First day of PT after complaint on employee

[beth1954]

Well, I had my first day of PT after I complained on the Intern that was working with me. The Doctor that runs the clinic sat me down and the first thing he said was "Thank you." He said he knows it's terribly difficult to write a letter like that and that he could tell I took alot of time and effort to get it just the way I wanted. He blamed himself in that he is the one who oversees ALL of the other PT's and Interns. He said he should have been paying more attention. He said it's really important to see the signs that a patient is in "intolerable" pain. But he said he failed on that. He had a talk with the Intern (Rachael) and she understands what she did wrong. He also talked to the therapist that is going to be working with me from now on.

He said it's bad that Rachael hurt me so bad, but he said the good news (I guess it's good) is that he feels like some of the scar tissue actually broke up--or was torn apart I guess. I had better ROM today than I've ever had.

But I was very happy with our discussion and I'm with another therapist and I like her alot.

:D

 

[Texas]

hey Beth wow it paid off im so glad for you........He needed to know that !!!!!!!well im glad it all worked out see you did the right thing..........im hope this goes better but i think they will keep an eye on it........you get get em''''''...............)

 

[Judles]

Good going, Beth! So that was really a blessing in disguise! :p:thmb:

 

[loggon]

Great Beth
Glad you got it worked it out.

 

[Jamie]

Beth, this type of thing is never easy to do. But it was the RIGHT thing for you to do. And you made the complaint clearly and with grace (no yelling)....perfect. I'm so proud of you and of your success. Therapy will be so much better for you now. But think what you've done for that gal (she has an opportunity to do a better job) and others who might have come in contact with her (they may live now!). Way to go!!!

And way to go with the ROM too!!!

 

[Motherofmany]

Sorry about the painful therapy and difficult situation, but it seems like you handled it with grace and it has worked out for everyone.

I once had a pt that thought force was helpful. Didn't help anyone, only caused lots of pain. Still had to have a MUA which did the trick much better and less painful. Didn't go back there after the MUA either.

Keep them straight. Good work on the increased ROM!

 

[JudyS]

Beth I am very happy for you. Now on to recovery!!!
judy

 

[Josephine]

Great - I'm delighted for you, Beth. Was a tough call.

 

[cindy88fan]

Way to go Beth. I know that was hard to do. I did a similar thing with my home PT. She told me since I had so much swelling that I should increase my pain med...which is not an anti-inflammatory. She also had me walking behind a wheel chair from room to room on my 2nd day of PT. I thought she was nuts and I didn't think that was safe at all considering I had both knees done. I wrote a letter to her boss. I feel bad because she no longer works for that company but the way she did her job was not right. She also came one day and was mad at her boyfriend's ex-wife and took it out on me! Rough PT that day!

 

[beth1954]

Oh, I can't stand people that take out their frustrations out on someone else!! Especially someone who already feels like they've been kicked to the ground!!

 

[Josephine]

How very unprofessional.

 

[beth1954]

I was reading various other threads where people have said you don't have to be in pain at PT. WHENEVER my knee is bent back or leg is extended (by the therapist) it is horrible pain. If I would stop them everytime, they wouldn't even be able to touch me!!

Even though they are being nicer now, I dread every visit there.

 

[abunnybabe]

Are you taking pain meds before you go? You probable HAVE to in order to regain some ROM.

 

[Josephine]

Indeed - that's so right, Terri.

 

[Linda2]

I'm sorry that it hurts you so badly. I have trouble with pain, too, but the pain at PT always seems to be the "hurts so good" type of pain. I have learned to tell the difference (for me), so that helps direct the therapist.

 

[beth1954]

All of the pain I have is the HURTS SO BAD pain!

 

[Judles]

Beth! Is the new therapist doing any better for you NOW?:sct:

 

[beth1954]

Well, yes it's going better....I feel like a big baby though. Because of the incident with that other girl, I've practically developed a phobia about going into that building! I can't hardly walk in there w/o crying!!

What they have me doing now is alot of the exercises....leg lifts, calf stretches, "donkey kicks" with 4 lb weight on my ankle, mini-squats, some lunges, standing on one leg, then another one is where they put this stretchy thing around my leg and then I just straighten out my leg to push back the back of my knee........

And then the "jiggle" thing. Anyone else have that done? They sit in front of me on a chair, and put their hands around my knee, (well just below my knee) and then just jiggle the life out of it!! I guess it helps break up scar tissue and just get everything moving around in there. I thought it would hurt, but it doesn't hurt at all!

As far as the "manual" part, there is no pushing beyond the ROM that I can get to on my own. There is no mashing of the knee downward toward the table to get extension. Passively I can get to 107 (today at least) ROM. She thinks that's pretty good. They will not be pushing my knee around unless I tell them they can, and she thinks I'm doing pretty good....so far so good.

 

[brs0660]

Sound great to me. Those are the same kind of exercises they had me do as well...along with a bike ride or two. I am glad they are treating you with the respect that you deserve!!!! Your are the client they are the provider. You are paying them to help NOT to tortue you!:shk:

As a health care provider, it is our job to serve you. You have choice to choose a different PT place..they need your business...it is amazing what the power of one good or bad experience can have on us!!!

 

[tom67]

I'm glad this Is a much better experience now for you. I start Outpatient next week
and I'm dying to hear other peoples takes on replacement therapy verses scope
therapy(wich I had after 2 torn meniscus scopes) I figured It was bound to be
different! Your a strong woman for doing what you had to do, that had/has
to be incredibly difficult! Your doing fantastic! Best of luck in therapy and I hope you feel good!