5.5 weeks post surgery

[Mimi resurrected]

Yesterday a client I've not seen before came in to redeem a gift certificate. He had knee reconstruction 5.5 weeks ago. Knee looked pretty good, but the swelling/edema from distal knee to the ankle was flippin' amazing. Foot and toes appeared normal. I did light work on the area but asked him to please see his doctor. He had walked out on his last appointment because he waited 2 hours past his appointment time and hadn't been back. The physical therapist he was seeing pretty much cut him loose and just gave him work to do at home after seeing him the first time. I don't know what the time frame is on recovery for this type of surgery, but that much swelling/edema and the limits he has on ROM and no longer seeing a PT over 5 weeks out kind of make for some concern.


Any thoughts or suggestions?

Maire

 

[Proud New Momma]

5.5 weeks post surgery

I think you acted correctly. You massaged correctly{ you didn't state length of massage} and within your scope of practice. I hope you explained why you had concerns about the swelling. Sounds to me like you did fine. You could have not done his surgical leg at all and still been within your scope of practice too. Perhaps he wanted tension relief on his back. Did he say why he came?

 

[Persian Prep :)]

This client sounds very fishy to me. He doensn't seem to have any patience at all for his recovery. I personally have gone through 2 knee surgeries, where the first one was 7 MONTHS of PT... not just home exercises. He probably was given an evaluation, and didn't make any further appointments, which most pt clinics leave to you to make with the receptionist as you are walking out the door.

I would not continue to massage him until you have permission from his doctor, unless you totally avoid the leg in question. Mainly you want to cover your behind... and make sure that his treatment doesn't fall on just you or the suit when he realizes that he never should have walked out of that doctors office.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Thank you lovely_day and Muriel.

I called him the next day to see how he was and again urged him to see his surgeon... or even his family doctor to get the swelling assessed. And I don't think I'll be working on that leg again without clearance from his doctor. It's just too weird of a situation.

Maire