Second week is over!!

Our first client this morning was interesting as he came back with more pain than last time. We had seen him previously for knee pain. So far all our other clients have come back with less pain.

1. When our client first said that he had more pain I assumed he meant the knee pain had become worse. When we asked a few more questions though we found out that the original pain was the same, he just had a new pain in the VMO area. We had given him a HEP to work the VMO so this was to be expected. We decreased the HEP to once a day and advised him to ice after the exercises. We had previously taped his knee and he came back with a rash (in a line on his knee). I had put fiximull under the elastoplast but had obviously missed a bit. Where the elastoplast was touching the skin directly there was a rash. The taping did help decrease the pain, but this only lasted for 3 days, and when it was removed the pain returned to the original level.

2. I think we did well with the client – it wasn’t anything difficult, just a little different from what I have been getting used to in the fact he came back with more pain. Once we realized it was probably the exercises causing the pain (it was in the area we were targeting) we explained this again to the client and will see if by decreasing the HEP it makes a difference with the pain. It is normal to experience pain after starting a new program.

3. I felt comfortable around this client – we had met him before and he was very cooperative and patient. While he was on IF we talked about different things – telling him about our course, talking about his Christmas holidays etc. It was easy and comfortable to talk to him. I was confident in what we were doing as well. I have now become much more confident in using US and IF.

4. I think last time we did explain the exercises could cause a little pain, but next time I will make it much clearer to the client. If I tape again I will be very very careful to make sure the fiximull is all the way under the elastoplast.

5. Just making my explanations clearer about what to expect after the treatment and after doing a HEP.

6. I felt the day went well as we got to see a few exciting things and interesting clients (such as an Achilles rupture). I am still learning so much as I go and I think that's the great thing about physio - there is always something more to learn.