Physio?

[Scuba-phil]

Hi guys, iv got an appt with physio on Monday. I'm just not sure what to expect or wht I need to be telling them?

Will they work with every joint affected or just the biggest problem joints?

[earthwitch]

They will probably want to know which areas you have most problems with, but in my experience they are also really good at giving general advice on how to keep all your joints moving well. At a first appointment you will certainly have a chance to discuss what kind of physio and exercise plan they could offer and how that would work. You might also get a more overall assessment of joint mobility too. It depends a little on whether you are seeing a specialist rheumatology physio, and whether they allow longer time for the initial appointment. Physio can be incredibly useful for "joint saving techniques" as well. Hope you get a lot out of it.

[earthwitch]

The only thing you really need to tell them straight off is that you have RA, but they will probably know that from the referral letter anyway. Then just take it from there.

[helixhelix]

I've had good physio's and ones that have been fairly useless....the good ones ask lots of questions and carefully assess how you stand, walk, bend etc etc, so wear clothes that are easy to remove. And then do hands on treatment v gently and carefully, and show you exercises and how to move better, and discuss whether you need splints/supports. But not all are like that. I have just been through physio again as was getting v locked up, and after the initial assessment all I've had is two 15 minutes sessions where I've been handed printed sheets of exercises and the physio has watched me do them. And apparently that's all I'm entitled to and have now been "discharged"... So it has really made very little difference, and has certainly not done much to improve things as the exercises were by and large ones I was doing already. Polly

[oldtimer]

Like Helixhelix, I've had very variable experiences of physios. One time I went after a long wait for an appointment to be told after about 10mins of assessment, that as I was "adequately motivated to do exercise" I would not be seen again - just to carry on with the same exercises that I was already doing.

But another time I had a long careful assessment, and six sessions in the hydrotherapy pool which really helped enormously.

I think it helps if you have a clear idea what it is that YOU want to be able to do and tell the physio. For example, some of them think that I will be quite happy just to potter around when what I really want to do is walk up that hill!

[missjwren]

ive also not had much joy with physio, assessment was very breif and i was sent away with printed exercises, on follow up appointment, i had to show physio how i was doing excercises and was given another app.

i didnt attened or ring to cancell next app, as i ended up having cellulitus and was really quite unwell. when i went back to see consultant, he said i had been discharged for not attending and even when i explained what had happened i was told i would have to wait to be refered. that was 2 years ago.

im not gonna bother now as it is sometimes such a hastle to get myself sorted to go to the hospital, to only be given printed excersises. i now do very basic streaching excersises most days when i can. and in the summer i go swimming, but hopefully you will get a more helpful physio and no paper excersise leaflet. good luck. jenny.