Dr. Howard Smith Reports

Ditching Physical Therapy All Too Common


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Three out of four surgical patients admit they don’t complete their prescribed physical therapy homework. Problem is: that omission stalls their recovery. That’s according to data from a SSRS probability-based national survey analyzed by  rehabilitation specialists at the Ohio State University. 


The survey of 1,006 U.S. adults with prescribed therapy shows that only 24% complete all of their assigned at-home physical therapy exercises. Another 28% complete 75–99% of the exercises, 27% complete 50–74%, 11% complete 25–49%, 8% complete only 1–25%, and 2 percent skip all therapeutic exercise.


Age mades a difference: 30% of adults 65 and older complete all assignments compared with just 12% of adults under 30. The most common reasons for skipping exercises? Forgetting — according to 40%. Another 33% blame lack of time, while 22% call the exercises boring or repetitive.


Physical therapists emphasize that the 1 to 3 hours spent weekly in clinic isn’t, on its own, sufficient to speed and complete recovery. That requires consistent daily movement and strength-building at home. Skipping exercises delays healing, prolongs pain, and even jeopardizes optimal surgical outcomes.


https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260216/Survey-7625-of-surgical-patients-dont-complete-physical-therapy-homework-leading-to-stalled-recoveries.aspx


#physicaltherapy #rehabilitation #homeexercise #surgery

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Dr. Howard Smith ReportsBy Howard G. Smith MD, AM