Tom Willemann Health Tips

"Almost Daily Health Tips From Physical Therapist Tom Willemann..."

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Climbing Stairs—One Step at a Time

Although going up the stairs may feel challenging, some people experience more pain going down. This is because your muscles have to work hard to control your weight as you descend. If you have suffered from knee problems in the past or continue to have problems, it is probably time to look at increasing strengthContinue Reading »

Does knee bracing make your muscles weak?

In the case of osteoarthritis in appears it does not weaken the muscles surrounding the knee complex. Details of recent study: Used custom fitted valgus knee unloader brace No loss of strength in six months of use Average time doning wear 5hours/day Small subgroup had negative effect in first two weeks Most effective for mildContinue Reading »

Putting Your ACL Back Together Again

The ACL—anterior cruciate ligament—provides stability to the knee by keeping the tibia (shinbone) from sliding in front of the femur (thighbone). About 250,000 ACL reconstructions are performed annually in the United States on individuals who experience the condition. ACL tears are not usually sutured together because the repairs do not fare well over time. Instead,Continue Reading »

Relieve Knee Pain with Support

Chances are you have seen runners and people in rehabilitation from serious knee injuries wearing straps or sleeves on their knees. While it might seem hard to believe, those devices can actually help relieve knee pain. Knee pain and injuries happen when you damage cartilage, muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones in your knee. A blowContinue Reading »

Recovery from Kneecap Dislocation

Dislocation of the kneecap, or patella, is especially common among young women 16 to 20 years of age who participate in sports such as soccer, gymnastics and ice hockey. When it occurs, the kneecap slides out of its groove, usually laterally, resulting in pain, swelling and decreased mobility. Patellar dislocation can result from a directContinue Reading »

Hamstring Injuries in Soccer Players

A recent Danish study that is about to be published supports the use of Nordic Lowers in decreasing the incidence of hamstring injuries. This type of strengthening emphasizes the eccentric phase of a muscular contraction which is the “lengthening of the muscle fiber”.  It is during that this lengthening phase that most injuries occur.  Continue Reading »

Bracing Yourself Against Arthritic Knee Pain

Bracing Yourself Against Arthritic Knee Pain

  Here’s the catch-22 of physical therapy: Reducing pain requires physical work, but physical work can cause pain that makes it extremely difficult to do that work. Patients with arthritis of the knee joint often find that using a brace allows them to perform strengthening exercises more easily. But some people wrongly believe that aContinue Reading »

Weightbearing Following Total Knee Replacement

Weightbearing Following Total Knee Replacement

How much weight will you be allowed to place on your leg after total knee replacement surgery? This is a very important question, the answer to which depends on a number of factors. Weight-bearing following the surgery may be partial or full, depending on the surgeon’s approach. A critical part of the question is whetherContinue Reading »

Bracing for a New Arthritis Treatment

Bracing for a New Arthritis Treatment

Knee pain from osteoarthritis is no walk in the park. In fact, the pain probably keeps you from walks in the park. Could wearing a knee brace help you overcome this discomfort? Often, arthritis affects only one compartment of the knee. This can result in your lower leg angling awkwardly and appearing “bow legged” (varus)Continue Reading »

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