Barry received physical therapy at Therasport Physical Therapy in 2006 and again in 2011. He came in 2006 when he had a miniscus messed up, and he returned in 2011 after a knee replacement. Barry worked with Diana Rizza, PT, Jennifer Davis, DPT, and Amy Lynch, MPT. Here is Barry’s story, in his own words:
“In 2006, it went great. I couldn’t avoid surgery anymore by 2011; I knew in 2006 that knee replacement would eventually be needed. After my knee replacement in 2011, I started physical therapy somewhere close to work, but after six visits, I hadn’t made any improvements. So I came back here and begged them to take me back. They said they would help me — and they did. Before I came here, my doctor said I needed a change. My range of motion was 9 on a scale with 10 being bad. I got to a 2, close to a 1. When I came in, I could extend my legs on the table so that two hand widths could fit under my knee — when I finished, my knee was touching the table.
I worked with everyone here, and all the staff were really super to work with. They were intense, but always with a smile. Diana told me it would be harder because we were starting in the middle, so we’d really have to be on top of it. Now I am using some weights and exercises that Diana recommended. My least favorite part of therapy was getting stretched, and my favorite was when it was over every day. I was working, so the staff worked with me really well as far as scheduling.
It was probably 30 miles away, but it was well worth the drive. I can now walk without pain and walk up and down steps. If you don’t go to therapy after surgery, you are not going to get your full range of motion back. And there is a big difference in therapists. Just because they look small doesn’t mean they are not strong. I believe if you don’t get the care you need, you’ll start having other problems. For me, if I had kept walking the way I was, I would have trouble with my hip.”
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