3 Free Screens With Unexpected Endings Just OneModerate Risk Factor
Avoiding A Wait-Time Black Hole A55-yearold legalsecretaryhadbeendealingwith left shoulder pain for over a year. She had seen an orthopedic surgeon who diagnosed her with adhesivecapsulitis (frozenshoulder),andshehad made an appointment to see another specialist but could not get in for another month. She was desperate for reliefandhopeda freescreencould give her guidance. Within 15 minutes, objective testing found a low likelihood of adhesive capsulitis - she had a full but painful range of motion and positive testing forexternalshoulder impingement.Her treatment started the next day. A study performed by Merritt Hawkins found the average wait time for appointments with physicians can range from 18-24 days in most major cities. Within 6 treatment sessions over 3 weeks, this patient was discharged with no pain and fully restored function. The time it took her to recover from her injury with physical therapy was less than the time it would have taken her to see the orthopedic specialist. Additionally, the cost to see another orthopedic specialist, includingexaminationandx-rays,would haveexceeded thefullcostofherphysical therapy evaluation and treatment. Without the option for her to see a physical therapist immediately, she may have spent more time in pain and more unnecessary health care dollars.
® Have All The Right Connections A 22-year-old runner and had just moved from Florida and not had a physical for over 5 years. She had left hip pain with running, walking and sometimes standing. Objective evaluation reproduced her hip pain during the hop test but special tests for labral pathology were negative. “20% of all injuries treated in sports medicine clinics” are stress fractures, and “the failure to identify and properly manage stress fractures can lead to complications such as progression to complete fracture, malunion or nonunion, chronicpain,prolongedrecovery,and/ordisability” according to an article by Chen, Tenforde and Fredericson.Theauthorsof thestudyrecommend that females diagnosed with stress fractures should be thoroughly evaluated for metabolic disorders, thyroid dysfunction, and eating disorders. Suspectedofhavingafemoralneckstressfracture, the patient was referred to one of our favorite primary care physicians who were able to see herwithin3days.Upon follow-upwith thepatient, she reported that after an x-ray confirmed the stress fracture, she was placed on Vitamin D supplements and would wait 6-8 weeks before returningto impactactivities.Later,shereturnedto physical therapyonaself-paybasis toassistwith strengthening and starting a return to a running program. In this case, the patient used physical therapy as an avenue into the often messy medical system to get the care she needed. Don’t delay! Schedule your Free Screen on our websiteorbyemail info@bodygears.com today!
Just One Moderate Risk Factor A 28-year-old female enters the clinic with complaintsof leftcalfpainofsuddenonset.She’s an active individual, exercising 4-5 times a week, and walks daily to work. She has nothing significant in her medical history and is only taking oral contraceptives as medication. She drinks socially and does not smoke. Upon inspection, her left calf is red and sore to the touch. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has published an Evidence-Based Clinical PracticeGuideline,stating “nomatter thepractice setting,physical therapistsworkwithpatientswho are at risk or have a history of VTE.” The article states that “Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein that can lead to complications…with an incidence of 10% to 30% of people dying within 1 month of diagnosis,andhalfof thosediagnosedwithaVTE have long-term complications.” AccordingtoAPTA’sClinicalPracticeGuideline,the patientonlyhadonemoderate risk factor forVTE. Nonetheless, with obvious signs and symptoms and no mechanism of injury, she was referred to Immediate Care. Upon follow-up the next day, it was confirmed through ultrasound diagnostic testing that a VTE waspresent,andshewasplacedonanticoagulant medication.Thispatientsoughtmedicalassistance forherproblemviatheeasiestandmostaccessible avenue -physical therapy -and itpotentiallysaved her life.
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