Rehab including physical therapy is both an art and a science. No one likes to hear it—and maybe it will become less art and more science over time as technology and methods improve to capture in real time the genetic and microbiological changes that happen in each individual person— but it’s the truth. That’s where we find ourselves. There are substantiated healing times, biological, and biomechanical analyses that result in the medical community putting forth protocols for whichever surgery or injury you are going through. Therapists use these protocols as guidelines as they rehabilitate their patients. There is ongoing communication between all parties of the rehab team to get the patient to where they want to go.
For fun, I’ll use myself as an example. Generally, the accepted amount of time for a grade 1 or 2 ligament sprain to heal is between 3-8 weeks. From there we can get more specific; we consider which ligament. In my case, it was the ACL. Without getting too technical, the ACL provides knee joint stability and is important in functional mobility, landing, deceleration, and change of direction. The function gives the protocol the guardrails for how to safely progress. In my case, I consulted an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in ACL surgeries. Her recommendation was to not begin cutting or change of direction training until at least 12 weeks after the original injury out of concern for ligament healing and long-term health of the ligament. This isn’t too dissimilar from a post-surgical protocol; generally speaking, that would occur at about 16 weeks post-operation.
From there the fun begins. Physiotherapists have a working algorithm that consists of checkboxes and prerequisites to keep the process on the correct timeline. In an orthopedic or sport setting, early on this often looks like reducing swelling, improving range of motion, maintaining muscle activation, preventing muscle atrophy, minimizing pain, and normalizing gait (the way you walk). As those boxes are checked, the next phase can begin of increasing the challenge with load/resistance and stability. It is true that you must be able to stand on both feet before you can stand on one. It is equally true that you must walk before you run. Seems simple enough, right? Unfortunately, people are not perfect, and there can be hiccups, delays, or setbacks. As a matter of fact, this is exactly where I find myself: at a small speed bump in the road. I’ve been rehabbing my own injury, doing everything right, and yet, knee swelling will sneak up on me when I least expect it. It’s not ideal. It’s manageable, and I can adjust load, reps, stability, rest, etc. As much as I hate to say it, I’m not a professional athlete. Listening to my body and taking the slow and steady route will ultimately be for the best.
As a therapist and a patient myself, there are a few things I would like to impart on my clients.
First, be your own best advocate; and if you can’t do it yourself, ask for help from someone you trust. This includes doing your homework (on physicians, facilities, insurance, etc), being engaged throughout the process with questions, and sometimes getting a second opinion when possible.
Second, think about your goals and what you want. Have an honest conversation with yourself and your therapist. A good therapist will meet you where you are to achieve your goals. However, with your goals in mind, know that your personal level of commitment is the biggest factor in getting there. Even with the best advice or treatments, accomplishing a goal still takes intent and willingness to put in the work.
Lastly, don’t forget to give yourself grace. Life is hard. Setbacks make it harder. Have confidence in yourself that you can follow through with a plan and achieve whatever goals you have for yourself.
Disclaimer:
This website is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on Kinetic Rx LLC’s website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. No physician-patient relationship is created by this web site or its use. Neither Kinetic Rx LLC, nor any contributor to this web site, makes any representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided herein or to its use.