Adding Up The Costs Of Physical Therapy Alternatives
on Thursday, November 7, 2019
Physical Therapy Can Have Similar Outcomes As Surgery
Academic research in medicine continues to suggest that, in some cases, physical therapy can be just as effective as surgery. As early as 2013, a New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) study found patients with a meniscal tear and knee osteoarthritis who opted for physical therapy had similar functional outcomes as those who opted for surgery.
7 out of 10 Preferred PT to Surgery
Forbes Magazine cited the study and had this to add:
“Patients who were given standardized physical therapy—individualized treatment and a progressive home exercise program—had the choice of “crossing over” to surgery if significant improvements were not demonstrated. Thirty percent of patients crossed over to surgery during the first six months. At twelve months these patients reported similar outcomes compared to those who initially had surgery. Seventy percent of patients remained with standardized physical therapy.”
The Extra Costs Included In Surgery
Physical therapy offers similar long-term outcomes to those of surgical intervention. Surgery requires additional inpatient expenses and prolonged recovery time. These long-term patient healthcare costs can be greatly reduced with physical therapy. For example, when you add up the average costs of one MRI, a series of injections, and a year’s supply of opioids you get a total upwards of $13,000 in treatment costs (read: PT vs. Opioids) and if you add the cost of back surgery, you could be paying $44,600 or more for treatment.
According to a doctor from the University of Michigan, you save money not just on back injuries, but also for the treatment of shoulder, knee, and neck injuries.
- For shoulder injuries, physical therapy patients saved 5 times the costs of surgery.
- For knee injuries, physical therapy patients saved almost 7 times the costs of surgery.
- For neck injuries, physical therapy patients saved over 10 times the costs of surgery.
Renew Physical Therapy Is Located In Southeast Portland
Renew Physical Therapy is an independent manual physical therapy clinic that was established in December 2015 by Michael and Heidi Cantwell. Our facility features three private treatment rooms and an open gym area to treat all our patients’ needs, including Auto and Work injuries. You can find us at 11010 SE Division Street in Portland, Oregon.
Visit our About Us page to learn more about our practice, clinic, and staff. Call us at 503.928.4914 to schedule an appointment.
Renew Your Body, Reclaim Your Life!
