The facet joints in the spine sit between each vertebrae and are responsible for the spine’s stability and flexibility. Healthy joints are lined with cartilage that allows them to slide over one another. However, as people age, the cartilage wears away, causing friction, which can lead to arthritis.
Fallen arches, otherwise known as flat feet, occurs when the tendons that attach to the heel and foot bone don’t pull properly, leaving little to no arch in the foot. Often, this occurs because the tendons are torn or stretched.
Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic condition that can cause chronic widespread pain and fatigue as well as interfere with the completion of daily activities. It affects the joints, soft tissues, and muscles, and it is more prevalent in women (although it also can affect men and children).
A flexion contracture occurs when a joint becomes frozen in flexion as a result of atrophy or muscle shortening. A flexion contracture of the finger cause the finger to get stuck in a bent position. It cannot be straightened, either by muscle strength or with the help of the opposite hand.
A foot fracture or break can occur in any of the 26 bones that make up the foot. Pain, bruising, swelling, and redness are signs of a possible foot fracture. In most cases, an x-ray will be necessary to properly diagnose a fracture.
There are many reasons an individual might seek out footwear recommendations from a foot specialist. Those reasons include foot and leg conditions such as flat feet, leg length discrepancy, diabetes, deformities, corns, and bunions. Some people with goals of enhancing their athletic performance may also benefit from specific footwear recommendations.
A frozen shoulder (also known as adhesive capsulitis) is a condition in which the shoulder capsule becomes thick and tight and adhesions (stiff bands of tissue) develop, causing pain, stiffness, and eventually an inability to move the shoulder. Frozen shoulders occur most frequently in women, age 40 to 60.
As opposed to training specific muscles to perform specific actions, the goal of functional rehabilitation is to train the musculoskeletal and nervous symptoms to work together to produce functional results. In other words, functional rehabilitation helps people optimize their functional abilities.
Gait dysfunction is any deviation from a normal walking pattern. Injury, arthritis, neuromuscular conditions, or muscle weakness or imbalance can lead to a gait dysfunction. If left untreated, gait dysfunctions can cause problems in the legs and feet and progress into pain the back, hip and knee.
Gait training is a facet of physical therapy that teaches children and adults to stand and walk, either for the first time or following an injury, illness, or accident. Gait training typically involves exercises and stretches that improve muscle strength, coordination, and balance.