Common Injuries

Lower Back Pain 

Lower back pain is a common health problem for the adult working population with incidence increasing with age. Annually nearly 50% of adults globally have an episode of significant and disabling lower back pain causing a huge economic impact.  There are 2 classifications of lower back pain, these are:  

  • NSLBP is pain that cannot be attributed to a specific cause affecting 85% of sufferers.  It can often be the result of an accident or injury which subsequently causes the muscles of the lower back to react with spasms and tension.  These muscle spasms can be very uncomfortable and debilitating in extreme circumstances. 

  • SLBP indicates that there is a potentially identified reason for the cause of the pain such as a bulging disk pushing on structures and nerves, a fractured vertebra causing weakness in the bones or facet joint pain due to degenerative changes or stiffness in these joints. 

Our rehab team will help manage and reduce your pain through our treatment and movement plan. 

Whiplash 

A bony or soft tissue injury caused by a rapid forward/backward movement experienced in a rear end or side impact motor vehicle collision or a sporting accident such as in rugby. 

Neck pain occurs in 65% of patients within 6 hours, 93% within 24 hours, and 100% within 72 hours after neck injury.  In general, most patients recover from the symptoms within the first 2 – 3 months in which there is an opportunity to improve outcomes through the correct treatment and self-management. 

Sciatica 

Sciatica is caused by an irritation of the sciatic nerve which originates from the lumbar spine (L4) travelling done the back of the leg splitting into 2 branches into the sole of the foot.  It can be a very painful condition but with conservative treatment including nerve slider techniques and a movement plan the expected timeframe for recovery is between 4-6 weeks. 

Muscle Strain 

Muscle strain is graded from 1 – 3 with 3 being the most severe.  An assessment to get a thorough history of the injury, testing range of movement and muscle strength will give an indication of the correct recovery plan and treatment for the quickest recover time. 

Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)

Frozen shoulder typically happens in 3 stages: freezing, frozen and thawing.  The freezing and frozen stage can take a year and at this point although the pain may start to ease the capsule has thickened reducing range of movement at the shoulder joint.  Furthermore, the thawing stage can take from 6 months to 2 years.  Physical therapy and the correct exercises to move the shoulder in all directions will help improve the range of movement, helping to improve the performance of daily tasks. 

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) 

Tennis elbow is not limited to tennis players, it is caused by excessive gripping and extension of the wrist coming on gradually causing pain at the tendon attachment point at the elbow.   It can last between 12 – 18 months but with the correct treatment and advice pain can be managed allowing the patient to continue with their sport or continue with manual work. 

Golfers Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) 

A similar condition to tennis elbow presenting on the attachment point on the inside of the elbow.  This condition is a gradually onset of pain with excessive flexion of the wrist.   

Pre and Post operative 

To maximise recovery time, we will ensure you have optimal functional ability and strength to provide you with a plan in preparation for your surgery.  The intervention of physiotherapy and exercise both before and after surgery has been proven to speed up recovery times and reduce post operative pain.   

Knee Osteoarthritis 

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis caused by the degeneration of cartilage in the joints causing bone to rub on bone. It is also known as degenerative joint disease.   

The most common cause of osteoarthritis is increasing age. Examples of other risk factors associated with the disease are previous injury to the joint, repeated stress on the joint, metabolic conditions such as diabetes and obesity.  

Osteoarthritis can’t be reversed; however, an individualised exercise program will help ease the pain and keep the muscles surrounding the area to maintain as much strength and flexibility as possible to support the joint. Physical activity for weight loss will also reduce the stress on the joint as well prevent metabolic conditions such as diabetes, stroke, heart conditions and high blood pressure. Conservative physical therapy treatment may prevent the need for injections and surgical intervention.

Meniscus Tear 

A meniscus tear is damage to the cartilage in the knee. The role of the meniscus is to provide shock absorption, joint stability and lubrication to the joint. It has a medial and lateral aspect and is shaped like a wedge, thinner in the middle and thicker towards the edge.  Meniscus tears can be as a result of an acute injury or a degenerative condition with acute injuries affecting more the sporting population and degenerative tears usually affecting the over 40s. If surgery is not needed conservative management through the right treatment and exercise prescription to avoid any twisting of the knee will prevent further injury and aid recovery.   

ACL  

ACL injuries occur in sports which involve pivoting and sudden deceleration. They are rarely an isolated injury commonly in combination with a meniscal tear or/and injury to the MCL. The injury rate for a female athlete is between 4 and 9 times higher than a male athlete in a similar activity. Recovery can be between 9 to 12 months if surgery is required with focus on strength, proprioception, and balance work. We can work with you towards your goal of recovery whether it’s to get you back to normal activities of daily living or return to sport preventing reinjury.   

Shoulder Pain  

At Warners, we help patients suffering with shoulder pain every day. The shoulder is an unstable ball and socket joint, often compared to a golf ball on a tee. Ligaments stabilize the joint and the surrounding rotator cuff muscles and scapula provide the dynamic movements. With such a complex joint there are a multitude of reasons pain may be present. We will treat each case individually, devising the right treatment pain to help reduce pain and improve range of movement and strength.    

Hip Pain  

There are many causes of hip pain in the anterior, posterior and lateral aspect of the hip. The most common causes being osteoarthritis, hip impingement, bursitis, gluteal tendinopathy, sacroiliac joint pain and tears to name a few! Diagnosing the cause of this pain from a full history and physical examination will determine the most effective therapy to help treat the cause.   

Ankle Sprain  

One of the most common injuries at the ankle joint in all population and accounts for approximately 70% of ankle injuries in all sports and 10-30% of all athletic injuries. The reoccurrence rate is approximately 40% therefore the correct rehabilitation focusing on strength and balance is imperative to reduce the chance of reinjury.   

Osgood Schlatter Disease 

A swelling and irritation of the growth plate at the top of the shin bone causing pain and swelling below the knee joint. OSD typically affects children between the ages of 8-15 usually with high levels of physical activity. Pain is managed through the right treatment and exercise. 

Heel Pain  

One of the most common causes of heel pain is plantar fasciitis and accounts for 10% of all running related injuries.  An inflammation of the connective tissue which stretches from the heel of the foot underneath the sole to the toes can be quite debilitating.  Through correct treatment and specific exercise techniques pain can be managed and recovery times improved.