To ask for physio therapy

[Luckymummy22]

To cut a long story short my 5 year old broke and as later turned out dislocated elbow on 1st June. Cast then op now k wire removal. So she's not bent her elbow for 2 1/2 months.
Hospital's communication has been very poor so basically we don't have a clue what will happen next.
We've been told she'll need physio then mentioned she may not. Lots of other contradictory info too.
Basically from experience will Physio be needed? Should I push for actual Physio rather than just exercises?
Might be getting my knickers in a knot over nothing but our experience has not been good at all with this hospital so ready for a fight if needed!!
Will go private if necessary.

Nobody can say whether she needs physio without examining her. She might need it, she might not. And she might not need 'actual physio' and 'just exercises' might well be the most appropriate thing for her. 'Actual physio' isn't necessarily better than 'just exercises'; it just depends on the situation.

"Just exercises" might be exactly what the physio suggests. But they will be exercises designed to help.... what do you think that physios do??

It might be the case. But she was misdiagnosed originally and her communication since has been very poor so don't have much faith in the hospital now sadly.
Whilst it might be that she doesn't need PT I won't necessarily believe the Dr if he says that so will definitely seek a 2nd opinion.
She has been moving her arm well in last few weeks but with a cast on. When her last cast came off she could not move her elbow so my concern is that fear may also prevent her from doing so.

I know what physios do. And I know that exercises will be provided.
Her case is complicated and it may be that she will not regain full use of her elbow and may be prone to dislocation so I want to give her to have the best possibility for a full recovery.

Agree with the previous posters. Nobody on Mumsnet can tell you if your child's injury requires physio and what type of physio it might be if she does need it.

Most physio is 'just exercises', by the way. As the previous poster said, I'm not sure what you think physios do? Prescribing/supervising exercises designed to help the patient is exactly what they are there for.

OK, so her case is complicated - sorry to hear that, must have been stressful for you. However, if you don't trust the people treating her, get a second opinion (as you said, you're prepared to go private so that shouldn't be a problem), but nobody can give you a meaningful or responsible answer to your questions of whether she'll need physio and what type it should be just from reading your description of her injury on the internet. Even a medical professional can't do that (and wouldn't ever do that).

Best of luck and hope she makes a full recovery.

I just wanted to know if other kids had it after so long in a cast.
But you're right it is all down to individual I guess.
I will see how I can get a 2nd opinion if needed and use the private insurance but it's not always easy with Paedaetrics.

Demand Physio and see what the Doctor says. He may say that it will not do anything for her, but at least you'll know for definite.

My very elderly Nan demands for everything she feels she genuinely needs from the NHS (especially Physio), and from the council, as she gets severely fobbed off by both.

Her mobility has really benefited from seeing a Physio, yet the Doctor was initially refusing. He has since apologised to her for not recommending it and agreeing with her, as he can see the progress she has made.

For me, I had issues with my pelvic floor after pregnancy and my Doctor wouldn't refer me for Physio, just printed off a sheet of exercises I could've printed myself. I did a bit of research and found that I could be prescribed a pelvic toner, which is often more effective than going to a Physio, and costs the NHS far far less. I went back to my Doctor and asked for a pelvic toner and she had no idea what I was talking about, so I showed her on my phone. She said they couldn't be prescribed, so I showed her the relevant information saying that they could and that it's cheaper for the NHS. She discussed it in a meeting and got back to me, with a prescription for my pelvic toner. It's been great. Be persistent.

If you don't ask, you don't get, and if you don't get what you want, then at least you get an answer that you can agree with or try to argue against if you think you are right.

Hi, my background is in orthopaedics and sometimes in this age group the best 'physio' is to let the child get back to doing what they would normally do. It's normal for someone of any age to be a bit stiff after being in a cast, which is why physio is often mentioned. That said, I agree with PP who have said that you can't diagnose over the internet. If you have lost faith in your dr absolutely ask to see a different consultant for a second opinion. It may be that you need to contact your hospitals PALS department (patient advice and liaison service) to help facilitate this but I would try to do this through the NHS first rather than going straight to a private care as sometimes with private providers they will give the service the patient or family want as they are paying for it rather than what is the most appropriate. Please do not take that as I am bashing private drs because I am not. As she is so young any complaint to PALS should be dealt with quickly with involvement from hospitals child protection nurse if it is a complicated case. Good luck.

Contact is already made with PALS about original misdiagnosis but not had any joy with them (still waiting for questions to be answered) but have a few things to add after today! And possibly more

Keep in contact with pals, don't give up

My DD (age 11) broke her humerus and dislocated her shoulder about 6 months ago. She also had pins and subsequent removal. When the pins came out and the sling removed she could not bend her elbow much at all as it was very stiff. She did have physio but we did that privately. It consisted of various exercises which built up each session and which she did at home daily over around 6 - 8 weeks. It was a very nasty injury but now apart from the scars from the operation there are no lasting issues thankfully.