My Osteopath Asks Me a Lot of Questions!

 

Have you sometimes walked out of a consult with your Osteopath thinking,”Geez, that was more like an inquisition than a treatment?” Or, “My leg feels better, but I feel a headache coming on from all of the questions!”

Well, have a read of the following excerpt taken from The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. It may help shed a little light on why we are so thorough, or why we may recommend further investigation. (Even if you don’t think it’s necessary!)

“MISDIAGNOSIS OF COMMON FOOT AND ANKLE INJURIES MAY RESULT IN ARTHRITIS, CHRONIC PAIN AND DISABILITY.

 

Front-line physicians are advised to err on the side of caution and opt for additional imaging and second opinions when diagnosing six common foot and ankle injuries. A new study by orthopaedic surgeons finds misdiagnosis often results in poor long-term patient outcomes, including arthritis and disability.

Their clinical review outlines subtleties that complicate identification and treatment of snowboarder’s fracture (lateral talar process fractures) as well as os trigonum injuries, Lisfranc injuries [*Just ask Chris Reeves about this one!], turf toe, navicular stress fractures and syndesmotic injuries.”

 

*As a recent sufferer of a Lisfranc injury, I had an initial x-ray organised by the Emergency Department GP. It was fairly inconclusive in its findings. As a result, I was advised by both the GP and my orthopaedic surgeon to have a CT scan. The full extent of my injury was then revealed! With this extra intervention I then had a more definitive diagnosis. This meant the most appropriate action could be taken, in my case surgical intervention. Currently I am on the road to recovery, and am confident my collective team (surgeon, my fellow Osteopaths, my trainer – thanks Mike from Fitness is Fun!) will continue to steer me in the right direction.

So next time you think your Osteopath is asking a lot of questions, you now know why!

-Dr Chris Reeves (Osteopath)