Options for diagnosing injury

Josey Wales

Hi,

I've been struggling with an injury for a long while now and it seems no nearer to getting better. I have been to two different physical therapists who have both struggled to identify the exact cause of the injury.

I'm unsure of what I can do now. I could go see my GP but I don't see how they could identify the injury. Or do I just keep trying my luck with new physical therapists or physios?

Any advice is welcome.

RacoonQueen

What type of injury is it and where are you based? Someone may be able to recommend someone who has experience in dealing with certain types of injuries (shoulder injuries, cycling injuries, back injuries etc)

GP will probably just send you to physio but they can also refer you for xray, mri etc which might be what you need. Did the physical therapists have any idea what it was?

Josey Wales

RacoonQueen wrote: »

What type of injury is it and where are you based? Someone may be able to recommend someone who has experience in dealing with certain types of injuries (shoulder injuries, cycling injuries, back injuries etc)

GP will probably just send you to physio but they can also refer you for xray, mri etc which might be what you need. Did the physical therapists have any idea what it was?

I'm located in North County Dublin.

It is hard to locate the exact source of the pain even though it is my own body. It is my right leg right at the top of the thigh but is painful around the hip and groin too.

One of the therapists thinks that my piriformis muscle is tight and I've been doing stretches for it. But it has only brought light relief.

UL_heart_throb

You could try your GP, but depending on their experience and interests they may not know much about sports injuries other than RICE, ibuprofen and difene. I am fairly lucky my GP in limerick is also doctor for munster so he has training in sports medicine.

You could seek an appointment in http://www.sportssurgeryclinic.com/ up in santry which isn't too far from where you are.

A good physio might be a cheaper and more straight forward option, there are physios in that above place too. For me, depending on the sport I acquired the injury in, I ask the other players where they go for physio and I just go there, in the hope the physio is familiar with it.

I wouldn't put too much in physical therapist diagnosis as they are not licenced profession.

Piriz

hi,
i'd go to a physiotherapist rather then a physical therapist...there is a difference in the quality of their training, physiotherapist being superior. Also some private therapists are fond of your cash and will encourage return appointments when not always necessary so be cautious.

a trip to the GP might help if you get a referral to get a scan, x-ray and/or mri

Olidolly

A good physio might be a cheaper and more straight forward option, there are physios in that above place too. For me, depending on the sport I acquired the injury in, I ask the other players where they go for physio and I just go there, in the hope the physio is familiar with it.

I wouldn't put too much in physical therapist diagnosis as they are not licenced profession.[/QUOTE]

Good advice there. A girl who worked in my office (full time) 'trained' as a physical therapist by doing several weekend trainings over the course of just one year. The level and quality of training varies widely and no way can you compare it to the 4 years full time that a physiotherapist must spend in training. I would also suggest you get a recomendation for a good Physiotherapist (sorry, not from Dublin so I can't) and go there first. By and large they know their stuff very well. A physio will send you back to your GP if you need medication also (like anti inflamatory) or x-rays/scans but very often you won't and they can sort you out. I am currently in trouble with neck muscle problems and my own GP has sent me for physiotherapy as he has deemed that they are better placed than him to sort me out. Not unusual as very often it's manipulation not medication which is needed. Good luck and hope you get sorted.

RacoonQueen

Plenty of great physical therapists out there too. I won't comment much on the physio -v- physical therapist thing it's been done hundreds of time in the past.

Anyway, I'm not the biggest believer that physio is better than other similar qualifications, however, in this instance physios have more training in nerve problems.

Any idea how you picked up the injury? Through sport? What sport?

I've heard Richard in Dublin spine and sports in Portobello is good for nerve/muscle issues if you're willing to travel out that way. Specialises in neuro-musculoskeletal so might be able to find a solution.

Josey Wales

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Any idea how you picked up the injury? Through sport? What sport?

I first felt it last year after playing tag rugby. It used to hurt for a few hours after. I stopped playing that sport.

It never used to hurt after soccer (5-a-side, twice a week) but then it started to and know it is getting worse.

Thanks for the replies. I will try the physiotherapist route.

calfmuscle

Josey Wales wrote: »

I'm located in North County Dublin.

It is hard to locate the exact source of the pain even though it is my own body. It is my right leg right at the top of the thigh but is painful around the hip and groin too.

One of the therapists thinks that my piriformis muscle is tight and I've been doing stretches for it. But it has only brought light relief.

To be honest from what you have said this doesn't sound like your typical piriformus issue, I would be changing therapists.

Id definitely go with the others here who are advising you to see a physiotherapist.

I haven't been to this clinic but they have a guy their who has an interest in groin injuries so he might be a good start.

ballsbridgephysio.com