Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries tend to occur in sporty people. Injury can happen if you suddenly change direction or land badly. It’s more common in sports involving lots of contact, changes of direction and speed, or jumping and landing. Your knee has two cruciate ligaments – the anterior and posterior – to keep it secure and stable during movement. They cross over to form an X, attaching your shin bone (tibia) to your thigh bone (femur). Hence an ACL injury can feel like the knee is giving way, and you get a popping sound on movement. Pain and swelling occur worst around the line of the joint. It can be hard to fully straighten or fully bend your knee – and even walking can be very painful. There are three categories depending on the severity of the ACL injury: Grade 1 is when the ligament is slightly stretched or just a few of the fibres of the ligament are damaged but the knee is still stable and supported by it. Grade 2 is when a few more of the fibres are damaged so it is partially torn or the ligament is stretched to the point that it is loose and the knee is no longer stable or supported by the ligament. Grade 3 is a complete tear of the ligament where the ligament has actually been torn in half and can no longer support the knee.

Yoga is an ancient, spiritual and traditional form of exercise that enhances strength, flexibility and breathing. The practice of yoga originates from India and dates back 5,000 years, when it was traditionally used for spiritual and physical well-being. There are many different types of yoga, including Ashtanga, Iyengar and Sivananda, which focus on different body areas, such as breathing or posture. No style is necessarily better than the other, and you may have developed your own yoga practice depending on your needs. Together, these can help strengthen physical and mental well-being, especially when practiced regularly.

A sprain is one of the most common sports injuries, it is the result of overstretching or tearing a ligament in one of your joints. They commonly occur during physical activity or whilst trying to break your fall (a common cause of wrist sprain). The most common sprains are in the ankles and wrists as they are highly flexible joints that can move in complex motions, and are frequently put under a lot of weight. A simple sprain, albeit painful, is very easy to treat, usually only needs rest and very gentle exercise for a number of weeks to months. The severity of a sprain is categorised based on a grading system. Grade 1 is a small tear in the ligament Grade 2 describes a large but incomplete tear Grade 3 describes a complete tear. There are things you can do at home to speed up recovery and ensure the joint will fully heal, and we'll discuss that in a bit more detail later on.

The shoulder is a complex ball and socket joint that allows more movement than any other joint in the body. Movement involves an impressive number of muscles, tendons and ligaments, with bones and minor joints sitting alongside. As such, we can overuse it, especially in sports or physical work tasks and it’s prone to injury. Let’s talk you through some common injuries, so you can recognise when to seek help. As a general rule, if it’s persisted for more than 2 weeks without improvement, it’s best to get a professional opinion – you can book with your doctor or a physiotherapist. Your doctor may allow direct access to NHS physiotherapists.

The shoulder is a complex joint that can move in multiple directions and carry significant loads. But its versatility can put it under stress and make it prone to injury. We need to look after it to prevent any injury, but still enable it to carry out requirements for sports and work. Let’s talk you through the steps you can take to prevent shoulder injury. We’ll also outline any investigations used to assess injury, and techniques to aid recovery.

Are you a big gamer or spending hours at your PC or laptop? Here are our top tips on how to avoid repetitive strain injury (RSI and advice on what to do if it starts to develop.

Are you feeling exhausted lately? Battling constant fatigue alongside joint pain and stiffness? If you're living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), these experiences are all too familiar. PsA fatigue is a significant aspect that impacts daily life. Imagine waking up feeling exhausted despite a whole night's rest. Even simple tasks feel daunting and challenging throughout the day due to fatigue. This is the reality for many with PsA. So, why does arthritis make you tired? The link between arthritis and fatigue is complex. Studies show that between 5 and 8 in 10 people with inflammatory arthritis experience significant fatigue, disproportionate to their activity levels. Inflammatory processes in the body, typical of PsA, disrupt sleep patterns and energy regulation, contributing to this fatigue. Understanding this link is crucial for effective management. By exploring the underlying causes and symptoms of PsA fatigue, we can better address it. In the following sections, we'll delve into treatment options, management strategies, and other potential causes of fatigue.

Living with psoriatic arthritis affecting the elbow can be challenging. It brings ongoing pain and discomfort and limits how well you can move your arm. It's crucial to grasp what's going on with this condition, especially if it's affecting your elbow. Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis caused by the body's immune system acting up. It causes swelling and pain in the joints, including the elbow. Interestingly, it's often seen alongside the skin condition psoriasis, showing how it affects not just the joints but the skin, too.

Living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can be challenging, not just because of joint pain and stiffness, but also due to the potential impact on other areas of the body, including the eyes. For many individuals with PsA, eye symptoms may not be immediately linked to their arthritis, leading to confusion and concern. Commonly affected joints include the elbows and ankles, where inflammation can cause significant pain and restrict movement. Moreover, some individuals may experience neurological complications such as peripheral neuropathy, which can add another layer of complexity to managing PsA. Understanding how PsA can affect your eyes is crucial for managing your overall health and seeking appropriate care. This guide aims to clarify the connection between PsA and eye symptoms, helping you identify whether your eye discomfort could be related to your arthritis and what steps you can take for relief.

Living with arthritis can be challenging, and understanding the wide range of symptoms is crucial for effective management. Arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA, is known to cause various nail changes due to the inflammation and immune system dysfunction associated with the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and potential joint deformity. Osteoarthritis (OA is a degenerative joint disease characterised by the breakdown of cartilage and the underlying bone within a joint, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. While joint pain and stiffness are well-known symptoms, OA can also affect all body parts, including the nails. 

Menopause is a significant transition in a woman's life, often accompanied by various physical changes. The increased incidence of joint pain and osteoarthritis is among the concerns. Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis after menopause. Approximately 6 in 10 of postmenopausal women show radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis. Understanding the connection between menopause and osteoarthritis is crucial for women experiencing these symptoms and looking for effective management strategies.

Living with psoriatic arthritis is tough. It's not just joint pain – it can affect many parts of your life. One thing that doesn't get talked about much is how it can mess with your nervous system. This adds even more complexity to an already tricky disease. For people dealing with psoriatic arthritis, the idea of having neurological problems can be worrying. However, understanding these issues is super important for managing the condition well.