Casts & Walking Boots

Can physio help after a cast or a walking boot?

If you are sporting a forearm cast or walking boot, you likely have recently broken a bone.

When you break bones in your forearm, wrist, leg, ankle, or foot, often your bone needs the opportunity to rest and glue itself together.

After your bones have healed and you are released from the confines of your cast or boot, you will often find that your leg or arm is stiff, achey, and/or weak. This is normal but needs to be addressed because it can lead to permanent impairments that will forever impact your ability to complete the activities you love.

At MOMENTUM Physical Therapy in Okotoks, our physios are trained to evaluate joints that are recently out of casts and walking boots. We develop personalized recovery programs to get your injured area back to where it was before your injury. The sooner you get started with your program, the sooner you will be back to your regular self.

If you have come out of a cast or walking boot (both recently or in the past) and are not back to where you want to be, call MOMENTUM today so we can get you back to your regular self. 403-982-5600

Stephen Uhrbach is the clinic owner and lead physiotherapist at MOMENTUM Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab Ltd. located in Okotoks, AB.

Broken Bones

Can physio help heal a broken bone?

Yes! Physiotherapy is a crucial step to fully heal from a broken bone (aka fracture).

Fractures occur when a bone is stressed beyond its breaking point. Collar bone (or shoulder), radius (or forearm), scaphoid (or wrist), tibia/fibula (or ankle), and foot fractures are the most common fractures that people tend to experience.

Fractures are very painful and often require a cast or sling. This allows the bones to glue themselves back together. Although this rest is necessary, it also can lead to soreness, stiffness, and weakness near the break site.

Once the fracture starts to heal, you need to regain the motion and strength that you lost as a result of the break. Do not let the stiffness, soreness, or weakness that you feel become your new normal!

At MOMENTUM Physical Therapy in Okotoks, our physios are trained to reduce your pain, restore your movement, and improve your strength around your healing bones. Without physio, you might be left with a stiff joint that forever prevents you from doing the activities you love.

If you have sustained a fracture and want to get back to 100%, call MOMENTUM today. 403-982-5600

Stephen Uhrbach is the clinic owner and lead physiotherapist at MOMENTUM Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab Ltd. located in Okotoks, AB.

Preparing for Surgery

Can physio help BEFORE I go for surgery?

Sometimes we are faced with the unfortunate reality of needing a surgery.  Maybe you have torn your ACL and need knee surgery, or you have arthritis in your hip and are awaiting a hip replacement, or maybe you have a rotator cuff tear in your shoulder and need a shoulder surgery. There are many surgical conditions that are usually accompanied with discomfort and a long waiting period between the injury date and the surgical day.

We often get asked if there is something that can be done before surgery to assist in the recovery.  The answer is a resounding YES!

Presurgical rehab is a type of treatment that we specialize in here at MOMENTUM Physical Therapy.  Our goal is to teach you about your upcoming procedure, provide you with some hands on treatment to ease your discomfort, and to get you started on specific exercises to maximize your healing potential after surgery.  We find that the stronger your body is before surgery, the better the recovery is after.

If surgery for a joint or muscle is on your horizon, call MOMENTUM Physical Therapy, in Okotoks, to find out how we can help set you up for surgical success.  403-982-5600

Stephen Uhrbach is the clinic owner and lead physiotherapist at MOMENTUM Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab Ltd. located in Okotoks, AB.

Social Distancing & Pain

TeleRehab Solutions!

You don’t have to keep living with aches and pains while we are in this world of social distancing.  MOMENTUM Physical Therapy is still open by offering video consults for all your injuries and pains. 

We are so excited to offer this online service so that you can still receive the benefits of physiotherapy - but from the comfort of your own home.  Connect with myself, and our other physios, by calling the clinic to receive expert pain-relieving help today!

Our online physiotherapy services include:

• Individual 1 on 1 video-based physical evaluation by one of our local physiotherapists

• Home based soft tissue releases & mobilization strategies

• Physio guided mobility and rehabilitative exercise

• Home exercise program

These services are covered for WCB & Motor Vehicle Accident claims and by many private insurance companies.

Don't continue to live in pain, we're only a phone call away! 403-982-5600.

Stephen Uhrbach is the clinic owner and lead physiotherapist at MOMENTUM Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab Ltd. located in Okotoks, AB.

Icing Injuries

When Should I Ice an Injury?

The choice to use heat or ice depends on the injury that you've sustained.  However, there are a few good rules of thumb to remember.  Ice reduces inflammation, numbs pain and further prevents swelling.  Therefore, ice is most helpful right after the injury and for the first week when you tissue redness, warmth, swelling and brushing.  

Sometimes it takes longer for the injury to heal, such as in the case of a fracture or surgery.  Basically you will want to keep applying ice until the swelling and warmth disappear and the injury site returns to normal.  Always put a protective barrier, such as a wet towel, between your skin and the ice and apply the ice for 15 - 20 minutes at a time.  The ice should be removed for at least one hour between icing sessions to minimize the chance of frostbite.  

When it comes to injury management, many different factors can affect your recovery.  A MOMENTUM physiotherapist can determine a course of treatment that will help maximize your return to normal activities.  Call MOMENTUM today to find out how we can help you gain your momentum!

Stephen Uhrbach is the clinic owner and lead physiotherapist at MOMENTUM Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab Ltd. located in Okotoks, AB.