Physical Therapists: of the Devil or just mean?

[glennhendricks]

I had my left knee replaced two weeks ago. I'm moving fairly well and with the encouragement of the PT the flexibility is improving.

http://www.ralphmag.org/AG/whip-lady373x328.gif

I've had various experiences with PT over the years. Although each and every PT I've worked with has been a really nice person once you get on the mat they turn into this guy.
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shire/3566/clock/di2.jpg

[MCMXCIVRS]

I feel your pain, but mostly I feel my own two to three times a week in my own physio sessions :cry And as if that's not enough, he wants me to inflict the pain upon myself 3-4 times a day at home. All I can say is tylenol and ibuprophin are my best friends. But my shoulder is getting better, so maybe he's right.

[glenfiddich]

Okay, I studied the pic you posted rather intently and see absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, it brought back fond memories.

But as to PT (Pain and Torture), I believe they have your own best interests in mind. I picked up a bit of shrapnel at the tender age of 19 that pretty much rearranged my left knee. Couple of surgeries and months of PT followed during which I would have gladly killed the PT except it was a woman and she outranked me. But today at 52 I can walk without a hint of a limp and only occasional aches in bad weather.

Pete
Chief Warrant Officer of Marines (Retired)

[glennhendricks]

Okay, I studied the pic you posted rather intently and see absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, it brought back fond memories.


Marines is nutz. I have one, I'm just saying...

Yup, I know the hassle is worth it and their horrible twisted enthusiasm coincided with my health.

Semper Fi. My 22 YO is in MCT right now, graduating on Tuesday.

[glenfiddich]

Semper Fi. My 22 YO is in MCT right now, graduating on Tuesday.

Excellent! My grandfather and father served, as did my sister. My niece and nephew are both on active duty now. It's a family addiction of sorts!

Semper fi to your Marine!

[Visian]

my wife is a PT. she says is stands for Physical Terrorist.

[rinty]

When my wife fell on the ice and broke her finger, the PT had great fun making her bend it back against the grain.

All for the goal of flexibility of course.

[ultracyclist]

Over the last 40 years I have re-habbed elbows, wrists, one thumb, shoulders, one achilles, and my back about 6 times.

I screwed my back up at a trade show-the worst one yet- last October (my fault), and I lost 6 weeks of productivity. I now use a sports PT, and he had me up, running, and air borne within a month! I chose exercises rather than narcotics.

I have been fortunate that I have had tough PT's, but they all have had a sense of humor.

They are tough, they need to be tough, and patient non-compliance is their enemy.

[Evergreen]

Im a little over one year past my knee replacement. Getting your leg to straighten fully is really important since the scar tissue is forming big time in the early rehab process. Don't get it straight, and you have a permanent limp. I've met people who had to go back in for a "release" under anesthesia (basically they manually straighten it out by having a BIG person push on it).

The stationary bike and ice are your friends right now. At six weeks post op, you'll feel a lot happier!

PT stands for pain and torture

Good Luck,

Greg

[Braddog]

Mostly angels, though, and not mean. The last time I had to go to PT was when I tore my MCL on my right knee. We were working on increasing the bend angle of my knee. I was on my back when the little therapist grabbed my ankle and yanked my knee to max bend!

Yeah, I didn't like that much. But thankfully, she was great with child, and I ended up having different people on subsequent trips.

[mthelmet]

Had both Knees replace, 2/8/2008.

The PT is right, all the PT will make you recover sooner. I was back on my feet in a little over 3 week using only a cane. In July we rode to Gillette for the National, riding 500 mile on the first day and 450 on the second, then we slowed down to take in the sites.

Covered 4300 mile on the trip.

So do the PT and have a quick recovery.:clap

The only thing I am finding out is wqith cold weather, my legs tighten up when I get up in the morning. It a little rough to get moving.

[glennhendricks]

Dude, you crazy.:bow

I'm glad it went well but I don't know how you did both at the same time.

[hlothery]

Right knee replaced June 2007, left one December 2007. As I walked off the golf course on Sunday (my second time walking 18 holes this weekend) I didn't give my knees a second thought. Here's to titanium and physical therapists! (those orthopedists ain't bad either!) :bow :nod :thumb

[buckeye]

I'm in PT for the fourth time in two and a half years...same lower leg. This time for a tendon transplant due to loss of the peroneal nerve. Seven days into the current PT and it appears as though the transplant will help my situation. Time will tell.
Hope to have my shifter foot working again without aid of artificial braces or such by this spring. I only got about three hundred miles in last season and I have some miles to make up.
Therapists are only half the remedy...you've got to want it.

[tourunigo]

.... riding long distance for a long time and maybe a tad too tense. Not nearly as severe as what you guys have been through. Anyway, off to PT to have this lack of range dealt with. Actually two PTs. First one was far too attractive for me..... took my really bad arm, extended it our at right angle, put the forearm between her breasts (no I'm not making this up!) and smiled. Then she pushed all of her weight onto my arm until my eyes blurred. She ain't so pretty now. So my next PT, a guy, said I carried myself somewhat like a caveman but he could fix that. He's working me over, I wince a lot. So we talk between my gasps for breath. Small talk from the PT : "So all of this comes from riding eh?" "ya" "I ride too" he says. "oh ya, what do you ride?" "Harley Sportster" he says as he hooks up the electical thingamagigs. Anyway, it all worked out.... he's actually a good friend now... cured the problem through some really simple exercises. I never did see the first PT again though:cry - Bob

[kbasa]

You never make any physical progress if you stay in your comfort zone.

Just sayin'.

[glennhendricks]

I've got flex up to about 108 degrees so far. Progress is being made.

[hlothery]

I've got flex up to about 108 degrees so far. Progress is being made.

Are you using a CPM machine at home? I found it very helpful, although somewhat masochistic to deliberately torture yourself with machinery!!!!:D

[glennhendricks]

Yup, I'm still sleeping in it.

[hlothery]

Yup, I'm still sleeping in it.

I found it extremely soothing, until I got up to about 120 degrees......then it became torture. :D

[iRene]

I'll stand up for PTs, mine found an additional 15-20% range of motion and increase in strength in
three months of work. :bow Now I can snowshoe! :clap

Which is all well and good, but I STILL can't wait for winter to end, I'd rather be riding, of course!