Physical therapy | Arthritis Information

I have tendonitis in my left foor which supposedly is not related to my ra. Actually though I sometimes think just about everything is related to ra.

I'm not in a great deal of pain, only when I walk, lol, but not not always.

I can no longer take walks and I hope for that to change soon.

I've been going to physical therapy for a month and can see little if any improvement.

I think it's time to move on, bit I'm having a hard time convincing my therapist of that.

Im not very assertive and have already been talked into another week.

I have a appointment with my family doctor a week from Tuesday. I had an MRI and we'll review the results.

I actually know them as the nurse read it to me, which she shouldn't have but I appreciated. Lots of stuff that was too techical for me.

Should I can continue going until I see my doctor or cancel my appointments?

One more question, after a month should some improvement be noted? He thinks I expect instant results but I really don't. My foot has been bothering me since May.

The therapy is many ultra sound, electrical stimulation, etc.

I appreciate any opinions.

Dotty

I wonder if at times PT can be a bit of a racket. Perhaps I am too cynical.

I did PT for over a year. Such fun. Anyway, I become good friends with my PT. She said that for most PT, it takes 6 weeks to begin to see results. That is how long it takes to build muscle. They get frustrated when dr. prescribed a month-unless it is for something very simple.

I would keep the appointments until you see your dr. Especially if he is the one that ordered it. Your PT can want you to continue but it is the dr. that signs off on it.

Thanks for your advice, it makes sense and I'm going to take it.

Just to be nosy, may I ask why you spent a year doing physical therapy?

have your PT call your doctor to find out for sure if PT is the right way to go right now or if your program needs adjusting. The PT won't hurt but if you are treating the wrong thing you won't see a lot of benefit from it either

Not nosy...that is a long time

For some reason, the RA has settled in my ribcage. I have inflammation from the sternum and down through the ribs and through the back. The inflammation causes the muscles to tighten which can make breathing hard. So, the PT used ultrasound to break up inflammation and then worked to keep the muscles loosened.

Physical Therapy can be very effective. Has your PT sent the prescibing doctor a plan of care? Sometimes depending on outcome of testing, your routine may have to be tweeked a bit. The two should be working together as a team for your care.

You also have to be faithful to your exercises that your PT gives you. Ultra sound and E Stim can be a great tool.

I also think one month is not going to fix a problem like that. Are you going two or three times a week? Do you ice? Do you exercise? Are you walking barefoot?

I'm an office mgr. for a PT clinic. I see great results and trust me, it's not b.s. It takes work though. I've also been a patient, for about a year prior to working in the field. I was in a car accident and had to have a lot of PT. With that said, not all PT's are the same, like anything else.

Thanks for your replies. Debra, I do ice, I do exercise, I swim, I do go barefoot rarely.

Should I be going bare foot all the time, or wearing sneakers or shoes all the time?

Again I apppreciate all your replies.

you should be wearing ...well fitted supportive shoes at all timesbuckeye2008-08-26 04:51:08if you want to quit PT, and you don't have the will to do it face to face... use the phone.

I love PT... when I'm not hurting ... they work my target areas and the tens machine does a great work out on the muscle group in my glute that is all tied up... I walked away w/ better ROM.. and feeling stronger..

It's expensive though... when in addition to all the meds.. /week X4 plus meds.. I need a second job!@! LOL

Being barefoot isn't good.....good support on your shoes/sneakers, or orthotics if you have them. (Not a DR., or PT, but patient and work for PT.....ask your own DR or PT)
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