Good balance comes with several important benefits Balance is defined as the process of maintaining the body’s center of gravity vertically over the base of support, and it relies on rapid, continuous feedback from a number of structures throughout the body. Having good postural balance is important for many reasons, as it reduces the risk […]
The incidence of falls is expected to continue rising Falls are one of the biggest problems that older adults face. Data has shown that approximately 36% of adults over the age of 65 will experience a fall every year, and each one of these accidents can have serious implications. Not only can a fall result […]
Prevention strategies are needed to address a major danger in the elderly community As individuals grow older, several changes occur that are considered risk factors for falling. These include decreases in balance, control of posture, muscle strength and changes in walking performance. For this reason, prevention strategies are needed to address these risk factors and […]
Ankle sprains are generally regarded as some of the most common injuries seen in sports, if not the most common. Approximately 23,000-25,000 ankle sprains occur in the U.S. every day, which results in $2 billion worth of healthcare costs annually. These injuries are most frequently seen in sports that require quick direction changes, cutting movements […]
Controversy and uncertainty exist despite extensive research Up to 35% of older adults fall each year, and falls are the main cause of injury, injury-related disability, and death in this population. In addition to the physical and economic repercussions, falls can also have a psychological impact, as older adults who fall often develop a fear […]
Understanding the role of hip strength can help improve treatments Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition in which cartilage that normally protects a joint gradually wears down over the course of time, which leads to pain and other symptoms when the bones begin rubbing against one another. OA can develop in any joint, but is most […]
The incidence of knee-related conditions has been increasing Knee pain and knee osteoarthritis, sometimes referred to collectively as non-traumatic knee pain (NTKP), is very common in individuals aged 65 and older. Statistics have shown that the incidence of these conditions in older adults has increased by 65% over the past 20 years, with rates doubling […]
Long-term effects of treatment are questionable and have not been studied well Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS)-sometimes referred to as runner’s knee-is a painful condition that’s particularly common in physically active individuals. Patients with PFPS typically experience a dull ache behind or around the kneecap that gets worse with running or going up or down stairs. […]
Physical therapy may be utilized either instead of or after surgery The meniscus is a crescent-shaped piece of cartilage between the thighbone (femur) and the shinbone (tibia), and its job is to stabilize the knee and absorb shock. Damage to the meniscus, which is called a meniscal lesion, can occur from an injury or due […]
Patients’ expectations are not often met after surgery Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are one of the most common injuries in athletes. These injuries are seen in a variety of sports, but athletes who participate in sports that involve lots of cutting movements-like basketball, soccer and football-are at a particularly high risk. Once an ACL […]