WWH&FD? PT-related

[Deleted]

I have an issue and I'm not sure what to do, and I'm extremely frustrated.  I started PT June 10.  I went 2x a week for the first 6 weeks and then went 1x a week and I'm STILL going.  I have a ton of exercises and stuff for the ITB which I'm extremely thankful for but what irks me is I decided to let him do the gait analysis instead of heading to the main location which would be a "one and done" thing.  I thought doing the gait analysis with him would be the same "one and done" thing but it has turned into him trying to fix all my issues which really only amount to not having full hip extension because I'm a lazy runner and don't like engaging my core.  He gave me exercises to do to strengthen my core which I can do just fine but I was talking while doing them last week and ended up with poor form that another PT noticed so she told him I should show up for another 2 weeks before doing another gait analysis.  WTF.  In the meantime, he has issued another "no running" ban of which my ART guy has no idea why and at this point neither do I.  He stuck me back on the elliptical last week with no explanation and just had me do my exercises.  I can do those at home for free!

My main issue is I keep asking him for a game plan for wrapping up and I'm getting nowhere with him.  I had to drag the gait analysis results out of him because he didn't want to throw too many things at me at once.  Now, with literally taking a "step back" as he called it from running to fix the "weak" stuff, I'm really losing patience.  I can only imagine what happens when I'm "allowed" to run and how much longer I'm in there for him to make sure I'm doing it right.  I have to pay $40 every time I go and its adding up and I really feel like he prefers to keep me in the dark while dragging things out since he's never straightforward about anything.  It probably doesn't help I have definitely picked up a negative connotation towards "runners" through the last weeks in various comments he has made which just annoys the crap out of me. 

Any suggestions?  I am supposed to go tonight but I'm in a mood and really want to cancel and not go back. 

[sadlebred]

I'd get a new PT. They should have a plan to get you out of PT. At least my expectation with PT is that you could be there for a few months depending on the problem (ie an IT band injury isn't the same as say someone losing a limb and going to PT. The IT band injury may need a month/two months/? while the lost limb may need PT for a year or more/?). At some point, they need to formulate a plan to end PT.

[ebeth]

DTMFA

[clseale]

Whether his concerns are valid or not, you need to be comfortable with your doctor, and you need to be confident in the care you're being given. The two times I have been sidelined due to injury (1st time I was w/a PT, 2nd time with a sport's chiro), I was given a game plan, as well as goals to hit along the way. We reassessed constantly, and both times, I always felt very confident in the fact that their goal was to get me healthy, painfree, and back out there running again soon as possible.

[emilyj]

I would absolutely get a new PT. Mine asked me what my ultimate goals are, and he laid out a very specific plan, goals I should be hitting, and where I could expect to see progress and when. No medical professional - ever - should be keeping you in the dark.

[Deleted]

Thanks, guys. I decided to drop him. I have my ART guy as backup and I like him a lot more.

To some of the above posts: I've never been given anything concrete from him. I can't fault him for rehab on my ITB. My ART guy said it sounds like this guy is one of the good guys in that regards but even he has no idea why my PT won't let me run. I passed my ITB test 4 weeks ago and my ART guy released me completely last week because he sees no need to work on my ITB because it's doing so well. I really have no idea what is going on anymore and why he keeps dragging this out. No matter how much I have asked I get nothing from him.

[hannahb]

There is no reason, if you are pain free and able to do your core exercises independently that you need to keep going to see him. Actually your core stability is something he should have look at in the beginning since that plays a huge factor in ITB tendinitis. I would go see the ART guy and keep doing the home program on your own. Can the ART guy give you a return to running program?

[Deleted]

Aug 6, 2013 13:53:48 GMT -5 hannahb said:

There is no reason, if you are pain free and able to do your core exercises independently that you need to keep going to see him. Actually your core stability is something he should have look at in the beginning since that plays a huge factor in ITB tendinitis. I would go see the ART guy and keep doing the home program on your own. Can the ART guy give you a return to running program?

Yep, he can.

[brooke77]

Ditto PP's. I would suggest seeing another PT for evaluation. I completed therapy for ITBS a few months ago. Everyone is different, but I went in for an initial evaluation and was given exercises to do at home (hip/core). I had weekly manual (graston, heat, ice, etc) therapy for 9 or 10 weeks and a final evaluation. I communicated with my therapist throughout on pain levels, progress, goals, and game plan for ending therapy - this communication seems to be missing with your current PT.