We are still open
Sports Medicine Institute is an essential service and therefore remains open during this current lockdown. Our top priority is maintaining the health and safety of our patients and staff. For these reasons, we have increased our existing protocols to ensure that we are adhering to the NSW Health guidelines.
If you have cold or flu symptoms or have been in contact with anyone that does, we ask that you reschedule your appointment and get COVID-19 tested as soon as possible. Our administrative team are all on board to take your enquiries or bookings, so please do not hesitate to contact us on 9525 3444.
Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, which involves a progressive deterioration of articular cartilage. Articular cartilage is a form of connective tissue within the joint, which helps to provide support and rigidity. When the cartilage is broken down, structural changes occur like pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function, leading to the onset of osteoarthritis.
Complete cartilage erosion will result in bone to bone exposure, causing friction between the femur and tibia. This will result in the production of small bony growths known as osteophytes (or bone spurs) which act to compensate for the missing cartilage, and enhance the level of friction within the joint. Assisting structures like the surrounding tendons and ligaments will undergo an increase in laxity, further reducing the stability and structural functioning of the knee joint.
Knee Osteoarthritis has a large impact on activities of daily life including walking, stair climbing and prolonged periods of standing, thus reducing the functional independence and quality of life for those with knee osteoarthritis. Pain is the most common symptom associated with this condition, the type and severity of the pain will be dependent on the individual but can range from dull and aching to sharp and intense. Pain will intensify with activities that place an additional strain on the joint, like walking upstairs or squatting. Additionally, the knee may also experience swelling, stiffness, buckling and crepitus (popping sounds).
Whilst there is no cure for knee osteoarthritis, there are several ways to reduce the symptoms associated with the condition.
Physical activity and exercise can be significantly beneficial in managing pain and improving functional movements. Aerobic, muscle strengthening, aquatic or physio therapy based exercise modalities can help stabilize and strengthen the knee joint, improve flexibility and increase range of motion, whilst a reduction in body weight will decrease the loading and stress that is placed on the knee joint.
Further, exercise will help increase the blood flow to the joint, assisting with the delivery of essential nutrients required for the healing of the articular cartilage.
Exercise Physiologists and Physiotherapists can assist in assessing the physical and functional limitations of each individual and develop a specific treatment plan that can help guide a patient?s rehabilitation.
Whilst there is no cure for knee osteoarthritis, there are several ways to reduce the symptoms associated with the condition.
Physical activity and exercise can be significantly beneficial in managing pain and improving functional movements. Aerobic, muscle strengthening, aquatic or physio therapy based exercise modalities can help stabilize and strengthen the knee joint, improve flexibility and increase range of motion, whilst a reduction in body weight will decrease the loading and stress that is placed on the knee joint.
Further, exercise will help increase the blood flow to the joint, assisting with the delivery of essential nutrients required for the healing of the articular cartilage.
Exercise Physiologists and Physiotherapists can assist in assessing the physical and functional limitations of each individual and develop a specific treatment plan that can help guide a patient?s rehabilitation.
Exercise is medicine – How can exercise help you?
Overall, regular physical activity:
- reduces mortality
- reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer?s disease
- lowers the risk of cardiovascular and cancer-specific mortality in adults
- increased muscle strength
- higher academic performance in children and adults
Anxiety & Depression:
- Regular exercise can improve mood and self-esteem
- Improves sleep and increases energy levels
- Studies show that even one exercise session can lower anxiety and make you feel more calm
- 5% of adults in developed countries suffer from depression with the main symptom being fatigue
- Research shows that regular moderate-vigorous physical activity improves mental well-being and has a similar effect to drug therapy
- Both strength training and aerobic exercise at a moderate to vigorous level helps reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
Cancer:
- 76% cancer diagnoses? occur in people over 55, which may indicate that they have other chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease or type 2 diabetes
- Evidence suggests that regular exercise can prevent colon, prostate and breast cancer
- During cancer treatment, it helps reduce fatigue and lessen side effects from therapy while controlling weight, mood and quality of life
Ageing and Osteoporosis:
- As you age, physical activity levels begin to drop
- Strength in your muscles and bones also decrease due to factors such as osteoporosis, making you more weak and susceptible to falls and fractures, particularly in females
- Placing external pressure on bones helps them to strengthen and increase bone mass, making weight bearing aerobic and resistance exercise beneficial to elderly
- Regular physical activity:
- Slows the effect of ageing that impairs the body from exercising
- Promotes psychological and cognitive wellbeing
- Helps with the management of other chronic diseases
- Allows a greater independence
- Strengthens muscles and joints and improves stability
- Great social activity
- High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
- If left unchecked, it can increase your risk of heart attacks, strokes and peripheral arterial disease (decreased blood flow)
- Regular exercise can reduce the chance of developing hypertension by 50%
- Exercise can sometimes reduce the amount of medication needed to control blood pressure
- Both aerobic and resistance exercise is beneficial however hot yoga is not ideal as your body cannot regulate your temperature as effectively when you have high blood pressure
Anxiety & Depression:
- Exercise can reduce joint inflammation, helping you to maintain a healthy weight
- This in turn reduces pressure on your joints, improving your overall function
- Both aerobic and resistance work will help relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis
- Low impact exercise such as yoga and pilates can also improve your flexibility around joints
Sedentary Lifestyle:
- Sitting for extended periods can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity
- Inactive muscles can worsen levels of fat, cholesterol, sugar and insulin in the blood
- Both aerobic and resistance work will help relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis
- Even a 5 minute walk every hour can reduce your risk of these conditions, as long as you are activating your muscles
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
- Sitting for extended periods can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity
- Inflammation of the joints can cause stiffness, swelling and pain, reducing your level of activity
- Stretching and warming up is important to prepare your body for exercise and should be completed before physical activity
- Both aerobic and resistance exercise can help to increase fitness and improve your quality of life
Type 2 diabetes:
- Losing body fat makes the fat cells more sensitive to insulin which helps to control blood sugar levels
- Regular exercise can also help with weight management and improve your overall health
- A combination of aerobic and resistance training done three to four days a week will help reduce symptoms of type 2 diabetes
