slo’s WEDNESDAY 11/5 poll - Physical Therapy

[slo]

I started doing physical therapy for my knees, which naturally made me want to do a poll about physical therapy. I’m no stranger to PT, I’ve had it for my neck and knees in the past, and DD22 has had more PT than a lot of us due to injuries from playing softball. By me, PT places are everywhere, so lots of people must be doing PT these days. I didn’t have the greatest experience in the past - I always felt worse with it and eventually stopped doing it because of that reason. This time, I’m doing my PT through one of Chicago’s great hospitals (RUSH for those that may know) and I’m not feeling worse pain, which is a good thing. I need both knees replaced, but doing that is not something I can do right now, so the PT is teaching me things to do at the gym to help me until I want to get the knee replacements. I’m sure many of you have done PT and if not, then I’m jealous - LOL! In all seriousness, PT is a great thing, so let’s talk about PT today…….


Have you had physical therapy?
If yes…..for what part of your body?
((multiple choice)

*There’s no way I can list every part of the body, so if your body part isn’t listed, please chose OTHER and post your answer - thanks!



For Me…..As I mentioned above, I’ve done PT in the past for my neck & knees and I’m now currently doing PT for my knees. I’m going to take what I learn at PT and also do these exercises at the gym. My thighs and hips have gotten weaker due to my knees, which are really bad. I’ve been putting off getting the knees replaced since 2018 and now that I’m learning that my muscles are getting weaker, I may need to get this surgery done more sooner than later. My physical therapist has agreed with me that there’s nothing she can do to help my knees, they are to far gone, but she can help with the thigh pain I have due to the bad knees. So my PT is for targeting the thighs and hips.

*sorry for the italicized writing, but I can’t turn it off. I have so many issues on here in regards to writing posts and/or replies.

 

[TippyThomas]

I had physical therapy after a spine fusion surgery and after my Ulner nerve was moved. I could probably use more in other areas, but I just keep ignoring it and accepting the limitations. This thread might motivate me to look into it more, so thanks!

 

[PollyannaMom]

I had PT on my arm after a small fracture years ago. It worked and I got full extension back.

 

[Kitty 34]

I went to physical therapy years ago for my neck (broke it in three places and had spinal fusion surgery on it) and for my lower back. To this day I still use many of the exercises they taught me.

 

[WDWEPCOT]

Yes I’ve had physical therapy I have ongoing physical therapy I have forever physical therapy I’ve had two spinal surgeries I have continued issues and problems so yup I have exercises I have to do do I do them all the time no when things start getting bad do I start doing them again yes should I be doing them all the time yes but I’ll be honest they’re very time-consuming is it for my benefit yes but do I have two hours every day to devote to this no I do not is it for my best interest yes do I know this yes does it make me change things no it does not because it is extremely time-consuming yes I see and understand but I will be quite honest I don’t think I get as much benefit out of it as a doctor seemed to think I will and I don’t think I ever have that’s why I don’t bother devoting a lot of time to it if it was a small issue and a small problem then yes I think physical therapy is a great thing and it would help tremendously my issue does not fall under that category it’s like putting bubble gum on a hole in a damn it’s just not going to be it beneficial they need to fix the underlying problem and so far they have not been able to do that

 

[amcnj]

I had a short time duration of PT for an elbow fracture. PT seems to be an automatic go to after many issues/procedures these days. No more “here’s a sheet of paper with things you should do yourself at home afterwards”. I am never sure if in all cases PT is necessary, or if things would have just progressed anyway. It will be interesting to see the experiences of others, and any input from those “in the business”.

 

[Dan Murphy]

3 months of rehab PT after knee replacement 11 years ago. Extremely necessary, pretty painful at times, especially working on extension. Literally brought me to tears a few times. Flexion wasn't as tough. Very successful, knee is great, should have had the replacement done 10 years sooner, kept putting it off.

PT several times over the past 40 years for lower back pain. Never really did anything for me.

Best wishes on yours, Sandy.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I had physical therapy for back pain. I had a spell of terrible back pain in 2019. It turned out to be caused by a cyst in my spine. Thankfully, the therapy worked and the pain was gone. I told myself to continue the exercises, but I eventually stopped.

 

[bobbiwoz]

My most pressing need for PT is for balance. I have also had it for my knees and shoulder.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I broke my right arm really badly some years ago now. Snapped my humerus bone right in two. I had to have a titanium rod implanted into the bone from shoulder to elbow. I did PT to try and gain some more range of movement once it healed. Still aches even all these years later. I can predict rain coming better than a meteorologist.

 

[Micca]

So far, so good--no PT yet

 

[disneychrista]

I had PT for my neck earlier this year. It took 6 months for me to get in after my referral. By the time I got in the issues had already resolved for the most part. Can’t truly say if PT was helpful or not.

 

[loves to dive]

Never had any. I could probably use it in my knees and my hips but I know myself and know I would stop it before I should. I have osteopenia in my hips and blew out both knees years ago jogging.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

Thank you SLO, for reminding me I'm old! Laughing back at the thought!!
I have checked 4 areas that I've had PT for.

 

[piglet too]

I’ve had PT too many times to count and for pretty much every body part. Throw in some Occupational Therapy as well.

 

[mjkacmom]

I’ve had it for a knee injury. My 24 year old was a competitive Irish dancer and ran xc and track in high school and college, she lived in PT. She ons had her doctorate in PT and loves it, it took one week to get several job offers (she works in a hospital and likes acute care). My 22 year old son is in England and just had shoulder surgery this morning (soccer injury), he comes home in January and will probably be dreading having a PT in the house.

 

[lovesmurfs]

For Me…..As I mentioned above, I’ve done PT in the past for my neck & knees and I’m now currently doing PT for my knees. I’m going to take what I learn at PT and also do these exercises at the gym. My thighs and hips have gotten weaker due to my knees, which are really bad. I’ve been putting off getting the knees replaced since 2018 and now that I’m learning that my muscles are getting weaker, I may need to get this surgery done more sooner than later. My physical therapist has agreed with me that there’s nothing she can do to help my knees, they are to far gone, but she can help with the thigh pain I have due to the bad knees. So my PT is for targeting the thighs and hips.

So I was putting off having my knees replaced, and put it off once again when my father was diagnosed with cancer -- I told my orthopedic surgeon that I needed to be available for my mother. His response: "If you can't walk, how can you help anyone?"

My orthopedic surgeon originally sent me for PT for the knees (to "strengthen the muscles around the knees"). I came back from PT and told him it really didn't help. He said the only thing that would help would be to get them replaced.

So October 2021 I had the right one done (Northwestern Huntley -- they were AMAZING), and March 2022 (Sherman Elgin -- not so amazing, but they got it done). I actually liked the second PT better - they had an app (Healow) that had videos of all of the exercises and would count them out for me. It also reported to my PT that I was keeping up.

Just do it. My only regret is not having them done 10 years ago.

 

[clappyclaps]

No PT for me as of yet. Closest I've got to PT is regularly seeing a osteopath for a bad back/hip.

 

[AppleDumpling]

No, never had physical therapy. I’ve been fortunate to never have an injury or condition that required it.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I've had 2 back surgeries, 10 years apart. The last one they took the disc out completely. PT worked miracles in my recovery. You would never know I've had back surgery if I didn't tell you. The key is you have to go to a PT that understands your goals and work hard with them - don't just do the bare minimum and get hot and cold compresses, that will never work. Final step is to stay in shape so you don't have to go through it again.