1st physio appt - feeling frustrated

stralachlan

I've just got back from my 1st physio appt which has left me feeling quite frustrated. Apart from suggesting a podiatary appt (I have flat feet) which didnt actually get booked, it doesnt really feel like he's told me to do anything more than I'm already doing - loose weight, keep up with the cycling & scuba diving (cos its like swimming).

He prodded my knee, and made me bend it in various directions, but nothing that sparked off the pain I get walking - of course as soon as I left to walk back to the car park it kicked in again. Grrrr.

He mentioned steroid injection (maybe next time) and muttered something along the lines of "we do this to keep the orthopedic surgeons happy - they like to know we've tried everything"

I suppose I was expecting to be shown some specific exercises to be getting on with. It all just felt very wishy washy. I see him again at the end of Aug.

Does this match mosts people's experience of a 1st appt?

On the plus side I did get to see my Xray which is definitely worse than the last one, and very lopsided now.

annebr

Hi,

I must admit that when i went to physio I thought it was a waste of time. The first appt they gave me an exercise sheet and told me to repeat them at home as many times as possible. On my second visit they went through the exercises again and asked if I was doing them at least 4 times a day. I explained that would be impossible as I was working and they suggested I do them in the loos at work (no chance).

I had noticed they had a hydro pool so I asked if I could get hydro therapy as the physio was now dismissing me. They checked with the guy in charge who thought I was an interesting case & game me 10 sessions. Which did help but I had no where to go to keep it up.

If you can get the chance ask about hydro therapy.

Anne

elnafinn

It does all sound a little wishy washy to me too, reading your post. It is true that surgeons do like you to have gone down the physio route so as to rule that out as being of help or not - all part of the procedure but it sounds like this physio did not persever much, does it? If you mentioned that your knee plays up when walking why didn't he accompany you down the corridor or something so you got the pain? Admittedly if you had no pain whilst there, it would be difficult for him to give you exercises to do...........

Over the years I have been to see physios about different parts of my anatomy that have been playing up and cannot remember any that I felt was a waste of time, even in the end, if it did not help or not for any length of time.

That seems a long time to wait until the end of August for your next appointment. Would the physio give you the steroid injection??

I expect you feel like not bothering with the end of August appointment. Sorry I am not much help but I really do sympathise.

Elna

woodbon

Hello, I've had physio on several occastions and I have gained quite a bit with most. The only one that I didn't feel was very interested was the last one and I went with neck pain. She wouldn't do anything until I had an MRI which was booked. I think she was worried she would do more harm than good. But the lumber exercises I had helped a lot. Maybe some are better than others. Love Sue

elnafinn

woodbon wrote:

Hello, I've had physio on several occastions and I have gained quite a bit with most. The only one that I didn't feel was very interested was the last one and I went with neck pain. She wouldn't do anything until I had an MRI which was booked. I think she was worried she would do more harm than good. But the lumber exercises I had helped a lot. Maybe some are better than others. Love Sue

Some physios ARE better than others, like gps, consultants, rheumis, etc. It is all luck of the draw or recommendation that gets you to the good people. In shops, on the telephone, some people are so much better at their job than others. In most scenarios when asking for advice, help, actually, that is life.

Elna

skezier

Hi,

I can't really help cus i haven't seen a physio for man years. Back along some were good and some weren't and some really hurt you. Its wrong that it seems to be such a lottery but maybe your next appointment will be better. I hope it is and I think the A.C.site has some exercises? They do for necks and backs and may well have for knees. take care, Cris

joanlawson

Hi

I think you have been unlucky in your physio. Out of all the doctors, consultants etc I have seen, my physio has been the most helpful. She had time to talk to me properly, and treated me when I had bursitis in my hip with a course of acupuncture. This worked when a steroid injection had failed, so I was very grateful to her.

Joan

bailey27

Hi
My first physio appointment was quite frustrating too. Well technically psekaing it was the second as the first one took so long going through the history and he didnt actually do or show me anything.
The physio was following some repair I had done through key hole surgery a few months back.
I saw a different physio the second time and she was trying to get me to do exercises that were impossible for me. She must ave been thinking that because I had surgery on my knee, it was only my knee I had trouble with and I could sense her frustration when I would explain I couldnt do cerrtain exercises because I would hurt my back. Then she would try and make me do the same exercise but in a different position (kind of like to trick me into doing it!) I had to question her whether she knew I had arhtirits in my hips and back and that I was limited in certain positions. Of course she had no idea and had to revert to her notes where she said 'Oh yes - ok we'll call it a day for now and I'll see you in a fortnight' I have not been back and have since arranged to see a different physio, hoipefully one who will read my notes before doing me further injury!!

nick55

I have found my physio extremely good, the exercises have helped a great deal. she is very on the mark, i have twice been given new exercises, and last time -last Tuesday, in fact, she put me on an exercise bike. this helped loosen my joints, as she noted. I use stretching exercises every day, about twice, one can feel the joints stretching, and the muscles in the thighs and lower back. I am walking in the country, not using a walking pole right now. she is not convinced it helps though on longer walks I feel it is invaluable.


Nick

joyful164

stralachlan wrote:

I've just got back from my 1st physio appt which has left me feeling quite frustrated. Apart from suggesting a podiatary appt (I have flat feet) which didnt actually get booked, it doesnt really feel like he's told me to do anything more than I'm already doing - loose weight, keep up with the cycling & scuba diving (cos its like swimming).

He prodded my knee, and made me bend it in various directions, but nothing that sparked off the pain I get walking - of course as soon as I left to walk back to the car park it kicked in again. Grrrr.

He mentioned steroid injection (maybe next time) and muttered something along the lines of "we do this to keep the orthopedic surgeons happy - they like to know we've tried everything"

I suppose I was expecting to be shown some specific exercises to be getting on with. It all just felt very wishy washy. I see him again at the end of Aug.

Does this match mosts people's experience of a 1st appt?

On the plus side I did get to see my Xray which is definitely worse than the last one, and very lopsided now.

I was very frustrated with the Hospital Physio dept.

Firstly though, you will have to get your GP to refer you to Podiatrist

Sometimes, they will suggest an injection, but the guy you saw may not have a licence to do it. They have to be registered to give on.

It is so frustrating when a pain disappears at the time of assessment and then reappears like magic afterwards.

Between now and your next appointment, keep a diary.

I think you will have most things set up ready for your next appointment, because they only have a certain length of time to spend with each person each day.

The only downside of using the hospital physio is that when you do get treatment, e.g. ultra sound, massage or manipulation, it is only for about 10-15 minutes. When you see a private physio, they will give you at least 30 minutes. That's from my own experience, it may be different where you are.

Good luck with your next visit and also make a list of questions you would like to ask aswell.

joyful

auntie

My physio was very helpful, gave me exercises and exercise sheets too, but only told me to do them twice a day which I find a bit too infrequent as nothing seemed to be happening. I tried doing them religiously every day, but after weeks of nothing happening I just sort of gave up. I know it will take a long time to build up muscles but I didn't see any change at all. I haven't been back to see her as I felt (and she said) that they didn't really have anything else to offer and I should just try and exercise my legs as best I can to get them working again... sometimes I just lack the willpower to do the exercises when it seems like they're not having any effect. Does anyone know anything about muscle wasting and how long it generally takes to build them back up?

Sorry for the lack of helpful advice, I've asked more questions than given answers!!! I hope you have more luck with your physio than I have (although she was very nice!)