Physical therapy

Hello everyone,

I start physical therapy next week on my foot. I was wondering if anyone is going through physical therapy and can let me know Some of the expectations may be how long I might be in therapy for what can the therapist do or can’t do medically speaking. I know these might seem like silly questions, but this is my first time.

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TheFunCartel

I shattered my ankle, broke my foot and fractured my shin seven years ago after falling off my roof. How long depends on a few factors—how severe the injury was, what the doctor says, and most importantly—how many visits your insurance allows. The first session is measurements and assessments so they have a baseline. You will pedal a stationary bike, stair steps, stretching, and resistance training for the most part but there will be other exercises as well. You will be given various bands for stretching. At the end of each session they will massage the injured area because it will swell. Usual time in therapy for something like that is 3 months at 2-3 times a week. But you will have home exercises as well. You get out of it what you put into it.

CuddleDuncan

PT can be anything from one session to forever, but treatments are most commonly measured in weeks. The therapist may use massage or manipulation, heat, cold, ultrasound or just show you some exercises to do. Or any of a whole bunch of other possible treatments. Specialist equipment, from big elastic bands (for exercises) to crutches may come into the plan. Whatever they do may be uncomfortable but's unlikely to be much more painful than the thing is already.

They may or may not be able to prescrible medicine, but they may recommend over the counter or home remedies.

Millions of people have PT appointments every day around the world. You'll be fine.

Some treatments have sound evidence that they are effective. Others aren't much better than a placebo effect. Don't expect miracles but if you do what you're told it's extremely likely that the condition will improve.

Kempist

I was in a rehab/nursing home facility for a few months years ago. I looked forward to physical therapy. They joked around and made it fun. I went to outpatient physical therapy this past summer. It was the same thing there. Cool music. Cool therapists. Usually when I go to the doctors I somehow feel diminished by their manner and attitude. I never felt that from physical therapists.

GreatHornedOwl

@FunCartel is right. How long is mostly up to you, but the nature of the injury will certainly have an affect to.

I had both hip joints replaced, with a two year interval between them. Both were done by the same surgeon, and both had essentially the same amount of damage that needed to heal. The first time, I took a rather relaxed approach to my physical therapy. It was just over six weeks until I could walk without a cane, and without significant pain.

For the second hip, I was determined to get it over with as soon as possible. The day after my surgery, I walked up and down a flight of stairs. It hurt, but with the help of a cane, I made it. I really attacked my physical therapy hard. In addition, I spent at least an hour a day on a stationary bicycle. Three weeks after the surgery, I was walking without a cane, and with zero pain

@GreatHornedOwl @snugbuddy @CuddleDuncan @FunCartel thank you all for your input! That gives me a better understanding of what to expect