Most people have been in this situation at one time or another: the doctor will not be available until next Tuesday, but something hurts now, and the sooner advice on how to care for it can be found, the better. Now, thanks to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), a new service will help patients who suffer knee injury during a weekend getaway (and anyone else who has to deal with a problem knee) do just that.
According to sources at the APTA, the "Taking Care of the Knee" hotline is a toll-free line created by the APTA to help educate callers about various knee injuries. The hotline offers advice on how to prevent and care for different knee injuries through various means, including exercise, rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes.
The hotline, while not a replacement for a face-to-face visit with a doctor or physical therapist, can help patients safely manage pain and take necessary precautions to prevent further injury while awaiting personal consultation. It can also provide helpful reminders about what to do – and what not to do – while recovering from a knee injury or when between visits to health care providers.
Mark S. DeCarlo, president of the sports section of the APTA, noted that factors such as repetitive stress from sporting activities are often to blame in the formation of knee injuries, and can cause "muscle strain, tendonitis, and other conditions."
Taking care of knees involves many elements, which include maintaining strength, flexibility and endurance, maintaining a healthy weight, and learning how to use one’s entire body in ways that do not place undue stress on the joints, noted experts at the APTA.
Beginning July 2, the toll-free hotline will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time. The hotline can be accessed by dialing 1-877-NEED-A-PT.
