Physio referrals with no diagnosis

This happened to my sister. She believes the physio broke her pelvis.

My friend was sent for physio without a diagnosis. Physio told her to go back and tell GP, she had to have an x-ray first.

Ridiculous to do otherwise.

A relative of mine recently had a 'mini appointment' with a physio, at the GP surgery.
They do it that way for people whose pain is thought to be caused by something straightforward, as there is a huge waiting list for a 'proper' appointment.
Maybe not so clever?

Same for my son. Mis-diagnosed by both GP and Physio.
At one point he had a physio appointment on the phone!!!

It’s cheap and it’s a way of not seeing a doctor happened to my husband ridiculous!

Yes my husband had appointment by phone too. I’ve got asthma and the first time they say I can have a appointment by phone I’ll hold the phone to my chest for him to listen!

Sorry for others who have been in a similar situation. It is dangerous to start pulling people around until a proper diagnosis has been made.

One time I rang because of my back problem and the receptionist said she would make me an appointment with their "musculo-skeletal specialist" - "Oh", says I, all innocence "Does one of the doctors specialise in this?" No - it was the physio they were referring to. Unbelievable.

Nothing wrong with physios in the right situation, but for my money it's No diagnosis, No physio.

Some ten years ago I slipped on stairs and bashed my back. Struggled along painfully but eventually saw my GP who didn’t look at my back but referred me to the excellent local physio. She immediately spotted the problem and I saw an orthopaedic surgeon. I had been walking around with a fractured vertebra and could have done serious permanent damage. Repair effected by superglue injected under pressure and no further problems. Have never been more grateful for health insurance which we couldn’t really afford but which made the surgery possible - it was the very new and not then an NHS option.

Gosh, what a story GranbyS. So lucky you were able to pay.

the pharmacist in our surgery said I could no longer have a special cream for my mother who is 102 and we would have to have a phone consultation. I replied that the reason my mother needed the cream was that no one came out to see her and if I couldn’t have the cream I wanted a home visit. Guess what? Yes, we get the cream every time we ask for it.

Has anyone had Piriformin syndrome? The Dr is sending me for nerve testing but it’s been 5 wks of agony now. Cramping pain in calf and buttock. How long does it usually last?

It was the physio who made the correct diagnosis for me, after I'd seen several doctors.

Physio was convinced I had a frozen shoulder when I’d been diagnosed with a damaged brachial nerve. Yanked my arm so I nearly fell off the table and I was left in serious pain for several weeks in which time I cancelled further appointments. Then one night I felt it click and the relief was immense and it improved after that. He was very arrogant. The physio I had for a broken wrist was excellent however.

There seems to be a misconception about what constitutes a physiotherapist and what they can do. Physiotherapy is a science based healthcare profession and practitioners are educated to degree level. As part of their course they study subjects such as anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. In many ways they have deeper understanding of bodily mechanics than other medical professionals and are able to identify many musculoskeletal and neurological issues They are not a cheap option, nor are they likely to pull people about. I am so thankful for my physio-I’d be a lot worse off if it wasn’t for her.

Well she pulled me about and sent me off with exercises to do that rendered me unable to walk without crutches! I do appreciate that they have lots of training, but their job is not to diagnose. It is to rehabilitate where a diagnosis has been made and exercises are appropriate as part of the treatment.

My latest consultant has said not to do the exercises the physio gave me as he understands the totality of my problems - he has prescribed walking,

I really do believe that repeated abnormal movements are not a good thing. Our bodies are not designed for them.

When I had what I thought was a knee problem I was sent to a great physio. He examined me, talked about my problem and how it started, asked me to walk, and then said he didn't think it was a knee problem at all, he thought I had torn the muscle at the top, just behind my knee. Gave me exercises, advice on walking and RICE (which I already knew about) and reassured me. And he was absolutely right. I'm so grateful to him.
The GP was talking about arthritis, wear and tear and replacement!

I was told to self refer to a physio,after suffering repeated prolonged attacks of what I thought was sciatica.I never receieved a response from the physio used by all the GPs in the area.
Back to see the clinician,havent seen a GP at all,who decides that an X ray is required,it seems that I have two hips that have OA right one is bone on bone,there is currently a 30 week waiting time,if you are lucky due to cancellations at the last minute of clinics, I am probably a third of the way,to even get a hospital appointment to see a consultant.
I am glad I didnt see a physio walking is painful enough.

I was referred to a physio with pain in a toe. He pulled it so hard I screamed. Paid £50 for the experience. Years later diagnosed with arthritis.

It seems to be a route we have to go through now, seeing the physios before any diagnosis. It happened before both of my knee replacements, and again because of my back pain.
I still think my back has been wrongly diagnosed. I've asked for a scan and have been refused.

We have an excellent local Physiotherapy Centre.

I have been referred several times, reoccurring back pain, sacroiliac joint pain and rehab after breaking my foot and ankle. I have always been treated with respect and understanding, up and running quickly on each occasion.

Might be worth paying for a scan if you can afford it - at least you will know what you are dealing with.

Yes, I wish, Luckygirl. It would be nice.

I was thinking the same Henetha. But it's a shame that this is the case.
My sister was fobbed off by the doctor when she complained about knee pain. She managed with difficulty, to pay for an mri scan. and found out there was a problem (can't remember the name) which was then treated, but she did tell the doctor what she thought!
My advice is choose a particularly agonising time and go to A&E.