Knee replacement surgery can make a significant difference to people whose lives have been restricted by knee pain. Walking, climbing stairs, getting out of a chair and enjoying everyday activities can become increasingly difficult when osteoarthritis damages the knee joint. When other treatments no longer provide sufficient relief, a knee replacement may offer an opportunity to improve mobility, reduce pain and regain independence. However, having a knee replacement is a maj

If you live with persistent pain, you may have come across a TENS machine. Perhaps a friend or family member has recommended one, you have seen them advertised online, or you have been given one following an injury or operation. They are relatively small, portable devices that can be used at home, but knowing which settings to choose and how to position the pads can sometimes feel a little confusing. In my experience as a physiotherapist, I have found that some people benefit

Understanding hip weakness, walking difficulties, pelvic stability and exercises to improve your movement. Working with a patient with a Trendelenburg gait When working with a patient who has difficulty walking following hip surgery or a pelvic fracture, one of the things we may notice is that their pelvis drops to one side with each step. They may walk with a limp, lean their body from side to side or struggle to stand on one leg without losing their balance. This walking pa

A practical guide to hip operations, recovery and physiotherapy for patients, families and carers Hip surgery is common in older adults, particularly following a fall or a fracture. If you or someone you care for has recently undergone hip surgery, you may have heard unfamiliar terms such as hemiarthroplasty, dynamic hip screw (DHS), total hip replacement (THR) or intramedullary nail. Although these terms can sound complicated, each describes a particular way of treating a da

When someone we love makes a decision that we disagree with, it can be worrying. Perhaps they want to live independently despite difficulties with mobility, refuse help at home, decline treatment, or choose to do something that their family feels is unsafe. It is natural to want to protect someone, especially when we can see the risks they may be facing. But an important question arises: does making a decision that others disagree with mean someone lacks mental capacity? The

Swollen feet, ankles and lower legs are common, particularly as we get older or become less mobile. The medical term for this swelling is oedema. It happens when extra fluid builds up in the tissues beneath your skin. Oedema can cause your legs to look puffy, your skin to feel tight or uncomfortable, and your ankles to become difficult to see. Sometimes, pressing gently on the swollen area leaves a temporary dent in the skin. This is called pitting oedema. What causes swollen

A practical guide for patients, carers and community rehabilitation professionals | Physio at Home Swollen ankles, feet and legs are common, particularly in older adults, people who spend long periods sitting, and those with reduced mobility. Sometimes the cause is relatively straightforward: fluid collects in the lower legs because someone has been sitting in a chair for several hours and their calf muscles are not working effectively. On other occasions, swelling may be a s

If you have painful knees, hips or other weight-bearing joints, you may have been told that losing weight could help. It is easy for this advice to sound overly simplistic: “Lose some weight and your joints will feel better.” But there is actually some fascinating science behind it. Your joints don't simply experience the number you see on the bathroom scales. Every time you stand, walk, climb stairs or get up from a chair, forces are generated by your muscles and transmitted

A radial head fracture is a relatively common injury around the elbow. It can be confusing because you may be told that you have fractured your elbow, but the actual fracture is in the upper end of one of the two bones in your forearm. For many people, radial head fractures heal well and people return to normal function. However, the elbow can become stiff surprisingly quickly, and the rehabilitation advice you receive can be quite specific depending on the type and severity

When buying a home, it is easy to concentrate on location, appearance, price and the size of the garden. But as we get older, the way a home is designed can have a huge impact on how easy it is to live there independently. This does not mean you need to buy a specialist retirement property or make your home look clinical. In fact, many of the features that make a home easier to manage in later life are simply features that make a home comfortable, practical and easy to live i

For clients recovering from significant injury, trauma, surgery or illness, effective rehabilitation is about much more than a series of physiotherapy appointments. It is about helping someone make meaningful progress in their everyday life — regaining independence, rebuilding confidence and ultimately getting back to the things that matter to them. At Physio at Home, we provide experienced, personalised physiotherapy and rehabilitation in clients’ own homes and local communi

A practical guide to strength, balance, mobility, confidence and staying independent This article has been written using the NHS guidance on physical activity for older adults as a starting point, with additional information from current physiotherapy evidence and local Cornwall resources. We wanted to take the NHS recommendations and explain what they actually mean in everyday life, particularly if you are older, less active than you used to be, recovering from illness or su

How illness and inactivity can affect your muscles surprisingly quickly — and why the right rehabilitation can help build them back One of the things we hear regularly from families after someone comes home from hospital is, “They just aren't the same physically.” Before their admission, they may have been getting themselves dressed, making meals, walking around the house and managing the stairs without much thought. After a week or two in hospital, they may suddenly be strug

Falls become more common as we get older, but falling is not simply an inevitable part of ageing. In the UK, around one in three people aged 65 and over fall each year, rising to around half of people aged 80 and over. A fall does not always result in a fracture or a trip to hospital, but it can still have a significant impact. Many people become frightened of falling again and consequently start doing less. They may stop going out, avoid the stairs, walk less or become incre

When you have been unwell, sitting in a comfortable chair can feel like a major achievement. After days in hospital or bed, simply getting out of bed and sitting in the living room can feel like a big step forward. Chairs are not the problem — the problem is spending most of the day sitting and rarely getting up. For someone recovering from illness, sitting out of bed is an important part of recovery. It gets the body upright, provides an opportunity to eat and drink normally

When we are unwell, bed can be exactly where we need to be. Rest gives the body time to recover while it fights an infection, virus or other illness, and sleep is an important part of recovery. There are also many situations where a person may need to remain in bed for medical reasons. The problem comes when we are medically well enough to get up, but continue spending most of the day in bed. For older people especially, prolonged inactivity can quickly lead to weakness, loss

We breathe all day, every day, usually without even thinking about it. Breathing is something our bodies do automatically, but when we become unwell, less active, anxious or develop a respiratory condition, our breathing can change. We may start breathing faster, taking larger breaths, using the muscles around our neck and shoulders more, or becoming increasingly aware of every breath. For someone experiencing breathlessness, this can become a frustrating cycle of breathlessn

Getting older doesn't mean that you have to accept becoming weaker, less mobile or less independent. In fact, staying physically active is one of the most important things you can do to help maintain your strength, balance, mobility and confidence as you age. And exercise doesn't have to mean going to the gym or completing a hard workout. You can exercise from your living room, using a sturdy chair. You can try chair yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi or Qigong. You can go for a walk, jo

Understanding persistent pain and how you can take back control Living with pain for weeks, months or even years can be exhausting. It can affect your sleep, work, relationships, hobbies, confidence and ability to do the things you enjoy. You may have had X-rays, scans, injections, medication or physiotherapy. Perhaps you have been told that you have arthritis, a disc problem, "wear and tear" or an old injury. Sometimes there is a clear physical reason for pain, while at othe

Staying active is about much more than exercise When we talk about keeping active as we get older, it is easy to think purely about fitness. Getting stronger. Improving your balance. Walking further. Keeping your heart healthy. Maintaining your mobility. All of these things are important. But there is another part of staying active that can be just as important — staying connected to other people and remaining part of your community. Going for a walk with someone can mean mor