Posts Tagged ‘Hip Pain’
Balancing joint capacity and exercise load using synergistic muscle action
A key concept in managing and preventing hip pain is understanding the balance between the capacity of the joint to handle load and using exercise training load to increase the capacity of the joint. To modify movement, one can “load” it by adding external resistance. Or “unload” it by decreasing or eliminating external resistance. Or…
Read MoreMusculoskeletal pain which are important steps which are less important?
Thesis: Choosing a diagnosis is an early step in solving non-traumatic muscle and bone pain problems. A diagnosis helps guide treatment, predict how problems will progress, and improve communication. A diagnosis has many functions, including direction for intervention to solve problems, predicting how problems will progress, and assisting in communication. Antithesis: Medical terminology is notoriously…
Read MoreWhat is the alternative to I have fallen, & I can’t get up? – improve strengthen flexibility “just do it”
A patient with Parkinson’s syndrome, living alone expressed to me his frustration. He had fallen and was unable to get back up. He pissed on himself. He used his fall alert system via the internet to notify the rescue squad. In addition to the embarrassment, he felt about not being able to get back up…
Read MoreAdjusting the exercise load to manage musculoskeletal pain syndrome
Adjusting the amount of exercise load involves seeking a balance between increasing or decreasing the load. Athletes and healthy individuals the bias is towards increasing the load to improve capacity and performance. For musculoskeletal injuries, post-orthopedic surgery, or musculoskeletal pain syndromes, the bias is towards decreasing the load to facilitate healing and recovery. Tactics to…
Read MoreHow does the natural progression of osteoarthritis influence the management of osteoarthritic flares?
Case Example: Over the last year, on several occasions, a patient has sought assistance for recurring flaring neck pain. Radiographs show moderate osteoarthritic (OA) changes in the cervical spine. A history of mild to moderate scoliosis of the spine has existed since childhood. Over the years, the neck pain has alternated from long periods of…
Read MorePain – What does it feel like? How this information can guide intervention
When describing your pain details can include location, type, severity/intensity, frequency, duration, triggers, and impact on life. When describing the location of the pain it may not be accurate. Pain can be perceived in an area that is distant from the tissue source of the pain. This is described as referred pain, when the pain…
Read MoreDeviant movement resulting in pain – Excessive Toe Out Gait
Asymmetrical movements walking or running are considered deviant or less than optimal movements. The individual in the video below is complaining of musculoskeletal pain in the left lower extremity. What do you see? Do you see the asymmetrical movement? Do you see the right foot is pointing straight ahead, and the left foot is not…
Read MoreMuscle “stretch weakness” – How does the length of a muscle affect its ability to generate force/tension?
As a muscle contracts and shortens it can generate a greater amount of force/tension. However, as the length of the muscle becomes shortened or slack or lengthened or too long the muscle loses its ability to generate tension/force. The relationship between muscle length relative to a muscle’s ability to generate tension/force follows the Goldilocks principle.…
Read MoreChoices of interventions for musculoskeletal pain syndromes: decrease pain, improve impairment, resolve dysfunction
There are multiple and varied interventions that can tackle the contributing factors of pain, impairment, and dysfunction that occurs with musculoskeletal pain syndromes. Pain impairs an individual’s ability to function Impairment is loss of use or derangement of any body part, organ system, or organ function. Dysfunction is an alteration of an individual’s capacity to…
Read MoreSurgery vs non-surgical intervention -Decision for musculoskeletal pain syndrome
When deciding whether to proceed with irreversible intervention such as elective or discretionary orthopedic surgery it is essential to consider the biases of the surgeon, non-surgical healthcare provider, and the patient. For many orthopedic injuries especially nontraumatic or less acute musculoskeletal pain syndromes surgery can be an intervention option. For many if not most musculoskeletal…
Read More
