Specialist Fracture Healing Treatment in Corsham

If you have broken a bone and want to do everything you reasonably can to support your recovery, we offer specialist fracture healing treatment at our clinic in Corsham.

Treatment is provided by Consultant Chartered Physiotherapist Simon Barnes, who has many years’ experience treating fractures and uses a range of specialist fracture-healing technologies. Treatment is selected according to the type, location and stage of your fracture rather than applying the same approach to every broken bone.

Treatment may include LASER/photobiomodulation, LIPUS, magnetic field therapies and other specialist electrotherapy equipment. The aim is to support the body’s natural healing processes, manage pain and help you return to normal activity as safely and efficiently as possible.

We treat everyone from people simply wanting to get back to everyday life after a broken bone to amateur and professional sportspeople. We regularly see fractures resulting from motocross, mountain biking, motorsport and equestrian sport, as well as football, rugby, cycling and other activities.

What are the benefits of fracture healing treatment?

The aims of treatment may include:

• supporting the body’s natural bone-healing processes
• helping to manage pain around the fracture
• supporting healing of associated soft-tissue injury
• helping to minimise the effects of inactivity and immobilisation where possible
• supporting a safe return to mobility, exercise, sport and normal daily life.

Healing times vary considerably depending on the bone involved, the nature of the fracture, your general health and other individual factors. Specialist fracture treatment is intended to support normal healing and does not replace appropriate orthopaedic care, immobilisation, surgery or medical follow-up where these are required.

What types of fractures can you treat?

We can assess a wide range of fractures to determine whether our fracture healing treatments are appropriate. Some of the fractures we commonly see include:

• collarbone (clavicle)
• shoulder blade (scapula)
• femur
• tibia
• fibula
• ribs
• scaphoid
• spine
• wrist
• fingers and thumbs
• toes
• pelvis

We also see people whose fracture is taking longer than expected to heal. You can read more about delayed union and non-union fractures, including why some broken bones heal more slowly and how they may be managed.

What sets us apart?

Specialist experience. Simon Barnes has extensive experience in fracture healing and a detailed understanding of the specialist equipment used within the clinic. This enables him to select and tailor treatment according to the individual fracture, its stage of healing and the patient’s circumstances.
Read more about Simon’s experience in fracture healing

Individual treatment plans. No two fractures, or patients, are exactly the same. Simon will assess your injury and decide which treatment options are appropriate rather than applying the same protocol to every fracture.

A practical approach to recovery. Treatment isn’t only about the fracture itself. Where appropriate, Simon can also advise on pain, mobility and the progression back towards normal activity.

How do you treat broken bones & fractures?

We have a range of specialist fracture-healing technologies available within the clinic, including LASER/photobiomodulation, LIPUS, magnetic field therapies and other specialist electrotherapy.

Different treatments may be appropriate for different fractures. Simon selects treatment according to factors including the bone involved, the nature and location of the fracture, its stage of healing and information available from your X-rays, scans or hospital reports.

This means that we don’t simply use the same machine or treatment protocol for every broken bone. The aim is to support the biological processes involved in bone and tissue repair and provide the best possible environment for healing.

Research into these technologies continues and the strength of evidence varies according to the treatment, fracture type and stage of healing.

You can read more about how we use LASER therapy for fracture healing here.

Can you work through a cast?

Some of our treatment options can be used when a fracture is immobilised in a cast. Simon will advise which options are appropriate for your particular fracture and type of cast.

I have pins in my body, can I still have treatment?

Having internal fixation such as pins, plates or screws does not necessarily prevent treatment. Simon will check which treatment modalities are appropriate for you before treatment begins.

Are there any instances where I cannot receive treatment?

If you have a pacemaker, any other electrical implanted device, or are pregnant some of our treatments will not be appropriate but please contact us in advance so we can discuss this with you.

How many treatments will I need?

This varies considerably.  The number and frequency of appointments will depend on the bone involved, the type and severity of fracture, how recently it occurred, how healing is progressing and the treatment modalities being used.

Some straightforward recent fractures may only require a small number of clinic appointments, whereas more complex fractures or delayed/non-union fractures may require treatment over a longer period. Simon will discuss the likely treatment plan with you after assessing your fracture.

If you are travelling from a distance, please let us know when booking. Where clinically appropriate, we may be able to arrange your appointments to minimise unnecessary travel.

Will you need copies of x-rays and scans?

If you have copies or photographs of recent X-rays, scan reports or hospital letters, please bring or send them to us. They help Simon understand the exact site and nature of the fracture and any fixation that has been used.

Please don’t worry if you don’t have access to your images. Although they’re helpful, Simon can assess your injury and advise on treatment without them.

How do I book?

You will need to request a fracture appointment with Simon Barnes.  You can call us on  01249 712288, email us at hello@corshamphysiotherapy.co.uk or book online.  (If you are having difficulty finding a session online please get in touch as sometimes we can find more availability than is showing online.)  Appointments are available at times to suit you, including early mornings, evenings (and weekends by prior arrangement).

Our specialist fracture healing service is based at Corsham Physiotherapy in Corsham, Wiltshire. We see patients locally from Chippenham, Melksham, Bath and the surrounding area, as well as patients who travel considerably further for specialist fracture treatment.

If you are travelling from a distance, we can do more than 1 treatment in a day or consecutive days if you want to stay nearby overnight.  If this applies, please get in touch so we can ensure all the sessions are available and booked in.