Physio?

[peterm15]

Any physiotherapists in the GTA on the forum.

I'm really starting to realize that I should take my doctors advice and have some lessons on exercises I can do at home for my knees and back.
My knees are just messed and have been for probably 15 years. ( I'm only 27, actually soon to be 27) and my back is progressively getting worse. ( hospitalized 3 times for my back, seen probably 10 doctors for my knees. )

If it matters, I have been tested for rheumatoid arthritis and came up negative. although I do have arthritis in the hands. My knees have been getting better ( but WAY far from normal) and my back is in constant pain. I know I need to strengthen my core for my back but was told to NOT exercise my back/core until I feel little to no pain in my back for 2 weeks. Been about 1 year and im still waiting.

It's just getting worse and worse. Really how many people do you guys know that bought their first cane ( for actual use ) at 20, and have had to use it at least 3+ times a year. For both my knees and my back. ( yes a cane makes a back feel a little better. )

If anyone is one. Or related to one. Or knows a good one that is first of all willing to teach and not force into coming weekly, secondary is not a ridiculous cost. Please let me know.

Pm is probably best, but email will work as well.

Peterm15&hotmail.com

Thanks.
Pete.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Where are you located? I've got a buddy, he's a chiropractor but he does some physio stuff and he is active himself so he understands how an athlete might think vs say a dr who will say just don't do anything that hurts it for 6 months

[Mr Wilson]

Trying to remember his screen name, had a Gen II blue hatch and then swicthed to a CWP MS3.......

Believe he helped out Celestspeed3 with his back.

[peterm15]

Thanks guys.
I'm actually north of the gta. Halfway between Toronto and Barrie up the 400.
But for decent help and a decent price ( no insurance ) in willing to travel.

I got a pm so once I have some time I will respond to that. So it is possible the person mr Wilson suggested may already be in contact with me.

Thanks again

[Lockdown]

I go to the physio clinic at MSH, its covered by OHIP but there is a long waiting list because of that.
If you check them out, see if you can speak with Mary, she's awesome and has been very accommodating with her time and my schedule. I've been seeing her on and off for 6 years now. 3 knee surgeries so far and it looks like I may need a 4th.

For your knees, get on a bike and strengthen your quads ASAP.
Also do whatever you can to avoid surgery

[peterm15]

I go to the physio clinic at MSH, its covered by OHIP but there is a long waiting list because of that.
If you check them out, see if you can speak with Mary, she's awesome and has been very accommodating with her time and my schedule. I've been seeing her on and off for 6 years now. 3 knee surgeries so far and it looks like I may need a 4th.

For your knees, get on a bike and strengthen your quads ASAP.
Also do whatever you can to avoid surgery

Thanks.

The problem with a bike is I can't bend that way. The constant bending causes more problems then good. I've been avoiding surgery for 10 years and plan to as long as possible. I won't even be scoped. It's a Cartalage problem as well as muscular and water. At one time ( although strengthened to a better point now) my knee cap was moveable to the back of my knee. Unfortunately I've had to give up all my sports due to it.

The wait doesn't bother me as I've waited long enough without doing it. So I will check them out for sure.

Do you need to be referred?

[Lockdown]

Yes, you will need a referral from your GP.
They should have no issue with that as your doc has been treating you with this problem for years now.

[peterm15]

I've only been to my new guy a few times for these problems. My last Gp took off with my files so no record. Although as long as I say I DONT want meds, he'll do it. He has suggested it to me, but never told me about ohip covered. At one time he actually thought I was addicted to pain killers until I told him to read the date on my perk prescription. 2 years filled and never took one. It doesn't work anyways. Now a demoral shot in the ass. That's where it's at. You feel NOTHING after that.

I'll bring him this info soon to see what he has to say. Hopefully he's on board or I'll have to get the gfs boss to write one up. He doesn't like referring people without a ton of tests.

I wouldn't need a specialist referral tough? I sure hope not. I hate waiting 6 months to see a guy for my knees.

[Lockdown]

Good job. Stay off the meds. I know a couple of people who just couldn't get off of them and both eventually ended up passing away. One had a heart attack from an OD and the other took her own life. They not only screw with you mentally but physically and through your digestive system.

Now I'm not 100% on what is covered. I had my first surgery at MSH and went to physio there afterwards. It took two surgeries to correct what was done during the first and multiplle scopes. Scopes are cool, as long as I'm out less than 4 hours, I can walk out of the hospital same day.

Most insurance plans will only cover so much physio and you will eat that up in a month or two.
Get a good physiotherapist, explain your situation get some ROM tests done, X-rays and an MRI.

If you can't ride a bike, you are going to have a very difficult time building the muscle in your quads as it has probably atrophied significantly.

Get on an elliptical and if you can afford it, buy one. 30-40 mins a day and you will see an improvement.

If its just a tear in your cartilage, they can take that out. I've had mine removed for quite some time and it's a little more pain than I would like at the end of a day on my feet, it's completely livable.

Your back pain could be due to your knee(s). When you have joint problems, you compensate with other parts of your body and may be walking slightly different, which will slowly give you pain elsewhere , in your case, your back. It can affect your entire alignment.
The longer it goes untreated, the longer the recovery perils and if you aren't proactive and really work at it, it may never go away.

My knee was so bad, I was told I may not walk without a full knee replacement and I would need that redone every 5 years. I'm a year from my last surgery and haven't run a marathon or gone snowboarding yet but both are I'm the cards eventually. I will try snowboarding this year with a brace.

[Lockdown]

If your doctor(s) physiotherapist(s) aren't treating you for your conditions to your liking, find someone else and take it in your own hands. They have 100s if not 1000s of patients to treat. Also your arthritis can be treated, and I can't emphasize it enough, that the longer you leave it, the longer the recovery.

(905) 472-7040 is the number for Markham rehab services at MSH. I dealt with Mary there, she will remember me (Mark).
If you're not OHIP eligible and your insurance runs out its roughly $1/min, $30/30mins so maximize your time by doing there what you can't do at home.

If you need any info, let me know and I'll try my best.

[peterm15]

Thank you. Very much

[Lockdown]

No problem. From personal experience and a lot of reading, I have educated myself on this topic quite a bit but it's always best to do your own research. Any info that you can't find, feel free to ask me.

[peterm15]

No problem. From personal experience and a lot of reading, I have educated myself on this topic quite a bit but it's always best to do your own research. Any info that you can't find, feel free to ask me.

Thanks.

I've done some reading as well. But apparently not enough.

I really just need to get into shape but I spend so much time with pain and injury that if I try it will make it worse.
My doctors been really helpful with pressuring physio and giving advice it's just been the affordability. I'm just glad he's not a pill pusher. I probably should go see him more but I really do not like doctors.

I've popped out both knees a few times. And to be honest they are probably in better shape then ever. Especially my left, driving a stick has helped a lot. But it's still the nagging soreness that kills me, and the cracking when I walk.

As for my back. That's another ball game. I don't know WTF happened there.

Either way. That you again. You've been a lot of help.

[joedemarco]

Try looking for an athletic therapist. Being an athlete and I'm sure wanting to stay active, an aortic therapist will treat with physical activity as opposed to just rehab. I highly recommend visiting one. You can get very cheap but high quality treat,ent from the clinic at Sheridan College in Brampton. It's $15 per visit as opposed to the $45. You will be treated by Athletic Therapy students supervised by our professors.

Give it a thought, there's more to rehab and therapy than physiotherapists. Different treating methods will have different affects.

Thought I'd give you another perspective. Goodluck

[MarkWB]

When you do go into physio, ask about exercises that work to increase bloodflow to the joint but are low impact, low pressure exercises. Usually underwater therapies or "bouncy ball" stretches/rotations help. I was struck by a car on a bike when I was 16, kneecap was twisted out of place, muscular/water issues like you mentioned, and after following through with a year of physio (twice a week) on these types of exercises I was able to play basketball and run again without being in pain. Any OHIP funded clinic will have this type of equipment (but maybe not a pool, however they'll provide you with instructions on the water exercises). Good luck!

[joedemarco]

Any good therapist should easily have you back into your sport within a year. Assuming it is a reasonable injury, once met a man who had his leg run over by a bulldozer...3 yrs/5days/week he was in the clinic being treated...something like sore knees +back are likely caused by some kind if weakness that is making our body overcompensate, should be 5 treatments at most before your 100% the its just regular maintenance.

Shoot me a pm if you have any questions on athletic therapy

[peterm15]

Thanks a lot everyone. You have given me a ton to mull over.
I'll keep you all updated. Just waiting to see the doc for a referral now so we will see.