IT'S A GIRL!

Please meet Olivia – the new addition to the ‘Sutherland Clan’

For those keen on details, Olivia was born on 20 March 2008 after Jen soldiered through approx 30-odd hours of labour…and not a single abusive word was said to her wonderful, supportive husband! She was 3.5 kg in weight, 52cm in length, has blue eyes (at the moment) and brown hair.

Thank-you to all those that have sent well wishes, phone calls, flowers and presents etc over the last

 few weeks…it much appreciated!

Balmain Sports Physio welcomes you to join us for End of Month drinks.

Date:               Thursday 24^th April 2008.

Venue:            Balmain Sports Physiotherapy Practice.

Time:              6.00pm onwards

Provided:        Drinks and Nibbles

PHYSIO FOR KIDS

PAIN IN THE HEEL?

Could be a thing called Sever's Disease!

What is it?

Although it sounds pretty bad due to it's name, Sever's disease is a relatively short term condition that can usually be handled fairly easily with good advice. Sever's disease occurs in children when the growing part of the heel is injured.  This growing part is called the growth plate.  The foot is one of the first body parts to grow to full size.  This usually occurs in early puberty.  During this time, bones often grow faster than muscles and tendons.  As a result, muscles and tendons become  tight.  The heel area is less flexible.  During weight-bearing activity (activity performed while standing), the tight heel tendons may put too much pressure at the back of the heel (where the Achilles tendon attaches) and this may injure the heel.

Sever's disease is most common in physically active girls 8 to 10 years old and in physically active boys 10 to 12 years old.  Soccer players and gymnasts often get Sever's disease, but children who do any running or jumping activity may be affected.  Sever's disease rarely occurs in older teenagers, because the back of the heel has finished rowing by the age of 15.

How do you know if you have this Sever's Disease?

You may have Sever's Disease if you have any of these signs:

• Heel Pain.
• Heel pain during physical exercise, especially activities that require running or jumping.
• The pain is often at its worst after exercise.
• A tender swelling or bulge on the heel that is sore to touch.
• Limping
• A tendency to tiptoe.
• Calf muscle stiffness first thing in the morning.

How is it treated?

First, you should cut down or stop any activity that causes heel pain.Treatment will depend on how bad your heel pain is, but may include:

• Rest
• Cold packs
• Flexibility exercises
• Shoe inserts
• Non-weight bearing exercise
• Medication
• Time

Here are some exercises that might help you:

1. Calf stretch.
2. Heel cord (Achilles tendon) stretch.
3. Hamstring stretch.
4. Strengthening exercise using a bungee cord or rubber tubing.

It is important that you do these exercises to stretch the hamstring and calf muscles, Try to do these stretches 5 times each, 2 or 3 times a day.  Each stretch should be held for 20  seconds.

If you have heel pain, speak to your parents and come visit one of the physiotherapists in this practice.  We can help you - we'll give you the right kind of exercises and advice to make this pain go away quicker!

Journal Article of the Month:

Lin, Y.F., Lin, J.J., Jan, M. H., Wei, T.C., Shih, H.Y. and Cheng, C.K. (2008). Role of the Vastus Medialis Obliquus in Repositioning the Patella – A Dynamic Computed Tomography Study. The American Journal of Sports Medicine 36(4): 741-746.

It has been assumed that patello-femoral pain syndrome (anterior knee pain) results from patellar mal-alignment, especially patellar tilt, and that the Vastus Medialis Obliquus muscle may have a role in correcting this patellar mal-alignment. Vastus Medialis Obliquus (VMO) is the muscle of your inner quadriceps/thigh.

This was a cross-sectional study of 112 patients with patello-femoral pain syndrome. 6 Sets of CT images were assessed in knee flexion of 0°, 15° or 30° and the quadriceps muscles was either relaxed or contracted. Measurements of VMO cross-sectional area and patellar mal-alignment were made.

Results – There were significant correlations found between VMO cross-sectional area and patellar tilt with patients with patello-femoral pain syndrome.

Clinical Relevance –VMO muscle function is important to consider in the rehabilitation of patients with patello-femoral pain syndrome, especially those with patellar tilt or lateral shift mal-alignments. VMO muscle function may need to be retrained using physiotherapy techniques such as biofeedback.

If you are suffering from patello-femoral pain syndrome or runner’s knee, please consult your physiotherapist for an assessment and a rehabilitation program. 

Quote of the month:

Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall. 
Confucius

If you would like us to cover a specific topic in our next news letter or have any further suggestions of  how we can improve our service for you, please visit our website, www.balmainsportsphysio.com.au