My visit to the Rehabilitation Doctor today

Hi,

I thought I should let y'all know what the rehab doc said today.

He thinks I may have "exploded" a tendon in my ankle. He's ordering an MRI asap. I'm to stay completely off it and ice it.

He also examined my neck and back. He said the back of my thighs, gluts, hips, and lower back were all "ok." However, my ribs, mid-back, upper back and neck are all "horrible." Also, the muscles in those areas are basically toast.

He's prescribing a very intensive course of PT for me. At first I'll see a PT who will do a special kind of therapy with me to get me some range of motion, at present I have "none." Then, once I have some motion, I'll see two different therapists concurrently. I can't remember what one of them will do, but the other will do a deep massage that will actually break loose the muscles from where they are connected in my back and neck because "they are all connected in the wrong places." All of this stuff is going to be very painful he said, but in the long run, worth it. Then, once that is done, I'll be able to go to regular PT and gain muscle tone and strength back. The initial phase will be 4-6 months, but then he thinks he'll have me back to about 50 to 60% -- by two years he believes he can get me back to 80%. I'll be able to play with my kids again and go for walks again!!

He told me to get the PT going right away, but that was before he had completed the exam of my foot. Before I left the office he told me to stay completely off my foot and they would get me that MRI immediately. So, right now I'm waiting to hear when my appointment for the MRI is -- then what the course of treatment will be (surgery or whatever).

Oh, it was kind of funny -- he looked at my chart and who my insurance was and his face was very downcast. He said my insurance was going to greatly limit the care he could give me. I then pointed out that I had changed insurance companies -- that other company was going to make me wait 9 months for treatment! I'm now on my husband's insurance and told him the name and pointed it out on the paper. He said "that's not the same company?" I said, "no, these guys should pay for anything I need." Boy! You should have seen the change in his demeanor! He was like, "Oh! We can do (this and that and this and that!!)"

I believe I have a doctor that actually has the means and desire to help me to recover from these injuries. I'm very hopeful of a normal life again.