PT denied by WC
 

I am not sure what to do. I was recently denied continued Aqua therapy by WC. Unfortunately, Aqua PT is the only PT that has helped me re-gain my basic mobility. In a matter of months with Aqua PT I have made substantial progress, although I still cannot walk great lengths unassisted or walk down stairs properly.

I hoped to continue Aqua PT for at least another month or two, with a goal to regain my stamina and my ability to hop, skip, jump, run, walk downstairs normally.

This is a big blow. In order not to lose ground I tried walking as an exercise with two canes, but it has caused me horrible pain in my RSD foot and ankle.
I have requested that PT file an appeal, but I am not sure this is something they routinely do.

I made an appt. with my PM doctor, but found out that even this may not be approved by WC.

I have no clue what happens next.

Bio, that is so upsetting:mad: I know how much aqua therapy has helped not just you, but has been shown to be very effective in restoring function for many patients with CRPS. I can't say what the next step would be, but if there is any way that your PT or yourself can show that aqua therapy is helping you at all, that may help some. I hope that things get straightened out and you are approved to start again.

Purple,
Today I investigated my local YMCA, which costs $50 dollars a month, which is exactly one half the cost of the PT gym membership. The pool there (not salt water) is not quite warm enough considering I have cold CRPS, but there is a sauna and steam room next to the pool, so I will be able to warm up quickly if I have to.

I will join, because it is a beautiful newly renovated facility and there is no other affordable local alternative with decent parking. I don't dare stop exercising.

Bio,

Kudos to you on your dedication to continuing your own "PT" despite the obstacles. I'm sure you have those exercises down well enough to go it alone. I agree that keeping up your exercise is imperative. Hold on to those gains. Every time I have an appointment with my PM I have to fill out the pain form and I consistently write "exercise and elevation" in the blank about what helps. It makes a huge difference for me too and I can definitely tell when I don't do it.

Hopefully the cooler water will not bother you too much. I don't know if keeping your core warm would help your foot or not, but you could prevent overall chill with a "shortie" wetsuit. I got one inexpensively at a sports store and with the shorter leg length it is easy to get on and off.

Just a thought. You might feel silly but I swim with full size pink dive fins so hey, whatever works! :D

Totally angry and annoyed. I received my denial letter today with the words "no significant progress and regression." Totally wrong. On eval the PT remarked that I had made significant progress, so much so that she wanted me to do land PT back to back with Aqua PT. I just don't understand what is going on.

The only regression I have had is what I mentioned above from attempting to walk too much on a foot that is not ready for it. Simply the wrong thing to do.

I went to the Y today and did my exercises in their pool. It is a bit too cold, but thankfully there is a sauna poolside that I used to warm up. All in all it worked out well.

Littlepaw thank you for the advice, regarding the pain form. :p love the dive fins! I am going to ask the PM for a letter recommending that I go to a gym for CRPS rehab and strength workouts, this way I can write off the dues on my income tax, plus the 150 from my health insurance will reduce the hefty yearly fee.:)

Edited to add: I received a Facebook message from my PT, who said she is putting in an appeal. She also said she does not understand why I was denied.

Thank you Bio for the update. I am glad to hear that your PT is putting in an appeal. What is going on with your WC just does not make any sense to me. Keep on fighting their decision and continue with the YMCA pool, if you can handle the cool water, until you are approved to start again.

If they do approve aqua therapy again, is there any way that you can be reimbursed for your expenses to continue on your own, such as your YMCA membership costs, which is the only pool available to you outside of your PT?

Purple,

It is unlikely I will be reimbursed, but I can try. Between WC and my delayed diagnosis it is almost a miracle that I have done as well as I have.