When it comes to physical therapy, the amount of time it takes to see results can vary depending on the type of injury and the severity of the condition. A good physical therapist will track your progress and check to see if you're gaining in range of motion, function, and strength. Generally, it will take six to eight weeks for soft tissue to heal, meaning a typical physical therapy program will last about that long. The key to healing is blood flow.
The reason why muscle heals faster than any other tissue is because it has a rich blood supply that provides the nutrients and oxygen needed for healing. Tendons and ligaments have a limited blood supply, so they take longer to heal. Physical therapy stimulates blood flow to accelerate healing. Cartilage has no blood supply, making it extremely slow to heal. Cartilage receives lubrication from joint fluid through movement, which is why knee and hip physical therapy may take longer.
But it also explains why physical therapy can help accelerate healing, since movement promotes joint lubrication. Bone needs to withstand loads in order to heal. Bones are made to withstand weight, but a broken bone can't support as much weight as a healthy bone. After a fracture, the bone must be immobilized for a period of time, but as healing progresses, applying weight to the bone can promote healing. This is why walking plasters are beneficial for broken bones in the legs, ankles, or feet. Instead of setting a date for completing therapy, set several goals that you would like to achieve during your rehabilitation program.
Make this your focus, not time. Reward yourself for achieving these goals, no matter how much time you spend achieving them. Your physical therapist can help you set these therapy goals and keep you on track. While the time may vary depending on several factors, you can get out of the reference point that a typical physical therapy session lasts approximately one hour. Your physical therapist will be able to identify that fatigue and take you to another activity (for example, ultrasound or manual therapy) that will allow you to make the most of the time you spend on physical therapy. Finally, the physical therapist will use the results of your exam and the doctor's recommendations to design a treatment plan for rehabilitation.
However, if your physical therapist is an expert in balance rehabilitation, he or she will examine you for underlying balance deficiencies. When these things occur, you should talk to your physical therapist to discuss the possibility of interrupting your rehabilitation program. When this happens, your physical therapist and the clinic you attend may be able to work with you to set up the appropriate payment for the continuation of your physical therapy services. When considering physical therapy as a treatment option for pain or movement issues, it's important to understand how long it may take before results are seen. Everyone is different and determining an overall prognosis and duration of physical therapy depends on many factors. For more serious soft tissue injuries, physical therapy may last 4-6 weeks. Your physical therapist won't recommend more sessions than necessary in order to meet your goals but they may consider how often you can complete your exercise program at home. Sometimes insurance companies won't continue paying for specialized services from a physical therapist and this can lead to an end in physical therapy sessions.
