Physical Therapy

[Sizzle]

I am supposed to start physical therapy for a broken ankle next week. I'm not looking forward to going through the pain of PT although I am hoping to get better quick enough to play some ball this winter.

Anybody done ankle therapy before that would be able to let me know what I'm in for?

[Surfah]

I am supposed to start physical therapy for a broken ankle next week. I'm not looking forward to going through the pain of PT although I am hoping to get better quick enough to play some ball this winter.

Anybody done ankle therapy before that would be able to let me know what I'm in for?

Someone here is a PT and they would know exactly what you're in for. As for me the PT on my ankle was painful. I worked on range of motion, elastic bands, etc. The only thing I liked about it was the ultrasound that they did on my ankle after each session. For some reason it felt so good.

[pelagius]

I did ... but it was for ruptured ligaments ... I have no idea about the degree of overlap. The PT wasn't that painful ... Lots of excersizes meant to help me regain balance given that my ankle ligaments were useless.

[Sizzle]

Someone here is a PT and they would know exactly what you're in for. As for me the PT on my ankle was painful. I worked on range of motion, elastic bands, etc. The only thing I liked about it was the ultrasound that they did on my ankle after each session. For some reason it felt so good.

The ice and stim? They did that on my knee and I remember thinking that it felt great. Not sure what they'll do on my ankle though.

Hopefully the PT can chime in and let me know...

[Surfah]

The ice and stim? They did that on my knee and I remember thinking that it felt great. Not sure what they'll do on my ankle though.

Hopefully the PT can chime in and let me know...

Isn't SteelBlue a PT? Someone is I can't recall right now.

I did lots of balance stuff too, like standing on that half rubber ball thing. That wasn't for a few weeks though into my PT. Mine was for ligaments like Pelagius also.

[SteelBlue]

Bluegoose is the PT. He's off to Sactown for a marathon today. I'm sure he'll weigh in when he gets back.

[Surfah]

Bluegoose is the PT. He's off to Sactown for a marathon today. I'm sure he'll weigh in when he gets back.

I knew it was one you northern California blues.

[RockyBalboa]

I am supposed to start physical therapy for a broken ankle next week. I'm not looking forward to going through the pain of PT although I am hoping to get better quick enough to play some ball this winter.

Anybody done ankle therapy before that would be able to let me know what I'm in for?

But of luck to you Sizzle.

I started Physical Therapy on my neck last night and it wasn't fun, but then I didn't break a bone like you did, so I hope everything goes okay for you and that you get back to clearing hurdles in no time.

[bluegoose]

I haven't left just yet. I'm glad that I've made such an impression on you guys that everyone jumped right in with "Heck Yeah, we've got a PT here! Bluegoose is the man! He's helped me so much in the past."

Remind me again what you did, Sizzle? Was it a fractured fibula (Luke Staley injury)? Or was it the tibia? Either way it sounds like you're weight bearing now. Was there any ligament damage? Assuming your most recent xrays look good, they will likely get started right away on getting your range of motion back as soon as possible. Expect a fair amount of stretching by the PT. If they don't volunteer, ask what you can do at home in between appointments. A good rehab program has got to include home exercises.

As the motion and strength improve, Pelagius got it right in that balance and proprioception exercises are huge for the ankle, especially if you've had some ligamentous damage.

Ice, electrical stim and ultrasound are nice as an adjunct to the other stuff, which is really the meat and potatoes of your next several weeks.

Good luck.

[bluegoose]

But of luck to you Sizzle.

I started Physical Therapy on my neck last night and it wasn't fun, but then I didn't break a bone like you did, so I hope everything goes okay for you and that you get back to clearing hurdles in no time.

Are you interested in sharing they did with you during your first visit? It sounds like you have some serious neck problems, so I'm curious how agressive they were with you.

[RockyBalboa]

Are you interested in sharing they did with you during your first visit? It sounds like you have some serious neck problems, so I'm curious how agressive they were with you.

Not much the first time around.

Did this thing where I laid down and they put my head in this weird device and then I upped the pressure where it's supposed to stretch my neck out. Did that for about 15 min.

Then did the thing where they put electrodes on my neck/shoulder muscles and some heat on it.

Then taught me some stretches that he felt were important. I only felt a little bit better afterwards.

I woke up this morning and it was back even worse and more stiff than ever.

So today I went in to a new place by where I live for a Deep Tissue massage and asked her to focus on my neck and shoulders and middle back. Both the massage therapist and Physical Therapist mentioned they'd never had that hard of a time getting a knot out. The knot is actually on my trap muscle and holy crap does is it harder than a rock.

The Massage Therapist eventually used a device called a Magna Massager or Magnetic Massager or something like that....it looks like an Electronic Sander and WOW....did that sucker hurt...but it was a good hurt and I was stunned when I got off the table how much looser I felt.

I'm trying all these avenues before I go see a surgeon. Surgery is the absolute last resort for me when it comes to any neck or back issues. I simply just don't want to go through it if I can avoid it.

I felt like the massage did a lot mroe good than the Physical Therapy but like both of them told me...the neck is a very stubborn thing and it takes several visits...probably 4-6 weeks worth before I start feel better again.

[wuapinmon]

I started physical therapy for my back this morning. <REDACTED> OUCH! It hurts worse now than before I went. I go again on Monday. Tell me it gets better.

[Joe Public]

I started physical therapy for my back this morning. <REDACTED> OUCH! It hurts worse now than before I went. I go again on Monday. Tell me it gets better.

It gets better.

[PaloAltoCougar]

YMMV, but I'm very thankful for the PT I received after the major surgery following my final bike accident.. It was tough for a couple of months, but it enabled me to play golf again, just as poorly as I did before! Doing everything diligently that they instructed me to do between sessions really paid off. Speaking of golf, I play regularly with an orthopedic surgeon and he says that the greatest determinant of success following knee, hip, or shoulder replacements is how well a patient follows the PT instructions. Hang in there and work hard; it gets better.

[wuapinmon]

YMMV, but I'm very thankful for the PT I received after the major surgery following my final bike accident.. It was tough for a couple of months, but it enabled me to play golf again, just as poorly as I did before! Doing everything diligently that they instructed me to do between sessions really paid off. Speaking of golf, I play regularly with an orthopedic surgeon and he says that the greatest determinant of success following knee, hip, or shoulder replacements is how well a patient follows the PT instructions. Hang in there and work hard; it gets better.

My MiL had shoulder replacement and went to one PT appointment because "it hurt." She now cannot raise her arm above her chest and has to brush her hair and teeth with her non-dominant hand.