Orthopedic Care Specialists

Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Exercises

The physical therapy department at North Easton's Orthopedic Care Specialists has been operating since 2003 and employs talented professionals specializing in pain management, physical therapy, and anesthesiology. Our rehab department is made up of board-certified Physical and Occupational Therapists who specialize in the treatment of orthopedic and musculoskeletal injuries. Should your doctor prescribe physical therapy for any of the injuries listed below, feel free to stop by the rehabilitation department on the first floor, or call (781) 573-1686 to set up an appointment.

Muscular imbalance is a major contributor to a number of musculoskeletal issues. Listed below are a few physical therapy exercises you can try at home to treat tennis elbow, hip pain, as well as treatment information on carpometacarpal arthritis. For relief, practice these exercises twice per day unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.

Tennis Elbow (Epicondylitis) Exercises

Stretches:

1. Wrist Flexion Stretch: Keeping elbow straight, grasp hand and bend wrist back until a stretch is felt. Hold 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times.
2. Wrist Extension Stretch: Keeping elbow straight, grasp hand and slowly bend wrist forward until stretch is felt. Hold 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times.

Strengthening Exercises

1. Wrist Flexion: Holding light weight in your hand with palm up, bend wrist up. Return slowly. Repeat 20 times.
2. Wrist Extension: Holding light weight in your hand with palm down, bend wrist up. Return slowly. Repeat 20 times.
3. Ball Squeeze: Squeeze a rubber ball or rolled up towel. Repeat 20 times.

Hip Pain Exercises

Stretches: Hold each stretch for 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times.

1. Hamstring Stretch: Supporting thigh behind knee, slowly straighten knee until stretch is felt in back of thigh.
2. Standing Hamstring Stretch: Place right foot on stool. Slowly lean forward, keeping back straight, until stretch is felt in back of thigh.
3. Piriformis Stretch: Cross legs, with injured leg on top. Gently pull other knee toward chest until stretch is felt in buttock/hip of top leg.
4. Alternate Piriformis Stretch: If the above stretch is too difficult, you can modify the position by pulling the knee of your injured leg towards opposite shoulder.

Strengthening Exercises: Hold each exercise for 5 seconds and repeat 20 times.

1. Straight Leg Raises: Tighten muscles on front of thigh, then lift leg 6-8 inches from surface, keeping knee locked.
2. Hip Abduction: Tighten muscles in front of thigh, then lift leg from surface, keeping knee locked.
3. Hip Extension: Tighten Muscles on front of left thigh, then lift leg from surface, keeping knee locked.
4. Hip Adduction: Tighten muscles on front of right thigh, then lift leg from surface, keeping knee locked.

Carpometacarpal (CMC) Arthritis (Thumb Arthritis): Non-Surgical Treatments

Non-surgical treatment techniques are always considered before surgery of the affected joint. At Orthopedic Care Specialists, treatment focuses on:

• Reducing pain
• Maintaining / improving joint movement
• Minimizing disability

Activity Modification:

Reducing the activity may be necessary to help control the sypmptoms.

Physical / Occupational Therapy:

Therapy plays a critical role in non-operative treatment with a goal of teaching you how to control symptoms and maintain health of your thumb.

Range of motion and stretching exercises are prescribed to improve thumb motion. Strengthening exercises for the arm and hand will help steady the hand and protect the thumb joint from shock and stress.

Splinting:

A brace or splint may be prescribed to support the thumb to help reduce pain, encourage proper position, help prevent deformity from getting worse, and give the joint a rest.

Anti-Inflammatory Medications:

Your doctor may recommend an anti-inflammatory medication to decrease the inflamation and releive the pain in your thumb.

Cortisol Injection:

Your doctor may recommend injecting a long-acting corticosteriod into the joint. Corticosteroid injections can offer some pain relief and reduce inflammation, but are only a temporary solution as frequent injections can cause further joint damage.