Do I need imaging like an MRI before my first visit?
No. You do not need imaging before your first visit. If imaging would be helpful to clarify your diagnosis, your nurse practitioner can order it as part of your care.
Can you help me prepare for joint replacement surgery?
Yes. This is sometimes called prehab. Patients who go into joint replacement surgery stronger tend to recover faster and more completely. We can build a focused pre-surgical plan that targets the specific muscles and movement patterns that matter most for your recovery.
Is exercise going to make my arthritis worse?
The right exercise actually protects arthritic joints. Weakness and inactivity tend to make joint pain worse over time, not better. Your PT team will guide you through movement that strengthens the muscles around the joint without aggravating it. The goal is to load the joint in a way it can tolerate and benefit from.
I have rheumatoid arthritis. Can you help?
We do not manage rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory arthritis as a primary diagnosis. Those conditions are best managed by a rheumatologist. What we can help with is the musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, and weakness that often comes with inflammatory arthritis. Many patients work with us alongside their rheumatology care.
Do I need surgery for my arthritis?
Many patients with arthritis do not need surgery, even when imaging shows significant changes. Conservative care can often manage pain and preserve function for years. Some joints do reach a point where surgery becomes the right call. Your evaluation will help you understand where you are on that spectrum, and we will tell you honestly.
Can physical therapy actually help arthritis, or am I just going to keep getting worse?
Physical therapy can absolutely help. Arthritis affects the joint, but the muscles around the joint, the way you move, and how much pain you experience are all things that can change. Many arthritis patients move better, hurt less, and stay active longer with consistent team care. PT does not reverse arthritis, but it does change […]