The Upper Limb area includes the:
- shoulder
- elbow
- upper arm muscles
- forearm muscles
- wrist
- fingers
The Upper Limb can be injured by:
- trauma – from a fall, sustained stress or direct hit
- overuse – from repetitive tasks or sporting activities
- systemic disease – such as arthritis, gout or infection
Other factors that contribute to Upper Limb problems:
- joint laxity
- poor posture
- hormonal changes
- some medications
- muscle weakness
- muscle tightness
Referred Pain
Pain in the shoulder, arm and hand can also originate from the neck (spine) area. This is called referred pain and presents in a similar way to local problems. Your first physiotherapy session includes an assessment and examination, to ensure that correct diagnosis is made and the appropriate area is treated.
Common Upper Limb injuries we treat at Gordon Physiotherapy Sports and Spinal include:
- Carpal tunnel
- Frozen shoulder
- Arthritic hands
- Lateral epicondylitis
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Shoulder dislocation
- Shoulder impingement
- Trauma injuries
Common Sports Injuries affecting the Upper Limb include:
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Thumb problems – common in shooting
- Thrower’s shoulder