Doctor says no to physio

[rvermeul]

I had a question a few days ago about recovery after a broken femur.

I went to my post-op appointment with the ortho surgeon and he tells me that I don't need physio. He says I can do it all by myself and physio is for people that do not take care of themselves and I don't need it. I somewhat disagree and would like someone else's experience with this opinion from a surgeon. I am trying to keep active using my gym membership and have started in the pool and hope to graduate to a stationary bike soon but I believe I need help to get the 15 lbs of muscle back.

comments? experiences?

[physiobob]

It would be my opinion that this is the kind of advice that can lead to poor long-term potential. It is true that you need to do the work, not the Physiotherapist. However this is like telling a builder he can make a house without an architect. Possible, Yes but not always a great result!

You should see the Physio for a thorough assessment and plan for your initial phase of rehabilitation exercise. You go away and do it as that's perhaps cost effective if you have access to the type of exercise they recommend. Then after a period of time you should come back in for phase 2 and so on.

Physiotherapists are perhaps the best one's to manage your health on numerous levels. One should consider the GP and sometimes the Orthopaedic surgeon not much more than someone we use when we feel a referral is appropriate!! Now that's a statement