People who have orthopedic conditions such as psoriatic arthritis, enteropathic arthritis, gout or fibromyalgia or those who have suffered sports injuries can greatly benefit from working with a local physiotherapist. Or, patients who have had an orthopedic surgery such as a hip replacement, knee replacement, dislocated knee repair or ankle surgery may work with a local physiotherapist. A local physiotherapist is a health care provider who treats patients with techniques such as manual adjustment, spinal adjustment, exercise and stretching, TENS machines, musculoskeletal ultrasound, hot and cold therapy and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatment.

Local physiotherapists can help people improve mobility, flexibility and strength after orthopedic surgery or sports injury or manage an orthopedic condition. Your local physiotherapist can work with your other medical providers such as your local family physician, registered dietitian, endocrinologist or kinesiologist. If you’d like more info about how a local physiotherapist can help you take control of your health, start a conversation with your local family physician, pharmacist, orthopedic health care provider or local registered massage therapist.

Orthopaedic physiotherapy focuses on treating injuries or disorders of the skeletal system and associated joints, ligaments and muscles. In most cases, back pain will resolve on its own with treatment at home and over-the-counter medications. Surgery is not usually recommended. Some patients benefit from spinal traction, a physiotherapy technique that applies a longitudinal stretch to the reachable joints and soft tissues that is commonly used on the cervical, lumbar spine and thoracic spine. Spinal traction may be applied manually by the physiotherapist or with a decompression machine. Other non-surgical back pain treatments include massage therapy, yoga and Pilates. If your back pain persists after treatment or worsens, see your doctor to explore alternate therapies. 

Most sports injuries don’t require surgery. If you require surgery, you’ll see an orthopedic surgeon. In most cases, sports injuries are treated with the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression and elevation), anti-inflammatories, bracing and physiotherapy. For some injuries, heat therapy is recommended. Following a sports injury, you may also work with a nutritionist to ensure you’re fuelling your body right; a sports psychologist and/or a kinesiologist.

Concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury typically caused by a bump or blow to the head. Shoulder dislocation occurs primarily in the younger, active athletic population and can lead to recurring dislocations. An ACL injury is an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee, which is located in the middle of the knee joint. An MCL injury: an injury to the medial collateral ligament of the knee, a structure that runs along the medial side of the knee.

In most cases, sports injuries are treated with the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression and elevation), anti-inflammatories, bracing and physiotherapy. For some injuries, heat therapy is recommended. Following a sports injury, you may also work with a nutritionist to ensure you’re fuelling your body right; a sports psychologist and/or a kinesiologist.