs from the outside of the back of the thigh bone to the inside of the front or anterior of the shin bone.  The two cruciate ligaments cross over each other; the ACL crosses in front of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament. Together they stabilize the front to back movements of the knee.

The ACL is half the strength of your Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL). This ligament is the most likely knee ligament to be injured during sporting activities.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament.

The Posterior Cruciate Ligament or PCL starts from the inside edge of your thigh bone and inserts to the back or posterior aspect of your shin bone.  

Lateral Collateral Ligament. 

The Lateral Collateral Ligament or LCL runs from the bottom of the thigh bone to the top of the shin bone on the outside of knee joint.

Other Soft Tissue Injuries.

The soft tissues around the knee can also be injured. 

Sports that involve twisting of the upper leg while the foot is planted on the floor may lead to a tear of the meniscus. The menisci are two crescent shaped discs of shock absorbing cartilage located between the bones of knee joint.

The patellar tendon is also known as the patellar ligament, and connects the kneecap to the thigh muscle. If the knee is bent too far back, this tendon may also tear.

Symptoms of Knee Injuries

The symptoms for most ligament injuries will be similar, these include:

·    Pain 

·    swelling 

·    Instability

Complete rupture of the ACL, may cause a popping sound which in turn may lead to a snap inside the knee, as if the knee has given way. 

Meniscus Injury will cause pain on either inside or outside of the knee joint. This will bring on swelling, the knee may lock or feel as if it’s catching or grinding.

Damage to the patellar tendon means the leg will be unable to straighten properly. This will then lead to knee pain, swelling and weakness. 

Causes of Knee Injuries 

If the knee receives an impact or a movement exceeding its usual range of movement, for example if you have a fall or land awkwardly this may result in such an injury.

·    sports combining running, jumping and stopping with quick change

Of direction such as football rugby, tennis etc.

·    pre-existing condition such as osteoarthritis.

·    impact of the knee or Knees on the dashboard in a car accident will result in PCL damage and is called the “dashboard injury”. 

Diagnosis of Knee Injuries 

Chiropractors or Physiotherapists will examine the knee, only then will various tests will be undertaken to establish which ligament is injured.  

MCL injuries: Chiropractors or Physiotherapists will find out how badly the ligament is damaged by testing the range of movement by moving the lower leg outwards while holding your upper leg still. There are three grades of knee injury. 

·    Grade 1 is a sprain.

·    Grade 2 is a partial tear 

·    Grade 3 is a complete tear

ACL integrity is tested by a chiropractor, by pulling the lower leg forward with the thigh held still and the leg bent.  

If a Chiropractor suspect’s injury to a PCL, they will check the range of movement in the knee and lower leg. X-rays are valuable in diagnosis of this particular injury.

There are four major ligaments in the knee: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and two collateral ligaments. These ligaments work together to stabilize the knee during motion. The most commonly injured ligament is the anterior cruciate ligament with tears occurring on twisting or sporting activities such as netball, basketball, tennis and football. This ligament can also get injured as a result of direct blow to the knee such as those that occur in football or rugby.

An ACL tear usually occurs suddenly and is often accompanied by a “popping” sound. The tera will be accompanied by swelling of the joint that can last up to 1 hour. The movement of the knee will also be uncomfortable and joint would feel unstable. Physical examination performed by chiropractor would usually confirm the diagnosis.  Magnetic resonance image (MRI) scan can also be used. In case of complete tears, the anterior cruciate ligament cannot repair itself and thus the ligament function is lost.

Meniscus injuries

There are two menisci in each knee. The menisci are the cartilages shaped like a crescent and positioned between thigh bone (femur) and knee bone (tibia). The menisci function as shock absorbers and stabilizers of the knee joint. The meniscus on the inside of the knee is medial meniscus and the outside of the knee is called lateral meniscus. The medial meniscus absorbs some of the load around 25% in the inner compartment and the lateral meniscus absorbs around half of the load in the outer compartment.

Meniscal Tears

The meniscal tear usually occurs when menisci are trapped between the moving bones of the femur and tibia. The menisci cartilage only gets blood supply to the outer third of the outer zone thus limiting ability to heal if torn. Most tears occur in the centre of the meniscus because this is the part of the meniscus that gets trapped between the moving bones. These inner tears and many of the outer tears do not heal.

Symptoms

Pain on the inside of the joint or behind the joint is the most common symptom of a meniscal tear. Meniscal tear can also be accompanied by catching and occasionally locking of the joint. Swelling always means there is something wrong inside the knee and is commonly associated with meniscal tears.

Knee Pain ligament injuries for further in depth information on knee pain and injury, please go to top left corner under “Pain” or “Conditions” and for Cold Laser Therapy please go to “Treatments”.

Shoulder Pain and Injuries include; 

Frozen Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tendinitis, Bursitis, Rotator Cuff Tear, Shoulder Joint Tear (Glenoid Labrum Tear).Acomioclavicular Joint. Tendonitis, Tennis elbow, “Burners & Stingers”.Biceps Tendon Tear, Triceps, Trigger finger, Shoulder Dislocation, Shoulder Instability, Collarbone, Scapula Fracture, Cold laser Treatment. There all listed below. 

Call 024 7622 2002. Registered with BUPA. AXA PPP. HSA. AVIVA. CIGNA. Simpleyhealth. Standard life. Pru health. Mercia health.Medicash Medisure. All health insurance accepted. 

Frozen Shoulder.  

Who gets Frozen Shoulder? 

Frozen Shoulder or Adhesive capsulitis is a painful condition mostly affecting people aged 30-70. It is estimated that 3% of population will develop the condition in their lifetime. There is no known racial preference; however, adhesive capsulitis is associated with certain conditions, particularly insulin-dependent diabetes. 

Predisposing Factors 

There are multiple risk factors predisposing an individual to developing adhesive capsulitis. These predisposing factors may include, shoulder or neck surgery, diabetes, shoulder trauma, inflammatory conditions. Other systemic conditions such as cervical cancer, autoimmune diseases and hypotyriodosm (underactive thyroid) may also to be linked to the condition. 

 How Frozen Shoulder is Diagnosed 

Diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis is made basing on symptoms and on physical examination of the shoulder. The use of Digital X-rays may show abnormalities such as narrowing of the joint and reduced bone density; however in early phases of adhesive capsulitis shoulder joint appearance in Digital X-ray is normal.  

Treatment of Frozen Shoulder  

Cold laser therapy is now used in treating this condition and is employed by us at Central Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Clinic. Physiotherapy treatment combined with Cold Laser Therapy is extremely effective in reducing both shoulder pain and restricted movement. At present this type of treatment is not available within N.H.S. 

Treatment usually combines   use of anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and inflammation with intermittent applications of heat and ice packs. Exercises are prescribed to build strength and improve movement and it is important to persist at these because recovery is gradual but slow. In some cases steroid injections into the joint may be needed. In severe cases the affected shoulder may need to be manipulated under anaesthesia before an aggressive rehabilitation program can be commenced. 

Probable Outcomes 

The residual symptoms of pain or stiffness are often present even after completion of course of conservative therapy. However, functional disability is rare. 

Low Level Cold Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a Handheld, non invasive, light-emitting medical device which is used over different areas of the body. It provides an unmatched advantage in the treatment of conditions such as  

Frozen shoulder  Shoulder Injuries and conditions
 Sports Injuries 

Lower Back Pain
Knee and Foot Pain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Arthritic pain relief and Muscle Spasm  

Relief of Muscle and Joint Pain, Skin infections.  

Relief of Stiffness and the Promotion of Muscle Relaxation and Cell Restoration
Wound Management and including Skin Ulcers, Pressure Sores and Burns
Soft Tissue Injuries, Including Sprains and Strains, Tendonitis and Haematomas
Joint Disorders and Conditions including Arthritic pain relief and Tenosynovitis
Chronic pain including Trigeminal Neuralgia and Neck and Back Shoulder pain 

Frozen Shoulder Pain Relief, 

 Cold laser therapy/  treatment of ligaments, tendons, muscle sprain Cold Laser Therapy is use at our clinic, reducing pain and accelerating the healing process. 

Shoulder Pain and Injuries include; 

Rotator Cuff Tendonitis, Bursitis, Rotator Cuff Tear, Shoulder Joint Tear (Glenoid Labrum Tear). Acomioclavicular Joint. Tendonitis, Tennis elbow, “Burners & Stingers” Biceps Tendon Tear, Triceps, Trigger finger, Shoulder Dislocation, Shoulder Instability, Collarbone, Scapula Fracture, Cold laser Treatment. There all listed below.  

Rotator Cuff Tendinitis or Bursitis Therapy and Treatment .

The tendons of the Rotator Cuff rotate the upper shoulder bone (humerus) and help raise the arm by pulling the Humeral head down as the Deltoid muscle pulls the arm up. These tendons may be irritated by pressure from the Acromion process of the Scapula (the upper part of the shoulder blade) and the Coraco-Acromial Ligament. This irritation of the tendons or the lubricating Bursa (connective tissue sack) is referred to as “Tendonitis” or “Bursitis”. This is known collectively as the “Impingement syndrome. 

The symptoms of Impingement syndrome present not only as pain on movement, but also as constant pain. This can be accompanied by snapping or cracking sensations on movement. Symptoms may start after an injury which may result in a weakening of the shoulder muscles caused by the pain from the injury. 

A clinical diagnosis of Impingement Syndrome is made by physical examination, and X-rays. Sometimes an M.R.I. scan is necessary to exclude rotator cuff tears. 

Tendonitis 

Tendon problems what are they? 

Two main problems associated with tendons include Tendonitis and Tenosynovitis. Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons-the tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. This inflammation can affect any tendon, but is most commonly seen in the wrist and fingers. As the tendons become irritated, pain and swelling will occur. 

Tenosynovitis is the inflammation of the lining of the tendon sheaths which enclose the tendons. Sometimes both the sheath and the tendon may become inflamed. The cause of Tenosynovitis is usually strain, excessive use, or injury. Tendonitis may also be related to diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or Diabetes can be implicated in this condition. 

Common tendon disorders include: 

Lateral Epicondylitis. (Known as tennis elbow)
This condition is characterised by pain in the back of the elbow and forearm, and along the thumb side of the forearm when the arm is alongside the body when the thumb is turned out. The cause of pain is the damage to the tendons that bend the wrist backwards away from the palm (wrist extensors). 

Medical Epicondylitis. (Known as Golfer’s Elbow).
This is a condition characterised by pain from the elbow to the wrist on the palm side of the forearm the pain is caused by damage to the tendons that bend the wrist toward the palm (wrist flexors). 

DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis.
This is far the most common type of Tenosynovitis disorder, when the sheath of the tendons of the thumb become swollen. 

Trigger Finger.
A Tenosynovitis condition in which the tendon sheath of one of the finger flexors becomes inflamed and thickens, preventing the smooth extension or flexion of the finger. The finger may lock or suddenly hence the name “Trigger Finger”. 

What are the Symptoms of Tendonitis? 

The most common symptoms of Tendonitis are: 

• Pain in the tendon with movement
• Fluid accumulation, swelling and inflammation
• There may be grating sensation in absence of swelling

Tendonitis Diagnose 

Tendonitis is usually diagnosed after careful medical history and physical examination. The diagnosis is established after diagnostic tests have been completed to rule out other conditions or diseases. Joint aspirations may help to rule out gout or an infection, while X-rays may help to rule out arthritis. 

Treatment for Tendonitis: 

• Modification of your activity
• Splinting or immobilization
• Steroid injections
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Surgery

(View our Cold Laser Therapy section under ‘Treatments’.)  

 Shoulder Joint Tear (Glenoid Labrum Tear) injury Treatment.  

Three bones make up the shoulder joint, the shoulder blade (scapula), the collarbone (clavicle), and the upper arm bone (humerus). The head of the upper arm bone (humeral head) rests in a socket in the shoulder blade called the glenoid. The upper arm bone called the head is larger than the socket; a soft fibrous rim of tissue rim called the labrum surrounds the socket to help stabilize the joint. This rim deepens the socket, so that the head of the upper arm bone fits better. They also serve as an attachment site for several ligaments. Injuries to the tissue rim surrounding the shoulder socket can occur from acute trauma or repetitive shoulder motion. 

Examples of traumatic injury include: 

• Falling on an outstretched arm
• A blow to the shoulder
• A sudden jerk, as in trying to lift to heavy an object
• A violent overhead stretch or reach, as in when trying to stop a fall

Symptoms of a Shoulder Tear. 

• Pain, in overhead activities
• Pulling locking, cracking or grinding
• Occasional pain with daily activities
• Perhaps a sense of instability in the shoulder
• Decreased range in movement
• Lack of strength

(view our Cold Laser Therapy Section under inflammatory conditions.) 

Orthopaedic consultant is available at Central Chiropractic Clinic.

Acromioclavicular Joint

Anacromioclavicular  joint injury can result from a direct blow or fall on the “tip” of the unprotected shoulder or from direct force to the anterior or front of the outstretched arm (i.e. arm tackling), which can cause deformity or elevation of the far, or distal end of the clavicle, pain, and swelling. l

Treatment

Treatment with ice and compression; refer to an emergency department to rule out a fracture.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is similar to a clavicle fracture but does not take as long. Gradual range of motion exercises and strengthening can be done as soon as tolerated.

“Burners” and “Stingers”

“Burners” and “stingers” are injuries to the nerve supply of the upper limb, either at the neck or shoulder, most commonly caused by traction forces to the neck during contact or collision sports. A burning or “electric shock” sensation usually accompanies the injury, then, immediate numbness or weakness. In most cases, the injuries are temporary and symptoms resolve quickly, within seconds or minutes, although in 8 percent of cases, they can last hours, days, or even longer.

Treatment

Treatment begins by removing the athlete from the activity. Athletes are not allowed to return to sports activity until symptoms are completely gone. This can take a few minutes or several days. Athletes should never be allowed to return to sports if they have weakness or neck pain.

Although the injury gets better with time, the athlete may need to work with a Chiropractor or physiotherapist to regain strength and motion if the symptoms last for several days.

Prevention

To prevent most shoulder injuries, use correct technique at all times, along with a stretching and strengthening program that also includes the muscles of the neck.

Biceps Tendon Tear at the Shoulder 

The tendons attach muscle to bone. The biceps muscle in the upper arm divides into long head and a short heads near the shoulder both attach to the shoulder at different points. At the other end of the muscle the distal biceps tendon connects to the smaller bone in the lower arm called the radius. These connections help the muscle stabilize the shoulder and rotate the lower arm; it also controls the acceleration or deceleration of the arm during overhead motion. 

 The long head of the biceps tendon is vulnerable to injury because it travels through the shoulder joint to its point of attachment. The tears of the long head of biceps result in arm weakness; this could also affect arm further by being unable to turn the arm from palm down to palm up. Because the torn tendon can no longer keep the muscle taut, a bulge may also appear it eh upper arm. In case of the distal tendon tears the arm is unable to bed at the elbow. 

Causes 

Ruptures of the distal tendon near the elbow are not common. They usually occur when an unexpected or extreme force is applied to a bent arm. 

The proximal biceps tendons ear the shoulder tear more readily. The tears can be partial or complete, more prevalent in people aged 35 or over and in people with previous shoulder injuries. 

Symptoms 

• Perhaps an audible snap.
• A bulge in the upper arm
• Bruising to the upper arm, down towards the elbow
• Sudden, sharp pain in the upper arm.
• Pain or tenderness at the shoulder

Diagnosis 

A Chiropractor will examine the neck, shoulder and arm and ask you to bend the arm and tighten the biceps muscle. This is done to determine the extent of the injury. 

Treatment 

• Non-surgical treatment is usually all that is needed for tears in the proximal biceps tendon
• ice applications 20 minutes every hour keep down the swelling
• Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen will reduce the pain
• Rest the muscle completely
• Flexibility and strengthening exercises will keep the shoulder mobile
• Surgical repair of a complete tendon tear
• Complete tears of the distal biceps tendon require surgery to reattach the tendon to the bone
• Partial tears of the distal biceps tendon may be treated either non surgically or surgically

View our “Cold Laser therapy” section.  

Cold Laser is extremely effective in treating this type of injury, accelerating the healing process considerably. (View top left corner for further information on shoulder pain under “Pain” and “conditions” for “Cold Laser Therapy” please go to “Treatments”. 

Triceps Anatomy 

The Triceps Brachii consists of three heads: the lateral, medial, and long heads. Triceps joins the Humerus (shoulder bone) and the Scapula (shoulder blade) to the ulna which is the forearm bone. If you working out in gym you must assure you implement Triceps exercises that target all three of the Triceps heads, as this will fully develop the heads of triceps muscle. 

In Training the triceps muscles, you must keep a constant tension throughout triceps isolation movements over the full range of motion. It is also imperative to flex the entire triceps muscle by simply extending the arms fully to get the most muscle fibre recruitment. 

Triceps Injuries Treatment 

Chiropractic treatment including Cold Laser Therapy (used by professional weight lifters and body builders and football clubs such as Chelsea FC.) 

For further information on shoulder pain, triceps, Biceps, and other shoulder conditions, go to top left under “Pain” or “Conditions” and “Treatments” for Cold Laser Therapy,   

Shoulder Dislocation 

West Midlands shoulder dislocations occur when the head of the humerus which is the upper arm bone, jumps out of the shoulder socket of the scapula, which is called the glenoid. This can happen during severe wrench pulling the shoulder upward or outward, or from combined over-extension and external rotation of the humerus. 

Glenohumeral dislocations are generally classified by the direction of dislocation of the humerus. 

A dislocation can be full or partial: 

• A partial dislocation which also known as subluxation, when the head of the humerus slips out of the socket momentarily and then snaps back into place (socket)
• A full dislocation, when the head of the humerus comes completely out of the socket

Shoulder dislocations are normally associated with fractures to different parts of the shoulder; there may be a fracture and dislocation at the same time. Nerves and blood vessels can sometimes be injured with a severe shoulder dislocation. 

Causes 

• Falling on an outstretched arm
• A direct or powerful blow to the shoulder area.
• Repetitive sports or activities i.e. throwing or lifting
• Any kind of force applied to an outstretched arm

Symptoms 

•   Swelling
•   Bruising
•   Pain, often severe
•   Shoulder contour appears abnormal
•   Bruising Instability and weakness in the shoulder area
•   Inability to move the shoulder
•   Bruising Instability and weakness in the shoulder area
•   Numbness and tingling around the shoulder or in the arm or fingers
•    Seek immediate medical attention.

Shoulder instability 

Shoulder instability is a condition in which one of the bones in the shoulder joint moves partially or fully out of place. The head of the humerus, the upper arm bone, moves within the socket of the shoulder in more than one direction. Instability happens when the head of the humerus slips outside its normal position. The classification of this disorder is defined by the changes in degree of movement in the joint and by the change of direction in the movement of the joint. 

Dislocation
when the humeral head moves completely out of the socket 

Subluxation. 

Humeral head moves partially out of the shoulder socket. 

• Anterior
  when the humeral head moves forwards. This is a very common injury in young men. Men having great shoulder flexibility are more prone to this injury.
• Posterior
  when the humeral head moves backwards. This is due to severe muscle spasm during an electric shock or epileptic seizure.
• Multidirectional
  this occurs in people born with loose joints. Muscles contracting and relaxing may trigger a multidirectional instability episode. Also certain sports that require greater shoulder range of motion such as swimming may also lead to multidirectional instability.

Shoulder instability usually results from an old injury producing a dislocation that, even when healed, leads to stretching of the shoulder capsule and ligaments.   

 Diagnosis 

 Symptoms of shoulder instability may include: 

• Numb feeling down the arm
• Shoulder can slip out of place
• Pain in and around the shoulder area
• Shoulder or arm may feel weak
• Shoulder feels loose. (Slack)
• X-Ray may be needed
• Treatment Options
• Cold laser therapy, this treatment is excellent for this type of injury reducing the healing time and inflammation. See our section on Cold Laser Therapy.
• Rest
• Ice will help control pain
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs These include: aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)

 Rehabilitation 

Can last several months and may include: physical therapy to strengthen the muscles that control the shoulder joint. 

Collarbone fracture 

The collarbone is a part of the shoulder. Its function is to connect the arm to the body. The collarbone sits directly above several important nerves and blood vessels. These vital soft tissues are rarely injured when the collarbone breaks. The collarbone is a long bone, and most breaks occur in the middle of the bone. 

Causes  

A broken collarbone, or the medical term a fractured clavicle is a common injury. Many babies are born with a broken collarbone this is due to child birth, also to people in contacted sports such as rugby or just  general accidents where a fall results in a  severe blow or  a heavy fall to the shoulder .   

The collarbone doesn’t harden until a person is about 21 years old; a child’s collarbone can easily be broken from a direct blow or fall. 

Symptoms include. 

• A hump or “bump” over the fracture area
• Shoulder hanging down and forward
• Unable to lift the arm due to the pain
• A grinding sensation attempting to raise the arm

Diagnosis 

There is always an obvious deformity, or “bump,” around the fractured area. A small amount of pressure over the fracture area will bring about pain. Also, a grinding feeling can be felt when the patient attempts to raise the arm. It’s rare for a fragment of bone to break through the skin, An X-ray is often done to pinpoint the location and severity of the break. Then an assessment should be carried out by a medical trained practitioner. 

Nonsurgical Treatment 

• Most broken collarbones heal well without surgery.
• A simple arm sling will be used to immobilize the arm. A child may have to wear the sling for 4 to 6 weeks; an adult may have to wear it for 4 to 8 weeks. Depending on the location of the break
• Medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, will help reduce pain. But for a speedy recovery see our cold laser therapy section this is under inflammatory conditions on the home page   

Scapula Fracture 

The scapula is of triangular shape and mobile. It’s also protected by a complex system of surrounding muscles. The shoulder blade or scapula fractures are very rare. Scapular fractures are usually classified at the high end of the impact scale. Falling from a significant height or a major car accident are usually the types of impact that required the scapula to fracture and is usually associated with other major injuries including broken ribs, damage to the head, lugs or spinal cord. Without treatment fractured scapula may result in chronic shoulder pain. 

 Symptoms 

• Abrasions to the skin.
• Swelling at the back of the shoulder.
• Sever pain when moving the arm.

Diagnosis 

For appropriate treatment, your Physiotherapist/ Chiropractor will probably need to take X-rays of the chest and shoulder. This can determine if one or more parts of the scapula may be fractured. The parts of the scapula that are prone to fracture are: 

• Scapular body
• Scapular neck
• Glenoid
• Acromion
• Coracoid

Treatment 

Non-surgical treatment such as sling works for most fractures of the scapula. The immobilization due to the sling holds the shoulder in place while the bone heals. This type of fractures may need 2 to 6 weeks of immobilization. 

The shoulder may feel stiff when the sling is removed. You should begin limited active use of your shoulder immediately 

(View our cold laser therapy section for treatment and recovery ). 

For further in depth information please go to top left corner under “Pain” or “Conditions” and “Treatments” for Cold Laser Therapy.

Call  024 7622 2002. Registered with BUPA. AXA PPP. HSA. AVIVA. CIGNA. Simpleyhealth.Standard life. Pru health.Mercia health.Medicash Medisure. All health insurance accepted.

Neckache

Your neck supports the weight and movement of your head – quite a job, since an adult’s head can weigh between 5 kgs! It also contains the vast majority of nerves that reach from your brain to the rest of your body, like a pipe full of fibre optic cable. With the amount of driving, computer work and TV watching that most of us do, it’s not surprising that we may need a little chiropractic to help keep our necks doing their job properly.

Better Neck Posture

The further away from your body you hold something, the heavier it feels. Neck pain may often be caused by the long-term effect of bad posture, especially when you regularly hold a weight too far from your body. This may be:

• The weight of your head, as you bend over a desk
• Lifting babies and children
• Carrying shopping or golf clubs into or out of the back of your car
• Manual work

 

Pinched or Trapped Nerve in Neck

Loss of proper joint movement may cause irritation of the nerves that come out of your spine. This, in turn, can lead to pain where the nerves end. This is known as ‘referred’ pain. You may already know about sciatica which is leg pain often caused by nerve irritation in the lower spine. Brachialgia means ‘pain in the arm’, and may be caused by nerve irritation in the neck. This way your neck may be treated when you have only consulted your chiropractor about a shoulder and arm problem, which can include:

• Frozen shoulder,
• Tendonitis,
• Tennis elbow,
• Carpal tunnel syndrome

 

Is it Safe to Adjust the Neck?

Yes, 70% of visits to a chiropractor include cervical (neck) adjustments. Recent publications suggest that chiropractic treatment is extremely safe, when carried out by a skilled individual.

Is rolling your head good for your neck?

No. Many people in the past have been given neck or head rolling exercises to help stretch their necks. As mentioned in the beginning the weight of the head is substantial so rolling the neck forward places more strain on the joints, ligaments and tendons in your neck then contracting muscles to roll the head backwards puts pressure down on these structures which you have just strained. Better and safer movements to do would be single ones like turning or looking up, down, left or right – not all of these movements together.

Call  024 7622 2002. Registered with BUPA. AXA PPP. HSA. AVIVA. CIGNA. Simpleyhealth.Standard life. Pru health.Mercia health.Medicash Medisure. All health insurance accepted.

Neckache

Your neck supports the weight and movement of your head – quite a job, since an adult’s head can weigh between 5 kgs! It also contains the vast majority of nerves that reach from your brain to the rest of your body, like a pipe full of fibre optic cable. With the amount of driving, computer work and TV watching that most of us do, it’s not surprising that we may need a little chiropractic to help keep our necks doing their job properly.

Better Neck Posture

The further away from your body you hold something, the heavier it feels. Neck pain may often be caused by the long-term effect of bad posture, especially when you regularly hold a weight too far from your body. This may be:

• The weight of your head, as you bend over a desk
• Lifting babies and children
• Carrying shopping or golf clubs into or out of the back of your car
• Manual work

 

Pinched or Trapped Nerve in Neck

Loss of proper joint movement may cause irritation of the nerves that come out of your spine. This, in turn, can lead to pain where the nerves end. This is known as ‘referred’ pain. You may already know about sciatica which is leg pain often caused by nerve irritation in the lower spine. Brachialgia means ‘pain in the arm’, and may be caused by nerve irritation in the neck. This way your neck may be treated when you have only consulted your chiropractor about a shoulder and arm problem, which can include:

• Frozen shoulder,
• Tendonitis,
• Tennis elbow,
• Carpal tunnel syndrome

 

Is it Safe to Adjust the Neck?

Yes, 70% of visits to a chiropractor include cervical (neck) adjustments. Recent publications suggest that chiropractic treatment is extremely safe, when carried out by a skilled individual.

Is rolling your head good for your neck?

No. Many people in the past have been given neck or head rolling exercises to help stretch their necks. As mentioned in the beginning the weight of the head is substantial so rolling the neck forward places more strain on the joints, ligaments and tendons in your neck then contracting muscles to roll the head backwards puts pressure down on these structures which you have just strained. Better and safer movements to do would be single ones like turning or looking up, down, left or right – not all of these movements together.

Call  024 7622 2002. Registered with BUPA. AXA PPP. HSA. AVIVA. CIGNA. Simpleyhealth.Standard life. Pru health.Mercia health.Medicash Medisure. All health insurance accepted.

Neckache

Your neck supports the weight and movement of your head – quite a job, since an adult’s head can weigh between 5 kgs! It also contains the vast majority of nerves that reach from your brain to the rest of your body, like a pipe full of fibre optic cable. With the amount of driving, computer work and TV watching that most of us do, it’s not surprising that we may need a little chiropractic to help keep our necks doing their job properly.

Better Neck Posture

The further away from your body you hold something, the heavier it feels. Neck pain may often be caused by the long-term effect of bad posture, especially when you regularly hold a weight too far from your body. This may be:

• The weight of your head, as you bend over a desk
• Lifting babies and children
• Carrying shopping or golf clubs into or out of the back of your car
• Manual work

 

Pinched or Trapped Nerve in Neck

Loss of proper joint movement may cause irritation of the nerves that come out of your spine. This, in turn, can lead to pain where the nerves end. This is known as ‘referred’ pain. You may already know about sciatica which is leg pain often caused by nerve irritation in the lower spine. Brachialgia means ‘pain in the arm’, and may be caused by nerve irritation in the neck. This way your neck may be treated when you have only consulted your chiropractor about a shoulder and arm problem, which can include:

• Frozen shoulder,
• Tendonitis,
• Tennis elbow,
• Carpal tunnel syndrome

 

Is it Safe to Adjust the Neck?

Yes, 70% of visits to a chiropractor include cervical (neck) adjustments. Recent publications suggest that chiropractic treatment is extremely safe, when carried out by a skilled individual.

Is rolling your head good for your neck?

No. Many people in the past have been given neck or head rolling exercises to help stretch their necks. As mentioned in the beginning the weight of the head is substantial so rolling the neck forward places more strain on the joints, ligaments and tendons in your neck then contracting muscles to roll the head backwards puts pressure down on these structures which you have just strained. Better and safer movements to do would be single ones like turning or looking up, down, left or right – not all of these movements together.