Why Surgery Doesn’t Have to Be Your Only Option
Do you suffer from a painful orthopedic condition such as spinal stenosis or osteoarthritis? Many think surgical intervention is the only way they’ll ever find relief. However, you have another option: physical therapy at Infinity Physical Therapy!
There’s no denying that surgery is a significant decision–and one that brings with it several risks, including blood clots, infections, and more. That’s why most doctors will encourage you to consider your options before booking a surgeon. For orthopedic concerns, that means looking to physical therapy.
In fact, physical therapy is actually a frontline treatment for several musculoskeletal conditions, from arthritis to ligament injuries, meaning you absolutely should try it first! Regular physical therapy treatments can help delay your surgery–and, in some cases, avoid it altogether.
If you feel you may be on the path to needing surgery, don’t hesitate to give our team a call. We’ll provide specific information about how our physical therapists can help you avoid or delay surgery.
Staff Spotlight
Nick graduated from YSU in 2018 with his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology and Sports Science prior to continuing his academic journey with YSU while receiving his Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
Conditions That Respond Well to Physical Therapy
People opt for surgery to reduce pain and improve their functionality and mobility. The good news is that physical therapy can do exactly that for several different musculoskeletal conditions, including the following:
- Osteoarthritis: People with severe osteoarthritis often resort to total joint replacements to address their symptoms. But if you can begin physical therapy early on, you can slow the condition’s progression.
- Partial Ligament Tears: While a full ligament tear typically requires surgical intervention, less severe ligament injuries respond well to physical therapy.
- Spinal Stenosis: This condition causes a painful narrowing in the spinal column, but you can manage your pain and mobility restrictions with gentle, targeted exercise.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: A common side effect of aging, physical therapy is more beneficial for treating DDD than surgery in most cases.
- Herniated Discs: This is another condition that physical therapy can generally resolve more easily than surgery.
Our Patients Get Great Results
“I wasn’t sure if PT was going to work. I went in for sciatica. I also had issues from a bad back, knee & a not quite healed dislocated shoulder. They helped me with all of that. I’m also doing the things I need to do at home. Kristina has been the therapist that I worked with the most over this past month. What a kind & caring person. Upbeat & positive every time. I feel better & stronger than when I first went in. Feels good.”
– Terri L.
Physical Therapy vs. Surgery: Here’s What We Can Offer
The exact details of your physical therapy treatment will vary based on several factors, including the condition or injury, your current health status, and your overall goals. Our team will work closely with you to develop a customized plan that meets your needs. Generally speaking, we’ll begin with an extensive evaluation to help us get to the root of your discomfort. From there, we’ll pull from several different techniques to help you manage pain, eliminate restrictions in your range of motion, and improve your overall function.
Ultimately, our goal is the same as any orthopedic surgery: to help you live a rich, active lifestyle, free from pain and immobility. However, we can do it with a few extra benefits:
Lower Costs:
- Surgeries are far more expensive than physical therapy. Comparisons in prices estimate that surgery costs at least $2 per year for every $1 spent on physical therapy.
Less Time:
- Surgery is a highly invasive procedure that requires lengthy rehabilitation. Healing alone typically takes several weeks, and it can take up to a year before you’ve fully rehabilitated–during which time you’ll be doing extensive physical therapy anyway. Why not skip the extra step?
Decreased Risks:
- Surgery brings a host of medical risks, from blood clots to dependency on painkillers. Because physical therapy is non-invasive, the risk is minimal (especially compared to surgery). It also offers drug-free pain relief options.
That said, seeking physical therapy treatment sooner rather than later is essential–this is especially true for degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. It’s also essential you keep active outside of our clinic. Many of these conditions benefit from regular movement, so you’ll want to find an exercise program that suits your needs (something our therapists can help you with.)
And if you do wind up needing surgery down the road, you’ll already be prepared for your rehabilitation after the procedure!
Skip The Knife; Try Physical Therapy Instead
If you have a painful musculoskeletal condition, don’t resort to surgery – visit Infinity Physical Therapy first to find out if physical therapy might be a better solution for you. Call us today to get started.
Instant Pot Barbecue Chicken Sliders
Ingredients:
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 ½pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6 thighs)
- 1 package Hawaiian rolls
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 head green cabbage (about 6 cups), shredded
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
Directions:
- In the bowl of an Instant Pot, combine the barbecue sauce, water, vinegar, soy sauce and smoked paprika. Add the chicken thighs, mixing to coat thoroughly.
- Set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 20 minutes, followed by a quick release of the sealing valve.
- Meanwhile, make the slaw: in a large bowl, add the white vinegar, honey and salt. Whisk to combine until the honey and salt have dissolved. Add the shredded cabbage and onions to the bowl and toss to combine.
- After the pressure has released, transfer the chicken to a medium bowl. Turn the Instant Pot to the sauté function on low and reduce the barbecue sauce until thick, about 10 minutes. Shred the chicken with the tines of a fork. Place the shredded chicken in the pot and toss with the sauce.
- Assemble the sandwiches on the slider buns with pulled chicken and slaw.
