What should I expect on my first visit?
- If you have not previously filled out the required paper work, we suggest that you arrive 10-20 minutes prior to the time of your appointment.
- Your Physical Therapist will personally escort you into the PT gym for your evaluation.
- A comprehensive evaluation and assessment will be completed in approximately 1 hour.
- A home exercise program instruction and frequency for PT visit will be established.
- Please come prepared, wearing either your gym clothes or something comfortable and easy to move in. If you are coming from work, you can change here.
How often should I attend?
Most prescriptions and treatment schedules are for 2-3 visits per week, however, will vary based on your condition and best treatment approach for optimal results.
How long are the therapy sessions?
Physical Therapy sessions typically last an hour. Treatment plans usually are from 6-12 weeks with periodic progress notes and follow-up visits with your physician.
Will I always see the same therapist?
At AOKC, we work as a team. A physical therapy will perform your evaluation and development an individualized program specific to your needs and goals. During your episode of care, you will also work with physical therapist assistants which will refer to that plan and relay any of your concerns to the physical therapist.
After surgery, when can I expect my joint (i.e. knee, shoulder) to feel better?
Typically your joint will start feeling a lot better around the 2-3 month mark, but won’t feel normal for about a year.
Should I be icing?
After surgery you should be icing 3-5 times per day for 15-20 minutes at a time with direct skin contact. If you’re wearing an ace bandage, you can ice 30 minutes on/30 minutes off. You should continue icing as long as you have swelling or pain.
Can I do PT on my own?
We will give you a Home Exercise Program (HEP) that you should be doing on days that you don’t have a PT appointment. This will improve the speed of your recovery and improve your outcomes. The HEP is to supplement your appointments; it is not a replacement to your Physical Therapy. Your therapist can assess when it is appropriate to progress and regress you based on your clinical presentation. Our therapy team will also perform treatments that cannot be replicated at home on your own.