Physio Vs. Ortho

What is the difference between having a healthy diet vs. going for kidney dialysis?

Well, there is no comparison - it all depends on when what is required! However, if, say, we have a choice - what will we choose?

Physiotherapy, like a healthy diet, strengthens our muscles from inside. It is a treatment method that aims to use physical exercise, movement, and reinforcement as its modus operandi. As per definition, it is “a treatment method that focuses on the science of movement and helps people to restore, maintain and maximize their physical strength.” While helping in the recovery and maintaining the body's overall health, the treatment prevents any further damage. If you have suffered an injury, the therapy will focus on reducing pain, enhancing mobility, lessening inflammation, and improving movement range. It will help the muscles and tissues to regain control through natural and physical modes.

On the other hand, orthopedic surgery is, well, surgery! It typically comes into the picture when there is extensive damage, probably not treatable through physiotherapy. In other words, it gains weightage when “physiotherapy is not a viable option.” In cases like a meniscus tear, bone fracture, extensive ligament damage, etc., immediate surgery is required, and physiotherapy alone can’t help. However, that being said, physiotherapy is still recommended and beneficial for such patients post-surgery. It escalates the process of healing and helps maintain the healthy positioning of the body.

Hence, it is imperative to understand where you really stand. What is that you are expecting treatment of? How severe is it? Have you suffered an injury/accident, and what is the extent of the same? What are your expectations post-treatment?

Ideally, if there is severe injury involved, your orthopedic surgeon would need to work along with a physiotherapist for efficacy, pain management, and long-term results. However, if it is not related to a serious accident that requires immediate medical attention, then physiotherapy might be your logical, organic, lasting, and self-supporting go-to point. Thus, we tag physiotherapy with a quality lifestyle that would prevent your body pain from recurring. 

While there is no doubt, any bodily problem should be sorted post proper consultation from an expert. The reason we are writing this is to scrub any misconceptions around physiotherapy. While the therapy is gaining traction with time, some people even today consider this flaccid and consider ortho surgery or dependency on a few drugs as their only options.

Consider this post as a myth buster, read more, explore more, and go for physiotherapy wherever and whenever feasible.