Physiotherapy Study Notes

Physiotherapy

Function and Mobility

  • Definition of Function:
    • How well a person can move and perform necessary and desired activities in daily life.
    • Key considerations include:
    • Movement Ability:
      • Strength
      • Mobility
      • Balance
      • Coordination
    • Activity Performance:
      • Examples: walking, dressing, climbing stairs
    • Participation in Life Roles:
      • Examples: work, school, sport, community

Reflective Exercise on Movement

  • Consider a movement you do every day.
    • Questions to ponder:
    • What does that movement require?
    • What would happen to your function if you couldn't perform that movement?
    • Would it mean inability to perform something important, or could you modify that function to adapt?

Functional Considerations

  • Various factors that influence function:
    • Strength
    • Range of Motion
    • Neurological Factors
    • Pain
    • Transfer Ability
    • Mobility
    • Balance
    • Coordination
    • Cognition

Mobility

  • Definitions and Terms:
    • Mobility encompasses terms such as:
    • Walking
    • Ambulation
    • Gait
    • Locomotion
  • Mobility is often viewed as an automatic function and frequently taken for granted.
  • Functional Mobility requires a combination of:
    • Motor function
    • Sensation
    • Cognitive processes

Skills Used to Mobilise

  1. Motor Skills
  2. Sensory Skills
  3. Cognitive Skills

Causes of Impaired Mobility

  • Various factors that may contribute to impaired mobility:
    • Neurological Conditions
    • Orthopaedic Causes
    • Cognitive Issues
    • Other Factors

Normal Walking Pattern Characteristics

  • A typical walking pattern includes the following characteristics:
    • Alternating stance and swing phases
    • Arms swinging opposite to the legs
    • Walking heel to toe
    • Smooth, steady, rhythmic movement
    • Ability to weight shift from one leg to the other
    • Upright posture with a stable trunk
    • Safe speed, appropriate for the environment

Impact of Mobility on Daily Life

  • Mobility significantly affects an individual’s ability to function in their home.
  • Role of Physiotherapists:
    • Assess and treat gait abnormalities
    • Retrain mobility skills with consideration of the environment:
    • Different surfaces (carpet, tiles, uneven ground)
    • Stairs
    • Carrying items while walking (e.g., laundry, meals, shopping)

Strategies for Compensating Mobility Deficits

  • Strategies include:
    • Compensation for deficits in balance and strength
    • Decreasing pain
    • Reducing weight bearing on affected limbs
    • Increasing the base of support to improve stability
    • Enhancing confidence in mobility

Types of Mobility Aids

  • Various aids to assist mobility include:
    • Single Point Stick / Walking Stick
    • Quad Stick
    • Elbow Crutches
    • Axillary Crutches
    • Static Frame
    • Rollator Frame
    • Four-Wheeled Walker (4WW)
    • Gutter Frame