Joint Pain / Arthritis

  • …as well as rehab for common post-surgical procedures

    Many times, after surgery, physicians refer patients to our physical therapy practice with the goals of recovering strength, function, and mobility. Our therapists provide one-on-one, evidence-based physical therapy treatment sessions to help facilitate your recovery and return to activities of daily living (ADLs), work, recreational activities and even competitive sports. During the course of your recovery, we maintain regular communication with your surgeon to ensure your progress matches your surgeon’s expected outcome.

    The rehabilitative process depends on the injury and type of surgery. We help patients recover and rehabilitate from a variety of orthopedic post-operative joint replacement, tendon, and ligament reconstructive procedures, including:

    • Knee, hip and shoulder joint replacements
    • Reconstruction of any one or more of the four major knee ligaments: anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
    • Arthroscopic knee surgeries (such as meniscectomies, meniscal repairs)
    • Ligament and tendon repair, including Achilles tendon repairs
    • Arthroscopic hip surgeries (such as labral repairs)
    • Nerve releases (such as cubital tunnel, radial tunnel, carpal tunnel, tarsal tunnel)
    • Neck and back surgery (such as fusions, laminectomy, decompression and discectomy)
    • Nerve compression release
    • Bone or joint fusion (arthrodesis)
    • Tendon transfers
    • Surgical fixation of fractures, including open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), a two-part surgery used to fix broken bones where the broken bone is reduced (put back into place) and an internal fixation device is placed on the bone (e.g., screws, plates, rods or pins) to hold the bone together
    • Shoulder post-surgical recovery for rotator cuff tears, labral tears, superior labrum anterior and posterior (SLAP) tear or lesion, arthroscopy and more

    Some of the treatments used to accomplish the goal of regaining movement and reducing pain, swelling and stiffness may include one or more of the following:

    • Manual therapy
    • Soft tissue and/or joint mobilization
    • Muscle energy
    • Gait and balance training
    • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) – electrical muscle & nerve stimulation
    • Therapeutic exercise and functional strength training
    • Ultrasound
    • Functional re-education
    • Rehabilitative exercises to help help increase strength, endurance, motion, balance and coordination

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  • The causes of arthritis (joint pain and inflammation) are many and their effect on joint function and structure varied. If left untreated, some forms of arthritis can be extremely debilitating and detrimental to overall health and well-being. As musculo-skeletal specialists, the therapists at iPOW Physical Therapy & Wellness are well-versed in the conditions that cause arthritis and the challenges they create.
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Gout
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Juvenile Arthritis
    • Ankylosing Spondylitis

    While the types and causes of arthritis are numerous, the general goals for treatment remain relatively consistent:

    • Reduce pain, swelling, inflammation
    • Gradually restore joint strength, mobility, and function
    • Prolong joint life and function through education and safe exercise

    Our therapists concentrate on the unique challenges experienced by the individual who suffers with arthritis. Whether it’s a painful and unstable knee that makes walking difficult (osteoarthritis) or swollen and painful finger joints (rheumatoid arthritis), our therapists create plans of care that emphasize pain reduction, improved joint function, and maintenance.

    By far, the most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, often referred to as “wear and tear” arthritis. The most obvious feature of osteoarthritis is the deterioration of the cartilage that cushions and protects the ends of two articulating bones. Osteoarthritis occurs primarily in weight-bearing joints like the hip and knee and is often demonstrated on x-ray as diminished space between two bone ends. Phrases like “bone on bone” are frequently used to describe advanced osteoarthritis.

    How does physical therapy help?

    Our therapists use a variety of non-invasive treatment approaches, such as Class IV Deep Tissue Laser, heat, gentle joint mobilization, and joint compression to reduce swelling and inflammation. Depending on the type of arthritis, prescription medications may also play a role in managing inflammation. Once pain and inflammation are at manageable levels, your therapist will introduce simple mobility exercises to restore motion, taking care to avoid movements that are painful. After mobility is restored, an individualized exercise program will be created to gradually improve the integrity of all joint components (bone, muscle, tendons, ligaments). Finally, your therapist will introduce specific functional activities based on your activity preferences.

    If you suffer from arthritis, contact iPOW Physical Therapy & Wellness today to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors of physical therapy. They’ll help you determine the best course of treatment for your condition!

    For those with arthritic knee pain, check out our Knee-Hab Program.