Knee Pain Doctor Exton, PA

For those experiencing knee pain, Physical Therapy may be a viable option for relief. As our friends at  Physical therapy, it is a process that may last several weeks or several months. Your first session will be an opportunity for your therapist to evaluate your current mobility restrictions and pain level. He or she will ask you many detailed questions, and you will likely fill out a questionnaire form. You will discuss your goals, and you will probably complete a few exercises. Here are some of the things that you should expect to take place during your first appointment with a physical therapist.

Evaluation

Your physical therapist will review any information provided by your primary care physician or knee pain doctor. Sometimes, referrals will have detailed notes about your condition, a procedure, or therapy goals. You will be asked to discuss your pain levels as well as what activities worsen and improve pain. You may also expect to be asked to identify specific activities that you are having difficulty with. For example, your therapist may ask you what tasks at home are hard for you. You may also have to answer how long you can sit or stand comfortably.

Measurements

Your physical therapist may want to get some measurements about how much you are able to move the area that you have injured. For example, he or she may make note of the number of degrees that you are able to rotate or extend one of your limbs. Over the course of your therapy, your therapist will mark your progress towards a mobility goal.

Exercises

You will try a few basic exercises together so your physical therapist can gauge your current capabilities. You may do just one or two sets of repetitions. The exercises that you do may seem very challenging on your first visit, but they will become easier over time as you build strength and endurance. Your physical therapist will give you feedback on your form so that you can complete exercises with minimal pain and optimal results.

Questions

Be ready to ask your physical therapist questions that you may have about your work together and your recovery. Try to write down your questions in advance of your visit so you won’t forget. Also, feel free to ask any questions that come up during your session.

Assignments

You may receive some assignments to do at home, and you may have to do them every day in order to keep up your progress. Your therapists will write out instructions about what you should do on your own.  

Thanks to our friends at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania for their insight into the process of starting a physical therapy regimen.