ultrasound therapy?

[fosmert]

Has anyone been told that they cannot have ultrasound therapy at a physical therapy place, because they had cancer in the past. I am being told that I cannot have ultrasound, since it might encourage cancer cells to reform. I have been checked three times, since having cancer surgery and it has been no evidence of disease every time. I would appreciate any input from other patients, if they have ever heard this before from the therapist. Thanks, Fosmert

[kajel]

As a therapist, I will not use ultrasound on a patient who has had cancer except in some limited circumstances, that the person has been free of cancer for at least 5 years, the cancer was localized to a specific site and the treatment is not over or near that site. The risk does not outweigh the benefit from the treatment.

[bignastyPT]

Just on a side note, why would you want ultrasound? Its not going to do anything anyway. There is no skilled service in that! For me, the question is not whether ultrasound is contraindicated for cancer, but why use it in the first place?

Kajel, what is the benefit of treatment that you mentioned? Hows does ultrasound improve outcomes for any type of injury? For the risks to outwieght the benefits, doesnt their have to be benefits first?

[MVP Mom]

Not to hijack the thread, but the previous posters comments alluded to the idea that ultrasound therapy is considered an outdated treatment.

I'm scheduled for a PT evaluation this week and was told that I would likely receive ultrasound therapy for a facet joint problem. What treatment is considered to be effective today?

[bignastyPT]

Hello MVP Mom,

I am the previous poster. Yes, I am alluding to the idea the ultrasound is more or less an outdated treatment. The only time I really use ultrasound ( maybe five or six times a year) is when pain/muscle spasms/swelling is so severe I can't do any form of active care or manual techniques. I use it as a tool to get somebody to do the stuff that can really help them.

With that being said, active care (exercises) and joint manipulation/mobilization have much greater support in the research for management of spine problems than passive modalities (ultrasound, heat, e-stim)

My question to you is: If you have yet to have a physical therapy examination, why do you think you're going to have ultrasound for a facet joint problem? Did the MD recommend that? Only from a complete physical exam that explores spine function can a treatment plan be prescribed. I personally couldn't tell you what I would do for a facet joint problem until do an exam.

Good questions to ask your physical therapist on your first day in the clinic.

[MVP Mom]

Thanks for replying BNPT!

Hope you had a good holiday!

Ok, apparently my extremely tight muscles and my SI joints are my new primary problem, in addition to my facet joint in my lower back. I was told when I scheduled the appt. that ultrasound would be used.

My PT is using heat, stim and ultrasound to allow my muscles to relax prior to exercise (I use the term loosely!). She's recommended I d/c the treadmill (too painful) and is only allowing short walks in addition to very mild stretching exercises.

However from the what I can tell, ultrasound is used prior to exercise, more often than not.
Can you elaborate on what you consider joint manipulation? Is this what Chiropractors consider 'adjustment'?
Also what are your thoughts on the inversion tables. It's been recommended to me by others (an MD).

Thanks again for your input!

[bignastyPT]

Joint manipulation and joint mobilization are considered the same thing. Chiropractors do manipulate, but for different reasons than a physical therapist. Tradional chiropractic has a very different philosphy and quite frankly does not work well for most conditions.

Only speaking for myself here, I do not manipulate or mobilize joints that need support or any too loose. Joints that are too loose need exercise to support them rather than stretching a joint. I manipulation joints that I feel are not moving through their ROM well and only need to be stretched. I see too many patients who fail other peoples care because than manipulate joints that are too loose. If you spained your ankle, would you continue to stretch it?

Joint manipulation/mobilization have been found to very effective if you meet certain criteria....its called the clinical manipulation rule. Ask your PT about it.

Don't get an inversion table....waste of your time and your money.

I do however think it somewhat interesting to say to you that they would use ultrasound prior to your exam though....for what is worth.

[morey]

Hi I just stared physical therapy and they have been using ultrasound its heaven. It helps me to perform the exercises much easier and with less pain. And the muscle spasms have been reduced by ten fold. why would a physical therapist tell a patient that's its a waste of time?