Ingrown toenails, medically known as onychocryptosis, are a common and often painful condition where the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin. This typically affects the big toe, but it can occur on any toe. If left untreated, it can lead to infection and persistent discomfort, impacting your ability to walk comfortably or wear shoes. 

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection that occurs when fungi, including dermatophytes, yeasts, or moulds, invade the nail bed or nail plate. It often begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of the toenail and can gradually cause the nail to discolour, thicken, or crumble.

Bracenfix is a modern, pain-free nail bracing system designed to correct the curvature of ingrown or involuted toenails over time. Much like dental braces, it works by applying gentle, continuous tension to the nail plate to lift and realign it as it grows, reducing pressure on the surrounding skin. 

When experiencing persistent pain, especially in areas like the back or joints, it’s common to rely on imaging tests such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to identify the cause. Many assume that if an imaging test shows something like a herniated disc or arthritis, it must be the reason for the pain. However, imaging results don’t always directly correlate with the pain you feel. 

Hip flexor muscle strains are a common injury that can affect anyone, whether you’re an athlete or someone who leads a more sedentary lifestyle. Understanding what causes this injury, how to recognise it, and how to treat it will help you recover faster and prevent future strains. 

LET is a surgical procedure performed alongside ACL reconstruction to reinforce the lateral side of the knee. It involves using a portion of the iliotibial (IT) band or another graft to create an extra-articular restraint that limits excessive internal rotation and anterior tibial translation. This additional support is especially beneficial for individuals with high-grade pivot-shift injuries or those engaging in high-risk sports such as football, rugby, and skiing. 

Adductor strains and adductor-related groin pain are two common issues that can affect athletes and active individuals, particularly in sports involving sudden changes in direction, kicking, or pivoting. While they may seem similar, it’s important to understand their differences to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. This post explores the distinctions between adductor strains and adductor-related groin pain, and how physiotherapy can play a role in recovery. 

Osteitis pubis (OP) is a common cause of groin pain in athletes, particularly those involved in sports that require repetitive stress or sudden movements, such as rugby, football, soccer, and hockey. This condition involves inflammation of the pubic symphysis, the joint at the front of the pelvis, and can cause significant pain, discomfort, and difficulty in performing sport-specific movements. OP can develop over time, typically due to repetitive trauma or overuse, but it can also arise from a sudden injury. 

Contact sports like football, rugby, hockey, and lacrosse are fast-paced and physically demanding—qualities that make them thrilling to play and watch, but also ripe for injury. One such injury that often flies under the radar but can be extremely painful and debilitating is the hip pointer. Though it may sound minor, a hip pointer can significantly limit athletic performance and daily movement. Fortunately, with the guidance of a physiotherapist, athletes can recover more efficiently and safely. 

While skier’s thumb is most commonly associated with winter sports, it can also occur in rugby, when the thumb is forcefully bent backward, often due to a tackle or a fall where the hand is extended or the thumb is caught in the opposition’s grip, jersey or on the ball. Skier’s thumb, which involves damage to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the thumb, can significantly impact a player’s ability to grip the ball, make tackles, or perform essential hand functions.