Virtual Physio – Is It Effective?

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Virtual Physio – Is It Effective?

 

Telehealth or virtual consultations are nothing new but we are all much more used to seeing patients in person. Yet, is telehealth simply a temporary stop-gap during the COVID19 pandemic or will it serve a purpose once restrictions are lifted? Is it effective or a waste of time and better to have face to face treatment?
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In the world of orthopaedics, Pastora-Bernal et al (2017) found strong evidence in favour of telerehabilitation in patients following total knee and hip arthroplasty. More recently, Cottrell and Russell (2020) found that in musculoskeletal physiotherapy (the kind of physio performed at On The Go Physio), telehealth has been shown to be a low-cost and effective alternative means of providing assessment and treatment.
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Since the start of the COVID19 pandemic, face to face appointments have been cancelled and non-essential treatments have been postponed which has placed a huge burden on the NHS and private sectors due to the backlog of appointments (CSP, 2020). Therefore, virtual physiotherapy is especially beneficial in meeting the demands placed upon both these sectors. It offers a viable alternative when compared to conventional methods of delivering healthcare and can improve physical function and pain across a number of conditions.
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It also allows those who are unable to get to a clinic, for example those who are shielding or can’t get childcare to access physiotherapy. Some patients have enjoyed that they don’t have to leave their house and have been surprised at just how much can be achieved in the sessions.
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What’s the bottom line? It works!

PRP – Platelet Rich Plasma. What is this new phenomenon?

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PRP – Platelet Rich Plasma. What is this new phenomenon?


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What is it?
Platelets form part of the blood and produce growth factors that assist in the repair of tissues. It is therefore believed that a higher concentration of platelets applied to an injured tissue will help it heal faster.
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How are the number of platelets increased?
A blood test is performed. The blood is then centrifuged or spun and divided into its various components. The level of platelets is increased and the then concentrated platelets are applied for example by an injection to the site of injury.
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Does it work?
PRP has been around since the 1980s but has only begun to gain popularity in the past decade. However, it has been found to have only very marginal clinical benefit. In other words, it has not been shown to conclusively demonstrate a reduction in patients’ symptoms. Furthermore, as PRP is an expensive method of treatment and with little efficacy it should therefore not be a first port of call compared to other treatments.