Introduction: Previous studies have demonstrated physical therapy (PT) to be an effective nonoperative treatment for various orthopedic diagnoses. However, patients may dismiss PT in favor of another intervention for their injury. While there are many studies on PT, there is little data on patient compliance. This study aimed to elucidate patient compliance with a basic PT prescription and whether PT led to subjective injury improvement.
Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients seen in Stony Brook Orthopedic clinics from 08/01/2022 – 12/23/2022. Patients prescribed PT received a phone call six weeks after the PT prescription. The primary outcome was patient attendance to PT. Secondary outcomes were whether the patient's symptoms were better, worse, or the same. Chi-square testing was used to compare outcomes.
Results: A total of 100 patients were enrolled in the study. Patients prescribed PT following surgery were more likely to attend than patients prescribed PT as a primary treatment (p-value=0.027). The association of attendance to PT and a change in subjective symptoms (better, worse, same) was not significant. Patients age, sex and duration of injury were not significant factors in PT attendance. Of the 40 patients that did not attend PT, 14 cited time constraints, 11 utilized self-directed treatment, 3 cited Insurance, 2 cited Transportation, and 10 cited other reasons.
Discussion: Overall, post-operative patients were more likely to attend PT than patients prescribed PT as a primary treatment. Factors such as age, sex and chronicity of injury did not affect whether a patient attended PT. Of the patients enrolled, 71% stated subjective improvement in symptoms, but there was no association between symptoms and PT attendance. This study highlights the characteristics of those patient factors that may influence PT compliance, and underscores the importance of further research into the population most likely to attend and benefit from PT.
