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Month: September 2019

Rainham Physio2019September
By Jacob 0 Comments Exercises, Medical Monday, Personal Training, Physio, Sporting, Studies, Therapy, Treatments, Work Injury

Do you suffer from RSI?

What is RSI?

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a general term used to describe the pain felt in muscles, nerves and tendons caused by repetitive movement and overuse.

It’s also known as work-related upper limb disorder, or non-specific upper limb pain.

The condition mostly affects parts of the upper body, such as the:

  • forearms and elbows
  • wrists and hands
  • neck and shoulders

We will focus on the wrist on this post.

Symptoms of RSI

The symptoms of RSI can range from mild to severe and usually develop gradually. They often include:

  • pain, aching or tenderness
  • stiffness
  • throbbing
  • tingling or numbness
  • weakness
  • cramp

At first, you might only notice symptoms when you’re carrying out a particular repetitive action.

But without treatment, the symptoms of RSI may eventually become constant and cause longer periods of pain. You may also get swelling in the affected area, which can last for several

What causes RSI?

RSI is related to the overuse of muscles and tendons in the upper body.

Certain things are thought to increase the risk of RSI, including:

  • repetitive activities
  • doing a high-intensity activity for a long time without rest
  • poor posture or activities that involve working in an awkward position

Cold temperatures and vibrating equipment are also thought to increase the risk of getting RSI and can make the symptoms worse. Stress can also be a contributing factor.

If you feel you have RSI, book in for an initial consultation by calling us at Rainham physiotherapy centre on 01634 377 638.

By Jacob 0 Comments Exercises, Medical Monday, Physio, Therapy, Treatments

Do you suffer from Dupuytren’s Contracture?

What is Dupuytrens Contracture?

Dupuytren’s contracture is when 1 or more fingers bend in towards your palm. There’s no cure, but your fingers can be straightened if it’s severe.

Dupuytren’s contracture mainly affects the ring and little fingers. You can have it in both hands at the same time.

It tends to get slowly worse over many months or years. Treatment can’t usually help in the early stages.

Treatments for Dupuytren’s contracture

You can speak to a surgeon about the options, what the benefits and risks are, and what to expect afterwards.

Your finger may not be completely straight after treatment, and might not be as strong and flexible as it used to be.

The contracture could also come back after a few years.

What to expect after treatment

Recovery and aftercare can vary.

You may:

have a cast or support (splint) on your hand for a few days

have some pain, stiffness, bruising and swelling for a few weeks

need to wear a splint while sleeping for 3 to 6 months

be advised to do hand exercises for up to 6 months – you might see a physiotherapist

You can often start using your hand again after a few days, but it may be a few weeks before you can return to all your activities.

Causes and preventing Dupuytren’s contracture

Dupuytren’s contracture happens when the tissue under the skin near your fingers becomes thicker and less flexible.

The exact cause is unknown, but it’s been linked to:

having a family history of the condition

smoking

drinking lots of alcohol

having diabetes or epilepsy

It’s not known if you can prevent it or stop it coming back.

If you wish to book in for an initial consultation, call us at Rainham physiotherapy centre on 01634 377 638.

By Jacob 0 Comments Uncategorized

Do you suffer from De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?

What Is De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is the inflammation of the sheath, or synovium, that surrounds the two tendons that run between the wrist and the thumb.

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Tendons are strong bands of tissue that attach muscles to bone. In the thumb, they are involved in moving the thumb.

As the synovium swells and thickens, it becomes painful for a person to move their thumb.

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It usually occurs after the thumb or wrist has been overused, particularly during repetitive activities that move the thumb away from the wrist.

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A sprain or overusing the tendons through repetitive movements of the thumb at work or during sport tend to make the swelling and pain worse.

Activities linked to De Quervain’s include:

  • golf
  • playing the piano
  • typing
  • carpentry
  • carrying a child
  • video games

The condition is more common in women than men and often happens after pregnancy.

Other causes include scar tissue formation from an injury or inflammatory arthritis.

Symptoms

The main symptoms are pain and swelling at the base of the thumb.

These lead to:

  • pain when moving the thumb or wrist
  • pain when making a fist
  • swelling and tenderness on the side of the wrist
  • feeling or hearing creaking as the tendons slide through the sheath
  • reduced grip strength

Movements that involve the thumb and wrist, including pinching, grasping, or wringing will make the pain worse.

Treatment.

Use an elastic band placed around the fingers and thumb, and open your fingers and thumb against the resistance of the band 10 times.

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Resting the affected hand on the table palm up, touch the top of the thumb to your little finger. Hold the stretch for 6 seconds and perform it 10 times.

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use an ice cube to massage the affected painful area to reduce inflammation.

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If you feel you may be suffering from De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, book in with us here at Rainham Physiotherapy Centre by calling 01644 377638 and arrange an initial consultation!