UK Physio Perspective: Mehmet Gem
And, here we are, Hopeful Hippies back to the UK with a physiotherapist's perspective. Let me introduce to you, Mehmet Gem. He loves his job and that of supporting patients with all types of musculoskeletal concerns, but he also has an interest in treating hips!
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Why did you get into PT and how has your
practice as a PT changed over the years after working with patients?
My name is Mehmet Gem. I'm a hip specialist physio working within the private sector
within a hospital setting and within a gym. I've a huge passion for Sports Medicine of
all kinds and have worked as an MSK Physio my whole career. Having always had a
passion for all sports and playing many [sports] from a young age, I was always aware
of the role of a physio and what they do. Although when initially applying to [university]
I wasn't really sure the route I wanted to take. I initially had started off doing a Sports
Science degree as an undergrad but I soon realised that physio was what I wanted to
do, so as soon as I finished my undergrad I starts a Masters in Physio which was
another 2 years. I've been a physio for around 10 years now and have specialised in
hips for about 6 I would say.
2. It sounds like you have an area
of specialty in hip injuries and
surgeries. Tell me about some of
the benefits of that expertise
when helping people recover
from hip surgeries such as hip
arthroscopy and how it is
different from THA. How does
your knowledge help with hip
patients as compared to a general
orthopedic PT?
So rehab for patients who have
had hip scopes and THA differs
greatly as they both have quite
specific and different needs. Hip
arthroscopies have had a massive influx in
numbers (2005-2013 was about a 700% increase!!) and my interest initially came about
back in 2008 when I had my own hip surgery, that was essentially what sparked my
interest. Within the UK our orthopaedic physios tend to be ward based and will likely
only see these patients on the ward a few times and then refer on for outpatient
physiotherapy where they would see me and my colleagues. We would then gradually
guide and progress through a rehab programme that would be far more robust than
that of the exercises they would have been given whilst on the ward.
3. What is the best advice that you can give a patient leading up to an orthopedic
surgery? What about after?
Great question!! Patients need to be told everything and we must be transparent. We
need to highlight the fact that surgery may not work, it may make symptoms worse
and it is hard to 100% say it'll be successful as we don't have that luxury, though more
often than not thankfully it isn't the case. With hip scopes the pain after surgery is not
too bad if all has gone well, though with a THA it can be quite painful. Patients need to
know that. All too often they suspect that because the pain before was from bone on
bone, and that the old joint has gone the pain should have gone as well? When in theory that make sense, the process to get that the joint out and put a prosthetic one in
is a real significant process that the body goes through, and with that comes pain in
recovery. It's important to educate around that prior to surgery so that patients are not
put off post surgery due to the pain with the concern that it has not worked or that
they are doing something detrimental to the new joint. Fear avoidance of movement is
very common in all patients post op so it is important to address that pre-op and set a
positive minded approach right off the bat.
4. What are some things that a patient should make sure their PT understands if their
PT is not well versed in rehabbing patients with FAI.
It's hard to really answer this one. If a patient is having symptoms of FAI Syndrome or
if they have been diagnosed with FAI Syndrome, or even if they have had surgery for
FAI Syndrome, I do think they need to be seeing a physio who is experienced in dealing
with the pathology. Patients need a strong alliance with their physios and with that
comes the need of the physio to instill the patients with the confidence in their skill set
and management. It would be difficult for the patient to fully have trust or confidence
in if what they are doing is the right rehab, especially if they have any flares ups, when
they're aware that their PT doesn't tend to see these much. I would not think this
should be an issue. There are a multitude of areas within MSK Physio that I have