Physical Therapy

What are some physical therapy exercises that can reduce the risk of bedsores?

DoctorG — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:37:31 +0000

<p>My sister is 16. She was paralyzed in an accident, she’s very thin, she can’t use her hands or roll over, and she has to be diapered mainly because she can’t control herself. She’s still in the hospital but will be coming home soon. What are some good physical therapy exercises or massages to do on her that can reduce the risk of bedsores? She’s quadriplegic, I want to help do physical therapy on her daily when she gets home.

the key to prevention of bed sores is frequent pressure relief. She should have a good skin relieving cushion in her wheelchair and potentially a quality mattress with skin relieving features. Her PT and dme people can recommend specifics. In bed, she should be repositioned every 2 hours.

Are there any type of advancement for physical therapy assistant like a bridge program to a PT?

DoctorG — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:37:30 +0000

<p>

There are two official bridge programs: one in Ohio and one in California…however, the requirements are still usually that you have a BS degree and the prerequisites that you did not get as a PTA. Therefore, you’d still have to go back to college to earn a BS degree first and then go to graduate school. For the most part, it doesn’t save you any time to be a PTA first. The only real advantage of the bridge programs is that they can be done on a part time/weekend format basis. That, and considering that there are only two programs, those making the transition usually wind up in a traditional PT program. So if you go to PTA school first, expect to spend at least an additional 6 years to become a PT after that. It’s a very difficult transition unless you work on a BS degree concurrently with your AS degree.

Need advice on shoulder/neck injury, pls!?

DoctorG — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:37:30 +0000

<p>Hello, on 12/7/06 I had fell very hard onto a concrete floor. I hit my head back, shoiulder and arm. I have been in physical therapy for about two months to treat this injury.
I first recieved and MRI for my neck and it showed that I posterior disc protusion slightly effacing the ventral csf at c5-6 and c4-5. I also have a disc bulge at c6-7.

At first the pain was quite severe but physical therapy, rest and medication had helped some bit. The problem is that I still get neck aches daily. The pain can get to be pretty bad at times
.
I recently recieved and MRI for my shoulder which showed impingement. The results say: There is a down-sloping acromion which does touch a midly efface the supraspinatus musculotendinous junction. There is tenosynovitis of the biceps tendon sheath
.
I kind of know what this means but not fully. I have alot of pain in shoulder and neck, shoulder is very sore and my underarm is sore and tender. it hurts most when walking/reaching. Also, my elbow started cracking with much pain and my forearm is really tight, my fingers constantly feel jammed and there is pain/weakness in wrist. Also, my shoulder has been cracking.

My question is, I see a my neuro surgeon for a follow up soon but I called the office and they said he does not deal with shoulders. Then, the week after I see my doctor. What kind of treatment should I expect for these injuries and might I need to see another specialist? Also, may I need more physical therapy my prescription is currently up for it and i have completed the suggested course of therapy yet am still in much pain.

Any info/suggestion you may have will be appreciated.

Thank You

You did not mention what you are doing in physical therapy, but it sounds like the treatment has focused on the neck. I am guessing that more needs to be addressed for the shoulder.

In impingement syndrome, something gets "pinched" which causes pain and inflammtion. It can occur due to poor muscular function or muscles that stabilize the scapula, tightness of the capsule surrounding the joint, poor posture, a bone spur on the underside of the acromian, or anatomic abnormality of the acromian. It sounds like you at least have the latter. Whether you have other factors contributing to the problem, your physical therapist should be able to tell you. Muscular function and capsular tightness can be addressed by strengthening and stretching. Posture correction is imperitive in ALL cases of shoulder impingment. The other things I have mentioned cannot be cured by physical therapy, but may be able to be addressed by using modalities to decrease inflammation…education is also important to avoid movements that impinge the shoulder.

The neurosurgeon could give you further treatment suggestions for the neck, but an orthopedic surgeon would need to be seen for the shoulder. Although, based on what you have said about your MRI, the first inclination would probably be to continue PT…maybe a cortisone injection.

Physical Therapy and Athletic Training

DoctorG — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:14:11 +0000

<p>Physical Therapy and Athletic Training at Saint Louis University Doisy College of Health Sciences

Duration : 0:3:4

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