Save money with physical therapy.

Reference: Image and information used for this blog can be found here: https://www.valueofpt.com/ 

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Physical therapy can be a cost-effective way to manage a range of conditions, with proven results that include improving quality of life through patient education, hands-on care, and prescribed exercise.

Physical therapy is highly effective in treating musculoskeletal conditions, which impact over 127 million Americans and contribute to $213 billion in medical expenditures, lost wages, and decreased productivity annually.

In the report “The Economic Value of Physical Therapy in the United States,” the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) investigated the application of physical therapy across several health conditions to assess the costs and benefits of physical therapist services compared with alternative courses of care.

The report examined the available scientific research on the care delivered for a range of conditions. An economic analysis was performed for each condition, comparing physical therapist services to an alternative treatment based on the costs associated with providing care and the benefits produced for the U.S. health care system.

Included in the report were the following musculoskeletal conditions commonly faced by industrial & tactical workforces:

Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative and progressive joint disease affecting more than 32 million Americans. Knee osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, and its prevalence has doubled in the last 70 years.

Using a scientific study that examined the cost-effectiveness of physical therapy compared with injections for knee osteoarthritis, the report demonstrates that choosing physical therapy over steroid injections to treat osteoarthritis of the knee saves $13,981, including the dollars paid for the services as well as hidden costs of the patient’s time, pain, and missed work and life events.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) affects 50 out of every 1,000 individuals in the United States. CTS is commonly identified as an occupational hazard, as people at the highest risk have occupations that require forceful and often repetitive hand movements, such as office administrative staff and production workers.

Using a scientific study that examined the cost-effectiveness of physical therapy compared with surgery for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, the report demonstrates that choosing physical therapy over surgery to treat carpal tunnel syndrome saves $39,533.

To learn more about how conservative treatments for CTS read: Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by Dr. Ron Lawrence at our Shawano clinic

Low Back Pain

Back pain is a leading musculoskeletal disorder with a high occurrence, costly treatment, and a significant effect on a person’s quality of life. Back pain is the leading cause of work-loss days and work limitations and can result in patients seeking emergency care.

Using a scientific study that examined the cost-effectiveness of physical therapy compared with the usual primary care management for acute low back pain, the report demonstrates that choosing physical therapy early, over typical management of acute low back pain, saves $4,160.

To learn more about how conservative treatments for Lower Back Pain read: Essentail Exercises to Prevent Low back Pain by Joe Hanel from our Industrial Medicine team.

Vascular Claudication

Claudication is a condition that causes pain in the thigh, calf, or buttocks when walking due to restricted blood flow. Vascular claudication is typically the result of peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, caused primarily by plaque build-up in the arteries that restrict proper blood flow to the lower limbs.

Using a scientific study that examined the cost-effectiveness of physical therapy-monitored exercise (walking and treadmill training) combined with “optimal medical care” (a risk factor management method as suggested by guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association) compared with “optimal medical care” alone, the report demonstrates that choosing physical therapy over alternatives to treat claudication saves $24,125.

Tennis Elbow

Lateral epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow, is an overuse injury caused by an eccentric overload of a muscle in the forearm. Despite its name, tennis players make up only 10% of the tennis elbow patient population; as many as 15% of workers in highly repetitive jobs report having tennis elbow.

Using a scientific study that examined the cost-effectiveness of physical therapy and/or corticosteroid injection for tennis elbow compared with a placebo injection, the report demonstrates that choosing physical therapy over alternatives to treat tennis elbow saves $10,739.

To learn more about how conservative treatments for Tennis Elbow read: Tips and Tricks for preventing and Managing Elbow Tendonitis by Megan Werner from our Sports Medicine team.

Falls Prevention

Falls are a major injury risk and are closely associated with an increased incidence of fractures, such as hip and wrist fractures.

Using a scientific study that focused on the cost-effectiveness of physical therapy-based falls-prevention exercise versus no intervention to compare the isolated impact of exercise treatment on preventing falls and reducing future costs associated with common fractures, the report demonstrates that choosing physical therapy-based falls-prevention exercise saves $2,144 in future expenses related to common fractures due to falls.

Learn more about Advanced’s premier balance and fall’s prevention program.

You should consider attending physical therapy first when it comes to everyday aches, pains, sprains, and strains. Look at all the money you could save!

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Contact us to schedule your initial evaluation or free injury screen today!

Osteoarthritis of the Thumb CMC Joint

Written by: Tammy Vanevenhoven PT, DPT, CHT

As the season of fall hovers over us and the leaves begin to fall, the temperatures outside continue to fall as well. For those who suffer from arthritic hands stiffness and pain, it can quickly be felt by the changes in the temperature. Osteoarthritis is the most common of all joint diseases. It often affects the larger weight-bearing joints of the hips and knees, but it also commonly affects the smaller joints of the hands; especially the base of the thumb called the CMC joint (carpometacarpal joint). The CMC joint of the thumb is considered a saddle joint that allows the thumb its vast ability to grasp objects of various shapes and sizes, to open doors, jars, and packages, etc. It also allows pinching-- a more precision type movement for writing, buttoning, using scissors, picking up small objects or turning a key. We need our thumbs as they contribute to 60% of our hand function.

Signs and Symptoms of CMC joint arthritis are:

*pain at the base of the thumb after activity

*pain with active movement of the thumb especially with pinch

*morning stiffness

*joint tenderness to palpation

*crepitus (crunching noise in the joint) with thumb movement

*joint deformity with bony nodules felt at base of thumb

*weakness of hand grip (opening a jar, sealed packages, etc.) or with pinch (writing, buttoning, turning a key, etc.)

How is CMC joint arthritis diagnosed?

Usually a standard radiographic x-ray will show joint space narrowing, bony changes such as spur formation, and joint erosion. Based on the x-ray, the arthritic changes are usually classified as mild, moderate, or severe joint destruction.

What can be done non- surgically to help the painful arthritic thumb?

A certified hand therapist (CHT) or an occupational therapist can be of great help in alleviating pain in the arthritic thumb by fabricating a thumb spica splint that stabilizes the base of the thumb while still allowing use of the thumb tip for light pinch and grip activities. Stiffness can be reduced by using a paraffin bath that is composed of paraffin wax and mineral oil which is then melted to a therapeutic warm temperature which molds around the bony prominences of the hand to help soothe pain and improve movement of the joint. Your hand therapist will also educate you on joint protection by recommending built up handles on objects that are difficult to grip such as tools, scissors, writing and eating utensils. Key adapters can also be placed on your keys to allow ease with key pinch. An electric can opener can also be used to avoid stressing the arthritic thumb with a manual can opener. Protecting the hands from the cold weather is very important. Wearing mittens and using warming packs if you like to be outdoors will help keep your hands from getting stiff and painful while you cross country ski, ice fish or while taking a winter hike.

What does the surgery for CMC joint replacement entail?

CMC joint arthroplasty is the most common joint replacement of the arthritic hand. The beak ligament reconstruction, or the LRTI, is the most common surgical procedure performed. The hand has, thankfully, many muscles that perform the same function. They are called “spare parts.” The eroded CMC joint is removed and one of these extra tendons of the hand/wrist is sacrificed and bundled up to fill in the joint space at the base of the thumb. Patients are placed in a cast and often external pins are inserted for extra immobilization.  At four weeks the cast and pins are removed, and the patients are placed in a forearm-based thumb spica splint and sent to therapy to see a certified hand therapist or an occupational therapist that specializes in treatment of the hand. Therapy includes gentle progressive range of motion to restore normal movement of the thumb, fingers and concurrent wrist; which becomes stiff from being in the cast. Swelling control and pain management are treated by working on scar mobility to avoid tendon adherence. Hypersensitivity often occurs from the surgeons having to retract the superficial radial nerve to perform the operation. Therapists can ease this sensitivity by performing desensitization exercises to calm the nerve pain. Restoring functional hand strength while appreciating joint protection and education of patients for life-long care for the arthritic thumb are just some of the various ways your hand therapist can help.

If you would like more information in treating your arthritic hands you can call Advanced Physical Therapy and ask to speak to a certified hand therapist or occupational therapist that can assist you in answering your questions. APTSM New London phone: (920)982-0100.