How did you choose your outpatient PT place?

[abunnybabe]

Hi guys. I have been going to outpatient PT since my arthroscopy in Aug. I chose it because it's very close to my house and easy to get to.
The problem is that I am not too impressed with the therapy that they are doing for the TKR patients. We all do the same exercises and I never see them get there knees measured. Everyone here always talk about the degree of flex/extension. I was only measured the first day that I went. My PT buddy, who's a bilat TKR hasn't been measered either.
SO....what do I look for in a PT facility? I need to start interviewing about town. Luckily here in Long Island there are tons of places to go.
Thanks!

 

[cotton1958]

My Dr. chose my places for me. I had to switch places because of my insurance.

I know of someone who got a list of places his insurance would cover, and his wife literally went to every single place before they chose a PT.

 

[Texas]

Hey Terri talk with them ask them why or what the program is..Just have them explain and you ask all your questions......You need to be happy there...U was measured every time I went not that you should be IDK......But they definitely kept up with that.............good Luck to you we will all be here to help when your on the other side........hugs........

 

[FrogFeathers]

The hospital where I had my surgery has several places affiliated with them where I could go. I chose the one closest to my house (I live a town away from where I had surgery). I could have gone to any of the places in town (we have a "sports rehab" place around here too). I stuck with the affiliated one because I figured their communication between the surgeon's office and their office would be easier to maintain in the same health system.

As for measuring, I was measured at least twice a session- once at the start and again at the end.

 

[dcdowden]

You might also ask your surgeon for some names/numbers of a couple other patients so you can talk to them about their PT experience, etc. I don't know whether all the HIPPA privacy stuff in the US allow them to give you that type of info, but its worth a try. I knew several people around town that had gone to various PT places and I talked to some of them as well. Word of mouth is sometimes the best reference for lots of services. Maybe somebody on this forum is in your area.
Doug

 

[loggon]

Terri First you check with your insurance company to see which places you can go to.

Then if you have time, you go visit unannounced! Just look and see what and how the PT is going.

I went over 40 miles for my land PT because I knew it was really good. I had to pass up about 4 with in a couple of miles of my home and several along the way.

I had home PT for about 2 1/2 months or so. I had a great hands on therapist. She was amazing.

Then went to water therapy and then land. All were really good.

 

[brs0660]

I was assigned an outpatient site. Called my doctor and asked if I could change it...he said NO problem

 

[abunnybabe]

Thanks to all of you. I have found a few places that I want to look into. I was going to call to make appointments, do you really think it's better to just show up and check them out?

 

[Judles]

Good idea!! :thmb:
:evil:

 

[Jamie]

If it was me, I would make an appointment to talk with someone who specializes in knee patients. I think the idea about asking what they do for TKR patients is excellent. You want to afford them the professional courtesy of not interrupting them while they are working with another patient. If you go unannounced, about all you might be able to do is watch what they are doing with others....no questions or discussions unless someone happened not to be busy. Also, some places simply might not allow you to go past the waiting room without an appointment.

 

[Linda2]

I would make sure that they include manual manipulation of the area to keep adhesions from forming--that's a huge help.

 

[beachbum]

I had my hospital class today, and they asked what PT I wanted to use ... for me it was easy (small towns help!) I teach with her mother, we go to church together, her cousin lives across the street, and she also works with the school system and has done PT for several of my students in the past. I know she will make darn sure I do what I'm supposed to!

 

[abunnybabe]

I'm almost afraid to ask but what is manual manipulation? (I know it sounds self explanatory)

 

[Clunker]

I'm almost afraid to ask but what is manual manipulation? (I know it sounds self explanatory)

I know,,
but I better let someone else explain,,I could say it wrong,:hehe:
Hi bunnybabe,how you doing? Hope all is good with you!

 

[abunnybabe]

I'm good Mark, thanks for asking. Just 15 days left with my old clunker of a knee.

 

[Clunker]

Hey don't be using that clunker name in vain,,lol.
Terri 15 days,you will be a new woman,that might deserve some more woot woots,,haha. Now Jamie will be giving me a bad time about that I suppose,ha.
You stay positive and all will go great,time passes fast.

 

[abunnybabe]

Yeah, I'll be a crying, screaming wreck of a woman. I am not a good patient. I just thank my lucky stars to have a husband who is a good nurse, lol. He's really a cop but he takes good care of me when I am sick or injured.

 

[Josephine]

I would make sure that they include manual manipulation of the area to keep adhesions from forming--that's a huge help.

Adhesions occur because some individuals have a tendency to form them. The majority of people do not have that tendency. It therefore follows, with an elegant inevitability, that the majority will be unlikely to develop adhesions.

 

[dcdowden]

My therapist performs a a deep massage of the knee after each session. She has worked especially at breaking up any 'knotty' spots that represent scar tissue that has formed. I still have one small knot left at the very top of my incision, but it is much smaller than it was when I first started out patient PT. My therapist also sets me up with about 15 minutes of electrical stimulation combined with ice at the end of the session. So far so good.
Doug

 

[Linda2]

You reminded me--I also have 20 minutes of E-stim and an cold pack at the end of each session.