We hear it all the time… “My doctor said physical therapy won’t help. He gave me an injection. “
But is this the right answer? Researchers found that between 2007 and 2015, orthopedic surgeons prescribed more opioids and made fewer physical therapy referrals for patients with osteoarthritis.
Yet, a study released last month showed that patients with physical therapy had less pain and functional disability one year later than patients who just had an injection.
Doctors often manage symptoms with corticosteroids or opioid medications. These WILL probably help for the short term. But do not address the muscle imbalances, and the movement issues that led to your arthritis in the first place.
While it might seem easier to get an injection and feel better in a couple days, that injection will wear off and the pain will likely return because you’ve done nothing to change the mechanics at your knee joint.
you can choose to avoid the injection, and meet with your physical therapist to discuss how you can improve the muscle imbalances and mechanics at the knee joint.
So if your goal is to stay active, insist on an evaluation from a physical therapist to help your knee function better!
References:
www.apta.org/ptinmotion/news/2019/10/28/prescribingkneeoa
Physical Therapy Versus Glucocorticoid Injection For Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Deyle et al. N Engl J Med. 2020. Apr 9;382(15):1420-1429
