Had my first PT appt today
-
-
@kluurs said in Had my first PT appt today:
Really hoping for good news on the thumb post-surgery evaluation. It can take a (long) while for recovery.
+1 on both points
It's surprising how long it can take for the swelling to go away, and it impedes movement until it does go away. -
What everybody else said!!!
-
Nah, something is wrong again. I can pinpoint it to what the PT did but that is never going to be accepted so I'm just going to shrug with ignorance as it ever so slowly dawns on everybody that there must be another tendon discontinuity. I really like this surgeon and he does want this to work. But he's not going to conflict too strongly with his PT team and there can never be any proof of anything anyway. I can't twitch the thumb anymore. That got a shrug and a positive thoughts reaction from the surgeon yesterday. It will take time before the fact that the joint is non functional is accepted. I am familiar with this process from last time. Maybe there will be another procedure. I have three months of free medical care, so there's at least that.
-
@Horace said in Had my first PT appt today:
I can pinpoint it to what the PT did but that is never going to be accepted so I'm just going to shrug with ignorance as it ever so slowly dawns on everybody that there must be another tendon discontinuity
The surgeon MUST be made aware of this. If the PT did damage, he should stop referring patients to that organization, or that therapist's qualifications/abilities should be re-examined.
Also, does the surgeon say "Wait, and see how it goes?"
The problem with tendon injuries is that if they're not repaired, the tendon can atrophy and become useless for further repair. That's the physiology of rotator cuff arthropathy. If the rotator cuff repair is delayed, the tendons turn to mush, and won't hold a suture. I'd see him again ASAP.
-
I'm doing what I can. If you haven't experienced the wall of positive thinking assumptions you may not respect how high and solid it is. I am reminded of the old story of investigative journalists embedding themselves in insane asylums to study them from the inside. Turns out, it's actually not possible to convince anybody there you're sane, even if you are. In that same vein, it's difficult to convince physical therapists or even the surgeon that the repair failed. There is no demonstrable lack of function that will convince them, until some certain amount of time has passed. I was very direct with the PT today that I am worried that there is another discontinuity. I demonstrated my lack of ability to twitch the joint. She is not convinced. I asked her to relay my concerns to the surgeon, even if she thought I was being paranoid. I have already relayed those concerns to him yesterday. This is the same dance I went through with the last surgeon/pt team. That time, I allowed myself to question my conclusions a little but this time I am just depressed about the whole thing. I won't be giving up and there is yet more time for another free procedure this year. Good thing they don't jack up health insurance rates like they do for car insurance, when you use it.
-
@George-K said in Had my first PT appt today:
@Horace said in Had my first PT appt today:
I can pinpoint it to what the PT did but that is never going to be accepted so I'm just going to shrug with ignorance as it ever so slowly dawns on everybody that there must be another tendon discontinuity
The surgeon MUST be made aware of this. If the PT did damage, he should stop referring patients to that organization, or that therapist's qualifications/abilities should be re-examined.
Also, does the surgeon say "Wait, and see how it goes?"
The problem with tendon injuries is that if they're not repaired, the tendon can atrophy and become useless for further repair. That's the physiology of rotator cuff arthropathy. If the rotator cuff repair is delayed, the tendons turn to mush, and won't hold a suture. I'd see him again ASAP.
This.
-
@Horace said in Had my first PT appt today:
I know I could be more proactive. Heck, I could probably just request my surgeon refer me to a third opinion and maybe it'd all be covered. I guess I have a very strong tendency against being that pushy.
I'm very non-pushy too in RL and generally sit silently stewing rather than get something done, but I think with medical issues you really have to be your own advocate when something isn't right.
-
@Horace said in Had my first PT appt today:
I know I could be more proactive. Heck, I could probably just request my surgeon refer me to a third opinion and maybe it'd all be covered. I guess I have a very strong tendency against being that pushy.
If I were nearby Iβd be glad to go with you as your pushy bastard companion.