? About physical therapy.

[exercise forever]

Hey guys,

I have been taking physical therapy for about 21/2 months for achilles tendonitis and things haven't improved greatly. I managed to get out of my boot cast and have good foot movement, but I am still tender in the tendon of my heel and still have sharp pain. Today I had a talk with the PTasst. and she said that sometimes PT keeps it from healing because the tendon gets aggravated from the massaging and exercises they give you. She says sometimes that some people leave PT and after two weeks they are better. She is being honest with me and just letting me know that PT might not break me out of my plateau right now.

I guess I am looking for some input. Or anyone who has experienced this injury and PT. I have been thinking that they have shown me all that can be done to my foot.


Sorry so long,



kim

 

[Miss Lee]

I'm so sorry about your injury--achilles tendonitis is a tough one. It can be acute or chronic and the healing process can be quite lengthy. It's easy to see why you would feel discouraged.

I wouldn't put much stock in what the PT assistant told you because she is just that, an assistant, with limited REAL knowledge. In fact, she was out of line and I'm sure her position would be in jeopardy if her superiors caught wind of it. Her job is to assist, observe, and report.

If you feel you're not responding to the therapy I would report the lack of progress to your doctor or physical therapist. You might consider asking your doctor for a sports medicine or podiatric referral.

I wish you well and I hope that pesky tendon heals soon

Michele

 

[luvtorun]

I agree with Michele... stick with the plan your doctor outlined for you. I believe the PT asst was way out of line making judgement calls like this that she is not qualified to make.

Don't stop physical therapy and end up sliding backward in your recovery. These injuries take time to heal but follow your doctor's orders, they know far more about your injury and what it will take to heal it than a PT assistant.

 

[exercise forever]

Thanks jane and Michele. I will still go by what the doctor and PT say. I think it is crazy though how you have to see a different person each time you go to PT. Gets any crazier and I will go somewhere else. I am being a patient girl though!



kim

 

[Miss Lee]

Kim,

You're dead on. I can't stand it when there's a lack of continuity in care. Maybe you can ask the director of the department about scheduling your appts with the same 1 or 2 people all of the time.

Michele