Online Video & Remote Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Assessments

If you have had a hip or knee replacement or another orthopaedic procedure such as an operation to repair a broken ankle you may well be finding it very difficult to see a physiotherapist either privately or in the NHS due to the risk of Corona Virus transmission. Your need for physiotherapy quickly after recovering from such a procedure will not have changed and it is still important that you get effective rehab and advice about how best to manage things. Usually we see and treat a large number of patients recovering from hip or knee replacements but at this time are unable to do so because we are trying to play our part in reducing the risk of virus transmission through face to face contact. So, in an effort to help we have been working on ways in which we can still assess our orthopaedic patients and enable them to manage their joint replacements as best as they can without a physiotherapist being physically there. As such we have decided that we will offer remote online, video consultations and physiotherapy assessments for patients recovering from an orthopaedic procedure such as a hip or knee replacement

A remote on line video physiotherapy assessment allows one of our physiotherapists to take a full history of what has been happening, look through past medical history and conduct via video a physical assessment which can provide information regarding weaknesses, strengths, range of motion at the joint and what it is best to do. They can also safely prescribe the best exercises and prepare a plan of management to enable you to maximise your recovery and improve your strength and mobility. All of this can happen without the risk of infection…

 

How the Online Video Physiotherapy Assessment Works

It is extremely easy to set up the assessment. Simply send us an email with a short description of your request: please include details such as age, the nature of the operation or orthopaedic procedure, when you had the operation and where it took place, some background about current difficulties  and what you would like them to achieve from physiotherapy as these will be really helpful in organising the assessment. We will then get in touch to arrange a convenient time for your assessment. Before the session you will receive an email with instructions detailing how to access the video conferencing software needed for the remote physiotherapy assessment.

 

The Online Physiotherapy Session

The session will be 1hr in length and will begin with a discussion to find out what it is our physiotherapist can help with e.g. recovering from a hip replacement 3 weeks ago, what the symptoms are, what activities might be practicable and what goals you have for physiotherapy. Our physiotherapist will then run through a past medical history and any other questions needed that will highlight other areas and difficulties.

Then a physical assessment will happen during which our physiotherapist will ask you to perform a series of tests, exercises and movements to check strength, range of motion, pain and balance etc. This part of the session will very much depend upon what your current issue is and how well you are recovering. During this part of the assessment you will need to have your phone, iPad or laptop pointed at yourself fairly securely so that the physio can see what you are doing.

After this part, the physio will then discuss what they have found or may ask some further questions and ask you to run through a few more tests. After this discussion they will then discuss a plan of management including exercises, dos and don’ts and things that you need to do in order to help. Any exercises needed can be emailed over after the session so that you and your child have a clear idea of what is needed. Finally our physiotherapist will book in any follow up online video consultations necessary.

 

Is an Online Video Physiotherapy Assessment Suitable for Someone After a Knee Replacement?

The simplest answer to this question is yes but after your initial email or call we will have a discussion about the situation and how we might be able to help you to make sure that it is appropriate and that we will be able to help. The remote online video physiotherapy assessment is especially helpful for those self-isolating or in a high risk category for Corona Virus.

What Equipment Will I Need for The Remote Physiotherapy Assessment?

You really don’t need much for the online video physiotherapy assessment. You simply need an electronic device that has a camera and a screen and that can be pointed easily to where you will be. This can be your phone, a tablet or a laptop. You will need an area such as a living room where dependent upon mobility and pain you can move around and do some tests or exercises.  . If you have any pieces of equipment such as a set of weights, stretchy resistance bands or yoga mat would be brilliant but are not essential. Mobility aids such as crutches or a zimmer frame may be helpful and should you have any medical information having that to hand would be great as well

Will You Be Recording the Remote Video Physiotherapy Assessment?

The simple answer is no. We will be making our usual clinical notes but we will not be recording the video session itself as we do not want to store images of you or any family members without permission.

How Will I be Able to Know What Exercises and Stretches I should Do?

At the end of the remote video physiotherapy assessment our physiotherapist will be able to email you a comprehensive series of exercises and a plan of exercises.

Will I Need More Than One Session?

This is difficult to be certain and will depend upon what it is that we are helping with. However, if your child has been given a programme of exercises and advice to follow we will definitely be wanting to check in with you and them to review progress and make adjustments to their exercises etc.

How Long Will A Follow Up Remote Video Physiotherapy Session Take?

Usually this will be 30 minutes but your physiotherapist will advise you on what length of time they consider to be most appropriate.

Can I Have A Session in Person After an Online Video Physiotherapy Session?

Yes of course! Once you feel that it would be safe and advisable to have a physical session with our physiotherapist then this can easily be arranged.