As a provider, we frequently discuss the basics of the mental side of rehabilitation with our patients. We seem to always have an answer when a patient is frustrated or feeling stuck. We have our sayings of “Oh, some things take time” or “Rehabilitation isn’t a linear process and you will have ups and downs.” It can be easy for us as providers to forget to put ourselves in the patient’s shoes.
Recently, I found myself on the patient side of the rehabilitation process. In April, I began to have foot pain. Luckily, I work in a great place for someone who is having pain. Nick, PT, DPT, CSCS, and I worked together in an attempt to ease the discomfort. For a while, the treatments were helpful. However, the pain started to come back about a month later.
None of the treatments seemed to be working anymore and I became very upset and frustrated. It was time to see a specialist. X-rays were taken and there was no sign of fracturing, which came with good and bad feelings to go along with it. I was happy there was no damage, however, I was upset because there was still no explanation for my pain. The solution at the time was to wear a boot for four weeks and then follow up with the specialist. Four weeks went by and there was no improvement. I was unable to be out of the boot for more than three hours until the pain came back in full swing.
At my follow up, it was decided to do an MRI, which also showed no signs of damage or explanation for my foot pain. This was extremely frustrating as I had just spent six weeks in the boot at that point and there were still no answers for my pain. So, I got out of the boot and started to walk as much as I could tolerate. My foot was still painful, but I decided to go about my life as normally as I could.
It wasn’t until another therapist here at CPT checked my hip alignment that we were able to find some answers. We found out that I have a true leg length discrepancy, meaning one leg is longer than the other! Our solution to this was to trial a heel wedge in my shoe. Come to find out, this was a small solution to my big problem! My foot has felt better since. That being said, my pain continues to come and go. Despite this, I feel that I am finally able to get enough relief that I can continue my exercises and stretches with less pain.
Throughout this process, I have been given the opportunity to gain perspective and be able to see things from the patient’s point of view. I felt frustrated at not being able to do the activities that I wanted. I felt limited at work by not being able to stand and work out alongside my patients, as I enjoy doing. I felt the dashed hope of having a good day with no pain, just to turn around and have even more pain the next day.
Because of this process, I have become a better therapist. I feel I am able to be a better listener to my patients and am better able to understand their frustrations. I am able to understand how it can be hard to be a patient undergoing rehab, as patience is definitely not my strong suit. While having an injury has been very frustrating, I have been able to use this experience to better relate to everyone I treat here at CPT!