Three Myths About Knee Replacements

When it comes to the possibility of having to have your knee or knees replaced, there are myths that have been told by friends, family, and neighbors when it comes to knee replacement surgery. Though many of the same people who spread these myths may have good intentions, they just to not hold up in modern medicine today. There are many myths that have been carried over through the years however, I will cover the three I hear the most in my day-to-day activities in physical therapy.

• The Knee Replacement Will Not Feel Natural. In the initial days after your surgery this may be the case however, in time as swelling is reduced, you are getting stronger and you are progressing with physical rehabilitation as a whole, you begin to feel as though the knee is more natural. Helping to give your new knee a more natural feeling is also affected by the superior surgical techniques and materials that are used today.


• I am Too Young To Have Knee Surgery. Years ago patients that were in pain were advised to hold off on getting a knee replacement until they literally were in a wheelchair due to pain and the inability to walk. Today the age that someone having a knee replaced is younger than it once was. The need for a replacement has more to due with your level of pain than your age. I can assure you the older you are and the longer you postpone the knee replacement, the harder it is to rehabilitate. Many of those that have a knee replaced in their 50s and 60s indicate they should have had the surgery sooner.


• You Should Wait As Long As Possible To Have The Surgery. Waiting until the very end to have your knee replaced is not a good idea. Living in the type of chronic pain with a knee that is bone on bone will also end up breaking down other areas of your body. For instance the lack of sleep at night due to a high level of knee pain can lead to insomnia and possibly depression. Waiting to the very end also can lead to back and, other joint pain due to the change in your walking mechanics. The high level of pain that you have to endure waiting to the very end before knee replacement surgery lowers your overall quality of life and, deconditions your entire body.

Having to have a knee replaced is of course a decision that takes some thought and planning. However, once you have the replacement you are able to live both pain-free and have a higher quality of life. Check with your orthopedic surgeon regarding any concerns you may have that will help you dispel some of the myths prevalent today.

Forest Hills Physical Therapy: Restoring Your Balance

Learning to live with Vertigo can be quite a challenge, but a physical therapist can make the process much easier for you. Before we go any further, though, we should point out that there are certain symptoms which, should they ever accompany your vertigo, would be reasons to seek out immediate medical attention. These symptoms include a change in alertness, difficulty speaking, and double vision. Vertigo itself is just the sensation of spinning, even when you're standing perfectly still. It does warrant medical attention, but alone, it does not constitute a dire emergency. It has multiple causes, and the vast majority of them involve the inner ear in one way or another.

Some people don't immediately think of physical therapy in conjunction with vertigo, but there is actually a lot that a physical therapist can do to help. For example, there are various head and neck movements which can get you moving again and help you keep your vertigo under control. Often, too, it's certain activities that trigger vertigo. If that's the case with you, then your therapist will really be of benefit. He or she can show you how to do those activities in different ways which will help you reduce your dizziness. If any of those activities also cause fatigue, then those will be given priority.

A large portion of a physical therapist's treatment of vertigo will consist of coaching you through various types of exercises. The particular exercises your therapist chooses will obviously depend on which specific symptoms you have. In general, these exercises have three overall goals. Clearly, one of those goals is to improve your balance. Another goal is to help your brain "correct" the differences between it and your inner ears. You will also be helped to improve your focus and vision. In addition to these exercises, your therapist will also suggest some that are intended simply to improve your overall health.

Some people don't realize this, but there are actually therapists with more specific specialties than simply physical therapy in general. If you suffer from vertigo, then you may want to look for a therapist who has completed a fellowship in neurological physical therapy. Such a therapist would be particularly well suited to addressing vertigo. Keep in mind, though, that all of them are qualified to treat people with dizziness. Thus, if you get a recommendation from a friend, family member, or your doctor, then it's definitely worth calling to set up an appointment.

If you or a loved one is suffering from Vertigo, Gait Impairment, or Balance issues, contact the physical therapists at Forest Hills Rehabilitation to see how we can help.

The Easy Guide to Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam

It doesn't matter if you have completed a master or doctor of physical therapy, you must pass the NPTE to become a fully qualified and licensed practitioner. The NPTE is given by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) and is designed to determine if you have the minimum required knowledge to safely practice physical therapy. If you don't pass the NPTE you can't practice, so here is what you need to do to make it easy.

STEP 1: Familiarize Yourself: The NPTE is a 5 hour computer based exam that consists of 5 sections, each containing 50 multiple choice questions. You are marked on how many questions you answer correctly and do not get penalized if you answer incorrectly. To pass you will need to score more than 600 out of a possible 800. If you fail you can retake the exam 3 times in a 12 month period. You can find all this information in detail through the Candidate Hand Book.

STEP 2: Register: Contact the licensing authority in the state or jurisdiction in which you want to practise then go to the FSBPT website to register. There are deadlines for application and set dates to take the exam, so be sure to check the dates.

STEP 3: Study: There are plenty of study guides available with tips on how to pass the NPTE. The most trusted and comprehensive guide is The 2012 National Physical Therapy Examination: Review & Study Guide, by S. O'Sullivan and R. Siegelman. For $85 you get 3 simulated exams on CD as well as study strategies and state licensure information. Another option is the Practice Exam and Assessment Tool (PEAT) that consists of 200 example questions identical to those you will expect to see in the NPTE. It also has built in features that allow you to get immediate scoring, performance reports, explanations and rationales for each question. You can have online access for 30 days at a cost of $90. If you need longer, then another $45 will get you a further 15 days.

STEP 4: Pass the NPTE: You can sit the NPTE at any of the 600 PROMETRIC testing centers located across America and it doesn't matter if it is in a different jurisdiction. As long as you have nominated in your application what jurisdiction you want to practice in you can sit it anywhere. You will need to call them to book your seat.

So there you have it. To pass the NPTE all you have to do is follow these simple steps so you will be well prepared to finally practice as a physical therapist.