The Physiotherapists in Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan (OLHN) are celebrating World Physiotherapy Day today, September 8th this year.
The theme of this year’s event is Inflammatory Arthritis.
World Physiotherapy Day is an opportunity to recognise the work that physiotherapists do for their patients and the community.
Speaking at the event, Petrina Donohue, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Rheumatology in OLHN said, “World Physiotherapy Day gives our physios a great opportunity to try to inform and educate the public on specific illnesses and injuries. This year it is Inflammatory Arthritis. Anyone of any age experiencing pain, swelling, stiffness or redness around their joints, that is not associated with a recent injury or trauma, should speak to their GP, especially if there is a personal history or family history of any auto immune or inflammatory conditions (like psoriasis, uveitis which is inflammation of the eye, or inflammatory bowel disease), about the possible need for a rheumatology referral. As physiotherapists we see and treat about 20% of those referred into the rheumatology service here in Navan.”
Our Lady’s Hospital Navan is home to the regional rheumatology service which covers Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan. The Physiotherapy Department has a total of 23 Staff with 2 staff specifically dedicated to the Physiotherapy Rheumatology team. In 2022 the Physiotherapy Department completed close to 19,000 patient treatments with the Outpatient team completing close to 9,000 treatments. Of this, the rheumatology physiotherapists completed over 1,500 treatments, and in doing so helped patients suffering with this treatable illness.
As part of World Physiotherapy Day physios in Navan will be hosting an information stand, educating patients on the day and their colleagues on Inflammatory Arthritis and other issues that physios that can help treat. There will be a simple inflammatory arthritis quiz based on the information easily available on the stand.
The symptoms of arthritis can vary from week to week and even day to day. It can also affect people in different ways and each condition will have specific symptoms. It affects people of all ages and physical fitness including children, teenagers and athletes. Some forms of arthritis are more common in older people, but arthritis can often affect children. The most common type of childhood arthritis is Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
However, with the right treatment and approach, people can learn to manage their symptoms and live well. Regular physical activity and exercise are important in the management of all forms of Inflammatory Arthritis, and it offers numerous health benefits.
Physiotherapy is an important part of the overall treatment of Inflammatory Arthritis. A physiotherapist can guide a person on how to exercise safely, how to increase activity levels, set goals and find the right balance between rest and activity.
Above pic. left to right:
Yvonne Collins, Senior Physiotherapist in Rheumatology,
Petrina Donohue, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Rheumatology,
Emma Kearney, Physiotherapist in Rheumatology.
