Umming and erring about physio

[Sarararara]

I need some advice from you good people as to whether I need a physio appointment.

After a short session of fartleks I discovered a tender spot when I pressed behind my right knee but no pain when moving.

I rested for 4 days then did a leisurely 5k but during the cool down walk I suddenly felt huge stiffness and couldn’t put weight on the leg.

I hobbled home and over the last week the stiffness has eased with a combination of RICE, compression sleeve and gentle exercises.

It’s not outright pain but I can feel every movement of the muscles and tendons and my leg feels heavy.

There’s no bruising or swelling but I have limited flexibility and no strength, particularly when using stairs.

Question is do I go to the gp and wait for a month or so for NHS physio or is it worth going private? I’m concerned about spending £50 per session for something that time and common sense will sort out...

[Pianism Graduate10]

I work at an University, and we have a sports injury clinic that's open to the public (£15 per session). Is it worth exploring whether something like that is available local to you? I go every week (it's free to me) and it's been instrumental in giving me the knowledge and confidence to navigate through some tricky achilles issues.

[Sarararara Graduate10 in reply to Pianism]

Great idea, thank you, altho it turns out my nearest uni charges the same as every other physio... that teh south east for you!

[Pianism Graduate10 in reply to Sarararara]

Oh dear! Hope you get something sorted.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Good idea from Pianism. Personally, (and I really do have to watch the pennies😮) I believe a good Sports Physiotherapist is worth their weight in gold. I have used a local one following two injuries over the past few years and know I would not have got the same level of specialist knowledge and advice elsewhere. Also, knowing what to do and not do in those first couple of weeks is pretty important in aiding recovery. Only you can ultimately decide what is right for you. Good luck though - hope you get it sorted.🙂

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

I decided to consult a physio after a recent injury. It turned out be quite a minor calf problem followed by an achillies issue. She knew exactly what the problems were and gave me exercises to do every day and a staged running recovery plan(I love a plan!). I also got a better feeling for what was a serious problem and what was a “slow down to a walk, do few calf stretches and start running again “ problem. Now I am back running my legs feel stronger and I am continuing with exercises (chest infection permitted). I paid £42 for the first one hour appointment and £28 for follow up half hour ones. All involved sports massage on the affected area and some use of ultra sound. I think that both the treatment and the education as to managing future problems was well worth the money. I would never have thought about trying a local university. That is a really good suggestion. I went to the other extreme and used a practice used by a local ultra runner, because it gave me confidence that they knew what they were doing. Hope you are back fighting fit soon😊

[Sarararara Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Words of wisdom. So yes, it is worth seeing a sporty professional plus I am so bored of the IC!

They all seem to charge about the same so am on the hunt for the best of the best...

[MarkyD Graduate10]

A physio is going to do two things. First they will help diagnose the problem & get you rehabilitated.

Secondly they will do a bio mechanical assessment of you and your running gait and help you understand why you had the injury. No doubt they will prescribe some further exercises to strengthen the necessary parts of your body.

[Sarararara Graduate10]

That's a fine justification for going to a sports physio, thanks.