A ganglion cyst is a common, non-cancerous lump that usually forms near a joint or tendon. They are most often seen around the wrist, hand, fingers, foot or ankle. In many cases, they are harmless and may not cause pain, but they can become uncomfortable if they press on nearby joints, tendons or nerves. Ganglion cysts can vary in size. Some stay small, while others become more noticeable over time. They may also change size depending on activity. What Is a Ganglion Cyst? A g

Tennis elbow is one of those injuries that sounds like it only happens to tennis players. In reality, many people who develop it have never picked up a racquet. It can start as a small ache on the outside of the elbow, then slowly become more noticeable with simple things like lifting a coffee cup, opening a jar, gripping a dumbbell, using a mouse or carrying shopping bags. The proper clinical name is lateral elbow tendinopathy, also commonly called lateral epicondylitis. In

A clavicle fracture, commonly known as a broken collarbone, is a fracture of the bone that runs between the breastbone and the shoulder. It is a common injury after falls, cycling accidents, contact sport, motorbike accidents, or direct impact to the shoulder. The clavicle helps connect the arm to the body and plays an important role in shoulder movement, strength and stability. When fractured, it can cause significant pain, reduced arm movement, and difficulty with daily tas

Had a knee replacement and wondering what recovery should actually look like? You’re not alone. It’s one of the most common surgeries for advanced knee arthritis — but the rehab afterwards is where a lot of the progress really happens. Here’s what you need to know. What is a knee replacement? A knee replacement, also called a total knee replacement or total knee arthroplasty, is surgery where the worn joint surfaces of the knee are replaced with artificial components. Most pe

Neck pain is one of the most common issues we see in clinic. Sometimes it comes on after a long day at the desk. Sometimes after sleeping awkwardly. Sometimes it builds gradually over months and starts causing headaches, stiffness or pain down the arm. Most neck pain is not serious, but it can be frustrating — especially when it keeps coming back. Here’s what you need to know. What is neck pain? Neck pain refers to pain or discomfort around the cervical spine — the upper part

Had your ACL reconstructed and wondering what the road back to sport actually looks like? You're not alone. It's one of the most common sports injuries we see - and one of the most commonly rushed. Here's what you need to know. What is ACL reconstruction? The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is a key stabilising ligament inside the knee. When it tears, surgery is often needed to replace it with a graft - usually taken from your own hamstring, patella tendon or quad tendon. Th

An LCL injury is an injury to the lateral collateral ligament, one of the key stabilising ligaments on the outside of the knee. The LCL helps stop the knee from opening up too far on the outside. In simple terms, it helps protect the knee from side-to-side stress. In technical terms, the LCL resists varus stress at the knee and contributes to posterolateral stability, especially during cutting, pivoting, landing and contact-based movements. What is an LCL injury? An LCL injur

A hamstring tear is an injury to one or more of the muscles at the back of the thigh. The hamstrings help bend the knee, extend the hip, control running stride, decelerate the leg, and absorb force during sprinting, jumping and change of direction. In simple terms, a hamstring tear happens when the back thigh muscle is stretched or loaded beyond what it can tolerate. In technical terms, a hamstring tear involves disruption of muscle fibres or the musculotendinous junction, co

Bursitis is one of those conditions that sounds more complicated than it is. In simple terms, it means that a small fluid-filled cushion near a joint has become irritated or inflamed. These cushions are called bursae, and their job is to reduce friction between bones, tendons, muscles and skin. When a bursa becomes overloaded or compressed, it can become painful, swollen and sensitive to movement. Bursitis can occur in many areas of the body, but it is especially common aroun

A quadriceps tear is an injury to one or more of the muscles at the front of the thigh. The quadriceps are the large muscle group that helps straighten the knee, control squatting, absorb landing forces, climb stairs, kick, run and jump. In simple terms, a quad tear happens when the front thigh muscle is stretched or loaded beyond what it can tolerate. In technical terms, a quadriceps tear involves disruption of the muscle fibres or musculotendinous junction, commonly affecti

A PCL injury is an injury to the posterior cruciate ligament, one of the main stabilising ligaments inside the knee. The PCL helps stop the shin bone from sliding too far backwards under the thigh bone. In simple terms, it helps stop the knee from “shifting backwards.” In technical terms, the PCL resists posterior translation of the tibia on the femur and helps with overall knee stability, especially when the knee is bent. What is a PCL injury? A PCL injury happens when the l

Have you ever felt a sharp, electric pain shooting from your lower back down through your buttock and into your leg? That means you have probably experienced "sciatica" Sciatica is one of the most misunderstood conditions in musculoskeletal health. So let's clear the air. Here at Urban Physiotherapy we are here to genuinely help, and give you the right physio approach sciatica can get you moving again. What is sciatica? Sciatica describes pain that travels along the path of