Many of my early mentors in the public sector we well into their late 50's and early 60's. I have seen many go through to retirement and not really wish to do so. Senior members of our profession are really needed. They hold senior posts on boards and committees and help many younger physio's starting out to work through those not so often seen patients with the rarer problems not seen let alone taught as an undergraduate.

I would say in general that someone who does a lot of manual work/manipulation for a few decades will perhaps move into other areas of specialisation or treatment provision. But they would not retire. I was only discussing this with a lady last week and we were talking about how PT's can really practise well into their 70's if they want to.

In general I perhaps see more senior PTs within the public sector, especially in neurology, orthopaedics, amputees, hydrotherapy etc where treatment is a team approach and less professionally isolated.

But in an age of equality and in a profession dominated by women it does seem a rather strange question to ask. Perhaps it is more a cultural issue rather than a physical one?