If you suffer from osteoarthritis or meniscal tears, chances are your doctor has talked to you about the possibility of surgery. However, before you expose yourself to the expense and possible risks of going under the knife, we would like to suggest an alternative: physical therapy.
The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) released a study that found that there were no significant differences in functional improvement after 6 months between patients who underwent surgery and physical therapy and those who had just physical therapy alone.
This study good news for you! If you’ve had an athletic injury or find your movements limited by osteoarthritis, you can cut out a major step in the healing process. At Horizon Rehab, we can offer you individualized treatment plans that focus on functional outcomes. It’s this personal focus that Mary Ann Wilmarth, former chief of physical therapy at Harvard University, says is key in treating these two conditions.
“The individualized treatment approach is very important in the early phases of rehabilitation in order to achieve desired functional outcomes and avoid setbacks or complications,” she said in an article on the American Physical Therapy Association website.
A torn meniscus is a common knee injury that’s caused from twisting or turning too quickly, usually while the foot is planted and the knee is bent. Think of a basketball player who’s turning away from their opponent to get the ball in the basket.
Osteoarthritis is a condition where the protective cartilage on your bones wears down over time. It’s usually associated with advanced age. It can impact any joint in the body, although it usually occurs in the hands, knees, hips and spine.
We treat both conditions at Horizon Rehab. Contact us today to set up an appointment and begin your journey of better health, less pain and increased mobility.