Any Physiotherapists on Here?

[Pickled Piper]

I would be grateful for some informed input. I've been referred for physio after a scan of my knee. It's been creaky for a while but with no pain. Following a MRI scan I was told the tracking was slightly out. I had the first Physio session today and was assessed and given some exercises. Physio also booked me in for an assessment on a Cybex machine to measure my muscle strngth. I've never heard of this before and am none the wiser after Googling. Can anyone tell me what I am in for?

Thanks in advance.

pp

[Digger]

Had knee issues in the past myself and I think was put on a cybex machine along time ago. Not an expert but one test they may carry out is to measure and compare the strength of your good leg in comparison with your other leg (affected knee) for various exercises whether it be leg-extension movement at various angles as well as hamstring contractions. They then may discover any inherent weakness in the knee-affected leg which would give an indication as to how much muscle wastage has occurred and therefore how much work has to be done to reduce the muscle-imbalance of both legs, and the type of exercices you would need to work on to improve strength etc. This will create a baseline from which to compare later during your treatment? I think.

One sign of a weaker leg is that for any given leg-specific exercise the weaker leg's muscles will fatigue quicker than the stronger leg, and will start to shake as it is no longer stable and fully in control of the movement required for that particular exercise.

Sorry a bit wordy and I may be entirely wrong!

Edited to add that patella tracking and muscle-imbalance are often related.

Edited by Digger on Wednesday 7th October 17:24

[Slagathore]

Slightly off topic.

How do you get a scan and a referral to a physio? Do you just go to the doctors and complain? my left knee hasn't felt 100% for a while now. It's OK to work with and run on, but I can feel there is something not completely right.

I figured going to the doctors would just result in him saying come back when you can't walk and he'll then refer me?

[Digger]

If it's been frustrating you for several months I would go to GP and ham it up a bit stressing it is REALLY affecting your quality of life etc etc. That will be the only way GP would refer you for treatment. It is highly unlikely you will be sent for scans, possibly an xray but doubt that would be detailed enough to show up any underlying problems.

Hopefully your GP might be able to diagnose the problem from what you tell him, such as whether you remember when and how it was first injured, location of any swelling etc etc. If he feels it worth further investigation he will either refer you for physio or preferably to a specialist consultant at the local hospital. If you are at all sporty this would be the preferred option. In my experience it would be at this stage the decision might be made to refer you for an MRI scan should current treatment and diagnosis be ineffective or inaccurate.

[Pickled Piper]

It's down to private health insurance. I visited GP told her "knee is not quite right, I have private health insurance please refer me". GP pretended to examine my knee and duly referred me to a Consultant. Consultant examined the knee, said you need a MRI scan. Had scan, lots of interesting pictures. Consultant reviewed these and pronounced" you will be fine with some physiotherapy".

Not meaning to sound smug but I'm really not sure what the sequence would be on the NHS. I'm sure others on here can advise how to get the best treatment. Perhaps pay a physio privately.

pp

[Digger]

If it's simply a case of tracking and muscle imbalance then any half decent physio will be able to provide you with the expertise, instruction, and physio to aid your recovery. If you are that worried maybe post on the kneeguru forums

Edited by Digger on Thursday 8th October 10:32

[Mojooo]

If your GP won;t refer you for an MRI scan then pay a private physio who will write you a letter to give to the GP who will then refer you on

Had to do this once for an ACL tear and have a feelinging I am going to have to do it again with a meniscus tear.

[996 sps]

Pickled Piper said:

I would be grateful for some informed input. I've been referred for physio after a scan of my knee. It's been creaky for a while but with no pain. Following a MRI scan I was told the tracking was slightly out. I had the first Physio session today and was assessed and given some exercises. Physio also booked me in for an assessment on a Cybex machine to measure my muscle strngth. I've never heard of this before and am none the wiser after Googling. Can anyone tell me what I am in for?

Thanks in advance.

pp

Bloody hell how much is that costing you? I've been working with amputee's and still measure their muscular strength by using the oxford scale (just feeling it).

Edited by 996 sps on Thursday 8th October 22:58

[Bill]

996 sps said:

Bloody hell how much is that costing you? I've been working with amputee's and still measure their muscular strength by using the oxford scale (just feeling it).

Private health cover. No where I've worked has used one, although they did have one at uni.

It's basically a machine they strap you to to measure your quads strength and stamina.

As far as physio on the NHS goes, your GP needs to refer you so go in and ask.

[Slagathore]

Ahh

I might just tell the doctor it is affecting my work, or something similar.

Should have gone when I actually hurt it the first time, but I didn't wanna take time off work, but then that also meant that I couldn't rest it, which probably made things worse.

Cheers for the help! And good luck with your problem, Pickled Piper!

[Pickled Piper]

Yes, had the assessment and it is as someone described, a means of measuring your muscle effectiveness in straightening and bending your leg. Apparently there are standard ratios for muscle strength for both actions and between left and right. My ham strings are too effective on the left for some reason. Results will go to my main Physio who will work out some treatment.

pp