Hello to all our friends!
This past week I received a call from a former patient concerned about COVID-19 and their knee pain and instability. They had been waiting to get into their physician to come in to see us for physical therapy. They had felt their knee giving out, and they are especially worried about addressing stairs. They just called to find out what they can do. This person is worried, feeling alone, and lost about how to deal with their difficulty walking and staying fit and strong as each day passes.
This is not the first call we have received over the last 2-3 months. So many people are feeling lost and in pain with their back, neck, knee, hip, etc. They understand the COVID-19 situation. They understand why their physicians are more concerned with those sick and presenting with certain symptoms similar to COVID-19. They realize these patients are a priority. However, all they know is that they are home, not moving, losing strength and function. They are having a harder time getting out of bed, getting out of a chair, walking up and down stairs. They are beginning to worry about their overall health, life to come, and future.
Please know we are here for you right now! We realize most patients have little knowledge of physical therapy. We definitely know that most people are still unaware of the law passed in Indiana in July of 2013 which allows patients to see their physical therapist without a physician referral. This means, any patient can walk into a physical therapy clinic to get help with their back, neck, shoulder, etc. without going into their physician’s office. This law was improved, to help patients even further, by allowing them to see physical therapists for up to 42 days before they would need to see their physician.
With this law in effect, which few people know about, any patient can now come in and see one of our physical therapists at any time. Any patient can get examined and treated for up to 42 days. As a result of this law, which is 7 years old, patients who are injured can be seen immediately by one of our physical therapists. They can still set up an appointment to see their physician, when this COVID-19 clears up and physicians’ schedules open up, but they no longer have to wait to address their immediate, acute injuries.
We will always send your examination results to your physician of choice because they are the key gatekeepers to your overall health. They need to have your complete medical history at all times. If we think you are in need of seeing your physician, we will call them and help to get you in as soon as possible. We will be your advocate along the way.
We have had the luxury of treating patients from many of the physicians in this area for over 30 years. There is no other clinic that can boast such a claim. We are an independent clinic and take great pride in the fact that we are not owned by physicians or any corporate company. McDonald Physical Therapy has been blessed in having close relationships with most physicians in our community. As a result, we will work closely with them to help you overcome your pain and weakness which may be hindering you from experiencing the lifestyle you were having before COVID-19.
We are here for you. We are here to help you stay safe and healthy during this unique and challenging time.
Sincerely,
Fran McDonald, PT, DPT
