Physical Rehabilitation

 

Why would I need physical rehabilitation?

Physical therapy will assist you as you recover from any accident injury that may impact how your body normally functions. When your muscles and bones undergo extreme trauma, they often need to be trained before they will function normally again. Without physical rehabilitation, you may experience permanent muscle weakness or reduced function in the injured body part.

 

What types of physical rehabilitation does Sall Myers offer?

Knee physical therapy: Sall Myers offers knee physical therapy treatment for those who’ve suffered a car accident injury or during post-operative care. Treatment options include strengthening and range of motion exercises, as well as more advanced techniques.

 

Frozen shoulder physical therapy: We offer physical therapy as a treatment option for this painful, ongoing condition. Frozen shoulder has a relatively long recovery process, as compared to other similar injuries.

 

Additionally, physical therapy is a major part of the recovery process for many other accident injuries and orthopedic surgeries.

 

What can I expect from physical rehabilitation?

Your rehabilitation experience will vary depending on your injury. However, you may participate in one or more of the following:

• Strengthening exercises

• Range of motion exercises

• Application of heat and ice

• Electrical stimulation

• Ultrasound

 

One of the board certified doctors at Sall Myers can give you more information about what to expect during your one-on-one appointment.

 

How long will I need physical rehabilitation?

This depends on the type of auto accident injury you’ve endured, as well as whether or not you’ve had surgery and how severely you were injured. You may need as few as one to two sessions with a trained physician, and then continue an exercise program at home. However, some conditions require weeks or months of ongoing treatment.

 

If you’ve been in a car accident in New Jersey and need physical therapy, please call us at 866-609-4448 or fill out our contact form.

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Massage Therapy

 

In which treatments can massage therapy play a role?

In many situations, the proper application of massage to an injury can increase the speed of patient recovery. For accident victims, this can include:

• Torn rotator cuff

• Herniated disc

• Swelling

• General trauma

 

Benefits of massage therapy:

Although massage therapy may not be a treatment you’ve considered for your auto accident injuries, it has many benefits including:

• Relaxing your muscles to increase range of motion

• Improving your blood circulation

• Increased endorphin levels, which can reduce pain

• Reduces cramping and muscle spasms

• May reduce injury recovery time

 

Massage therapy for back pain:

Studies have indicated that massage therapy is a promising treatment method for those suffering from lower back pain. Massage therapy can improve body function and reduce pain more rapidly than clinical methods. Typically, best results are obtained when a patient receives an hour of massage once a week for ten weeks.

 

Massage therapy for shoulder pain:

Massage can improve the pain and stiffness you may experience in one or both shoulders following an auto accident. Massage techniques affect the soft tissue of the trapezius muscle, which runs from the base of the neck to the arms.

 

Massage therapy for neck pain:

Neck pain, especially whiplash, is one common side effect of a car crash. Massage therapy can help relieve some of the effects of your injuries, and can prove especially helpful to those suffering from chronic whiplash.

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If you’ve been in a car accident in New Jersey and need massage therapy, please call us at 866-609-4448 or fill out our contact form.

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Knee Physical Therapy

 

Why would I need knee physical therapy?

Knee physical therapy can help restore strength and pain-free motion to the area after surgery or a car accident knee injury. At Sall Myers, our physical therapists are involved in all stages of knee injury recovery. This can also be an ideal treatment option for those suffering from ongoing knee pain, but who have never had knee surgery.

 

What should I expect from knee physical therapy?

At physical therapy, you can expect any or all of the following:

• Stretches

• Strengthening exercises

• Alternating ice and heat

• Ultrasound

• Electrical stimulation

 

All activities are performed under close supervision of a licensed physical therapist. In addition, you may be given daily knee stretches or exercises to perform at home.

 

How often will I need to attend knee physical therapy?

The frequency and length of your physical therapy visits depends on how severe your injury and pain are, and if you had surgery. In the case of moderate knee pain, you may only need to attend once or twice while continuing to practice your knee exercises at home. For more serious injuries, you may need to attend physical therapy sessions up to three times a week for six or more weeks.

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Will I need a knee brace or walking aid while attending physical therapy?

This will also depend on the severity of your injury and pain. For ongoing moderate pain, you may just need to adjust your lifestyle choices to put less stress on the affected knee. If you’re experiencing swelling, you may need to wear a knee brace. For severe pain or post-surgery, you may have to use crutches or a cane. Our physical therapists will help you learn to properly use your new supportive aid, and ensure you choose one that is an appropriate size for your frame.

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If you’ve been in a car accident in New Jersey and need treatment for a knee injury, please call us at 866-609-4448 or fill out our contact form.

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Pinched Nerve Treatment

 

What are the treatment options for a pinched nerve?

When you suffer a pinched nerve, your treatment options vary depending on the cause and severity of the injury. Courses of treatment for a pinched nerve include:

• Rest

• Pain management

• Physical therapy

• Support braces

• Surgery

The majority of patients recover without need for surgery.

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What can I expect from pinched nerve physical therapy?

To help relieve the muscle spasms associated with a pinched nerve, you may undergo varying physical therapy treatments, including:

• Massage therapy

• Electric stimulation

• Ultrasound

• Joint mobilization

 

What can I expect from pinched nerve surgery?

If a pinched nerve doesn’t improve after several weeks of nonsurgical treatment or you begin suffering from muscle weakness, your physical may suggest surgery as the next step to help take pressure off of the affected nerve. Your surgery will vary depending on the location of the nerve. For example, a bone spur or a herniated disc may be causing a pinched nerve in your spine.

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What is the recovery rate for a pinched nerve?

Most pinched nerve patients eventually recover completely and are free of recurring symptoms. However, the longer a patient has a pinched nerve without treating it, the lower the chances of complete recovery. Occasionally, the damage is irreversible.

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If you’ve been in a car accident in New Jersey and need treatment for a pinched nerve, please call us at 866-609-4448 or fill out our contact form.

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Rotator Cuff Repair

 

What are the treatment options for a torn rotator cuff?

When you suffer a torn rotator cuff, you have two treatment options: surgical and nonsurgical. Many doctors will attempt to treat a torn rotator cuff without surgery first, only resorting to surgery if nonsurgical means do not improve shoulder function.

 

What can I expect from nonsurgical rotator cuff treatment options?

Nonsurgical treatment for a torn rotator cuff may include:

• Rest

• Lifestyle and activity modification

• Pain management or anti-inflammatory medication

• Physical therapy exercises

About half of patients see major results without surgery, although this treatment path usually does not restore full shoulder strength. Additionally, the size of the tear may increase over time if it is not surgically repaired.

 

What can I expect from rotator cuff surgery?

Rotator cuff surgery is a treatment path taken by those who haven’t seen significant results after 6-12 months of nonsurgical treatment, or those who’ve suffered a very large tear.

The surgeon will attempt to reattach the rotator cuff tendon to the part of the bone where it tore off, either with metal or dissolvable material. This procedure can either be performed traditionally with a large incision, or guided by a small camera (arthroscopically).

 

What is the recovery time for a torn rotator cuff?

After surgery, the area may be immobilized with a sling for 4-6 weeks. Once you are able to move the area again, you will undergo physical therapy to regain strength and movement in the area. Full recovery can take up to six months.

 

Without surgery, you should see symptom improvement within six months to one year. As previously stated, most nonsurgical patients never fully recover the shoulder strength they had before the injury. Nonsurgical treatments are ultimately treating the symptoms, not the tear itself.

 

If you’ve been in a car accident in New Jersey and need treatment for a torn rotator cuff, please call us at 866-609-4448 or fill out our contact form.

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Tendonitis Treatment

 

What are the treatment options for tendonitis?

Tendonitis is very rarely treated by surgery, and can often be remedied with more conservative measures, including:

• Avoiding any activity that aggravates your injury

• Resting the affected area

• Ice (day of injury)

• Pain management and anti-inflammatory medication

• Physical therapy, especially in cases of frozen shoulder

 

What can I expect from tendonitis physical therapy?

To help relieve pain associated with tendonitis, you may undergo varying physical therapy treatments, including:

• Strengthening exercises

• Joint mobilization

• Electric stimulation

• Ultrasound

• Massage therapy

 

What can I expect from tendonitis surgery?

If conservative measures fail to relieve your tendonitis or a secondary issue such as a bone fragment or spur is causing the problem, you may need surgery. Tendonitis surgery can be performed one of two ways: open or via arthroscopy. Arthroscopic surgery is a less invasive procedure with a smaller incision, which means you’ll be back up on your feet more quickly afterwards.

 

What can I expect from tendonitis recovery?

Recovery time for tendonitis depends on the location and severity of your injury, since tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon. Your injury may clear up in a few weeks, or it may take multiple months for you to return to your normal strength and function.

 

If you’ve been in a car accident in New Jersey and need treatment for tendonitis, please call us at 866-609-4448 or fill out our contact form.

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Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

 

What are the treatment options for a spinal cord injury?

Spinal cord damage is generally irreversible and permanent. Although patients rarely fully recover the strength and abilities they possessed prior to such a devastating injury, treatment can focus on minimizing the damage and preparing the patient for his or her new set of drastically changed needs.

The early stages of spinal cord injury treatment:

 

After taking emergency action to minimize the damage done to the patient’s body, doctors focus on:

• Immobilizing the head and neck

• Preventing the patient from going into shock

• Monitoring the patient’s ability to breathe

• Avoiding life-threatening complications like blood clots

 

The patient may also undergo surgery to remove fractured vertebrae, herniated discs, or any other deformities present.

 

Ongoing spinal cord injury treatment:

After the patient is stable, doctors will monitor his condition to ensure no long-term health problems develop, including ulcers and muscle contractures. After this, the patient may be sent to a rehabilitation facility.

 

In rehabilitation, a spinal cord injury patient will typically be educated about the potential ongoing risks of their condition, and what to do to prevent complications. They’ll be taught new skills to regain self-sufficiency. Patients will often need to undergo psychological and emotional rehabilitation to adjust to what has happened. Many patients will adopt technological aids to help with day-to-day life, such as electric wheelchairs or adaptations for computer use.

 

What is recovery time and prognosis for a spinal cord injury patient?

If any recovery from a spinal cord injury occurs, the improvement is usually seen within the first six months to one year.

 

If you’ve been in a car accident in New Jersey and need a spinal cord injury consultation, please call us at 866-609-4448 or fill out our contact form.

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Herniated Disc Treatment

 

What are the treatment options for a herniated disc?

When you suffer a herniated disc, your treatment options vary. In 90 percent of patients, a herniated disc will heal completely without need for surgery. However, a few patients will need to undergo surgery to repair their injuries.

 

What can I expect from nonsurgical herniated disc treatment options?

Nonsurgical treatment for a herniated disc may include:

• Pain management or anti-inflammatory medication

• Physical therapy exercises

• Rest

• Alternating ice and heat

 

Most herniated disc patients will see dramatic results within four to six weeks with some combination of nonsurgical treatments.

 

What can I expect from herniated disc physical therapy?

Herniated disc physical therapy may include some or all of the following:

• Strength exercises

• Pain minimizing exercises

• Traction

• Alternating heat and ice

• Ultrasound

• Electrical stimulation

 

You may also learn exercises to perform at home to keep your back strong and prevent future re-injury.

 

What can I expect from herniated disc surgery?

For the 10 percent of people who don’t respond well to nonsurgical treatment, herniated disc surgery is the next treatment option. You may need surgery if:

• Conservative treatment hasn’t improved your symptoms after six weeks

• You’re having trouble performing basic activities like walking and standing

• You have nerve pain or numbness that worsens over time

 

There are various types of herniated disc surgery. In some cases, the protruding portion of the disc is removed. However, there are rare occasions in which the entire disc must be removed, and the doctor must insert an implant in the space between the vertebrae.

 

What is the recovery time for a herniated disc?

About half of all nonsurgical herniated disc patients recover completely within the first month. 90 percent will recover without surgery within six months. Many people who undergo surgery are able to return to regular activities within a few weeks, although you may need physical therapy in some cases.

 

If you’ve been in a car accident in New Jersey and need treatment for a herniated disc, please call us at 866-609-4448 or fill out our contact form.

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Frozen Shoulder Physical Therapy

 

What is frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder may occur after you are injured in a traumatic auto accident, especially if you are a female between the ages of 40 and 60. You may also develop this condition after shoulder surgery.Symptoms include dull or aching pain in the outer shoulder and upper arm, especially with movement, that worsens over time.

 

Your shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. Frozen shoulder occurs when the capsule that contains the joint becomes tight and thickens, sometimes due to a lack of necessary fluids or development of stiff tissue bands.

 

What are the stages of frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder consists of three different stages:

 

Freezing: The freezing stage is the most painful of the three stages of frozen shoulder. You will also experience restricted movement. This stage generally lasts anywhere between 6 and 12 weeks.

 

Frozen: Although pain usually subsides during this stage, stiffness may actually worsen. This stage may last from 4 to 6 months, and you may struggle to perform some of your daily activities.

 

Thawing: Your shoulder’s normal range of motion begins to return during the thawing stage, which may last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.

 

What are the treatment options for frozen shoulder?

Treatment for frozen shoulder includes:

• Pain management and anti-inflammatory medications

• Cortisone injections

• Physical therapy

• Application of heat

 

A patient may need to undergo surgery if nonsurgical methods don’t provide results, although this is very rare.

 

What can I expect from frozen shoulder physical therapy?

Frozen shoulder physical therapy is generally made up of stretching and range of motion exercises, performed either at home or in an office under the supervision of a physician. You may be instructed to apply heat to the area before beginning your exercises to help loosen your muscles.

 

What is the recovery time for a frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder recovery is often a long process. Affected patients may not regain full strength and range of motion for years after developing the condition.

 

If you’ve been in a car accident in New Jersey and need an frozen shoulder consultation, please call us at 866-609-4448 or fill out our contact form.

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Orthopedic Surgery

 

Why would I need orthopedic surgery?

Orthopedic surgery is often needed when physical therapy fails to improve an injury, or when a body part is damaged to the extent that physical therapy would only cause more harm than good.

Orthopedic surgery can treat damage from a car accident injury to the bones, muscles, and other parts of the skeletal system. Some of the most common procedures include:

• Knee surgery

• Shoulder surgery

• Rotator cuff repair

• Herniated disc surgery

• Surgery to help repair broken bones

 

What are the different types of orthopedic surgery?

Orthopedic surgery is often performed via arthroscopy. With this method, a doctor makes a very small incision and performs the surgery while guided by a small camera inserted through this incision. Most arthroscopic surgeries are outpatient procedures. Sometimes, a patient who chooses local or regional anesthesia may be able to view his or her procedure as it is performed. With this type of procedure, you are usually done and able to go home within a few hours.

 

Open surgery is also an option for orthopedic. For certain types of procedures, you will obtain better results this way than with arthroscopic surgery. Incisions can still remain relatively small in size. Recovery time and type of rehabilitation depends on the type and severity of injury you had, not on the type of surgery performed.

 

Are there possible complications associated with orthopedic surgery?

As with any type of surgery, there is at least a small risk of complication associated with the procedure. Normal post-operative conditions include:

• Increased pain or swelling immediately following surgery

• Fever for one or two days following surgery

• A minor amount of bleeding

 

If you experience ongoing pain and swelling, your fever doesn’t subside by the second day, or your wound is bleeding excessively, contact a doctor immediately.

 

What can I expect from orthopedic surgery recovery?

This depends on the type of injury you endured and where on your body you had surgery. For example, many knee surgery patients will need crutches or another walking aid, and may or may not be able to drive depending on which knee was affected. Shoulder surgery patients often find it more comfortable to sleep in a reclining chair or propped up in bed for the first few nights. Your doctor will consult with you on what to expect specifically from your particular surgery.

 

If you’ve been in a car accident in New Jersey and need an orthopedic surgery consultation, please call us at 866-609-4448 or fill out our contact form.