|
|
Hershey Physical Therapy Success Story
KINESIO TAPE
 Megan Nelson is 27 year old mother of two, a graduate of PA College of Art
and Design, a fine artist, and is employed at Universal Athletic Club.
Additionally Megan regularly trains and competes in a local Roller Derby circuit
with “Dutchland Rollers”. She drives a Toyota Camry with a large window sign:
“If you ain’t Dutch, you ain’t much”.
Megan strained her shoulder with a “whip maneuver” in roller blade practice,
and further irritated the joint arm wrestling. She was referred to Hershey
Physical Therapy with a diagnosis of tendonitis.
Her treatment at Hershey Physical Therapy included the use of a new product,
Kinesio Tape that has catapulted into
world wide attention in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Megan was enthused to try
Kinesio Tape
as a component of her Physical Therapy program. “I’m such a fan of the Olympics;
I knew what they were talking about before they said
Kinesio Tape. If it can help the
Olympians, it should work well for me. Physical Therapy has really helped the
shoulder. After just three weeks of therapy, I’m back to practicing with the
team, soon ready to resume competition.”
Her therapist, Rob Krause, PT stated that he used the tape as a component of
her early rehab to reduce inflammation and swelling. Additionally, the special
elastic qualities of this tape are helpful for dynamic support of the shoulder
and for additional stabilization as she returns to competition. “We have had
excellent results using this tape for sports and other orthopedic injuries
including tendonitis and bursitis” said Krause.
Practice owner, Henry Hershey, PT, explains that effective use of this new
product is just one more example of integrating cutting edge technology and
techniques with 26 years of experience in providing physical therapy service in
the Lititz community. “Experience our Advantage” says Hershey.
Hershey Physical Therapy Success Story-LOIS KREITER
Successful Conservative Care for an Arthritic Knee
 Lois Kreiter had a long history of chronic knee pain. It had progressively
worsened and caused her to consult with an orthopedic specialist. Knee x-rays
were taken that revealed a severely arthritic knee joint. The typical treatment
for this would be a joint replacement. Knee prosthesis will last a patient 10 to
15 years. The problem for Lois was that she was considered too young for this
procedure.
The solution recommended was to try a combination of Physical Therapy and a
series of injections called Synvisc.
Synvisc is an imitation lubricant that is
normally found in a joint. Arthritic knees have less of this lubricant and
therefore more friction and less shock absorption. A normal course of Physical
Therapy involves the combination of gentle stretching and exercise to the
surrounding muscles of the knee. This improves joint health and gives strength
and stability to the knee.
Lois went through the series of Synvisc
injections coupled with PT and her pain markedly decreased. However, she started
to develop new pain behind her knee cap. Through further assessment, a problem
was discovered with the tracking of her knee cap as the knee would bend and
straighten. This poor tracking was now irritating the under side of her knee
cap. The solution to this was a taping procedure known as McConell taping. With
this we realigned her knee cap and took the pressure of the underside. Within 2
weeks of wearing this tape her knee cap pain was gone and she was walking
without a limp and functioning at a higher level without pain.
The benefits of Physical Therapy and appropriate treatment methods can have a
profound effect on a degenerated knee. Lois’s case showed that treatment
protocols need to be adjusted on an ongoing basis for the best results. At
Hershey PT, patients have the benefit
of working one on one with a Physical Therapist at every
treatment session. We pride ourselves in taking the time to address an
individual’s needs for the best possible outcomes.
|
|
Hershey Physical Therapy Success Story
Accelerated ACL
Rehab
 Anyone who plays sports, whether recreationally or competitively knows that
there is always a risk of sustaining an injury. This became a reality for
Warwick senior Kaitlin Hershey. Kaitlin is on the volleyball team at Warwick
High School. While playing in a game on October 2, 2007, Kaitlin took an awkward
step and twisted her left knee. She felt a “pop” in her knee followed by searing
pain. She had immediate swelling in her knee and also had difficulty putting
weight on her left leg. She knew that this was not good. Kaitlin went on to have
an MRI on her left knee that confirmed this feeling. She had sustained a rupture
of her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) as well as tear to her medial
meniscus.
The ACL is a ligament located inside the knee
joint. It serves an important function in offering stability to the knee.
Without this ligament, the knee is susceptible to giving out and being unstable
with ambulation. The medial meniscus is a piece of cartilage that sits between
the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia). It provides shock absorption
between the tibia and femur and allows for smooth movement in the knee joint.
What this meant to Kaitlin is that in order to gain full function back in her
knee, these structures needed to be surgically repaired. On November 11, 2007,
Kaitlin had her ACL reconstructed and her medial meniscus shaved down and
smoothed out. Her road to recovery was about to begin.
ACL reconstruction is rehabilitation has changed
over the past 5 years. There have been advances in surgical procedures and
studies on the physiological healing of the repaired ligament. The time it takes
to recover from this surgery has become less. In the past a patient was
immobilized longer, range of motion was not pushed as aggressively, and
strengthening exercises were progressed much slower. The patient was not jogging
until 5 months post op. A return to athletics was typically in a year to a year
and a half. Current trends in Physical Therapy have taken a more accelerated
approach to rehabilitating this injury.
Kaitlin started her rehabilitation two days
after surgery. She presented to our clinic walking with crutches and locked in a
knee brace that allowed limited ROM. The keys in the initial phases of treatment
are to restore joint function while protecting the surgical repair. Within 3
weeks of beginning therapy, Kaitlin had full range of motion of her knee. She
was no longer ambulating using crutches. She continued to use a brace to support
the knee, but this was unlocked to allow full range of motion. As she entered
the next phase of recovery, her focus was on regaining strength, balance, and
coordination back in her knee utilizing weight bearing exercise as well. By 5
weeks she was walking without a brace with no visible limp. By 8 weeks Kailtin
had started a jogging program and had initiated light jumping with no pain or
adverse effects to her knee. Kaitlin continues to make great strides with her
recovery. With her current progress she can anticipate a return to athletics in
a total of 6-8 months.
At Hershey
Physical Therapy we are proponents of an accelerated ACL rehabilitation. Our
clinicians have experience in providing the proper guidance and instruction
necessary optimize a patients recovery time. We believe in restoring a patient’s
function in the most effective and efficient way possible. If you have any
questions concerning our approach to ACL recovery or any other services we
offer, please contact us at 717-627-1285.
|
|
|
|
|
HERSHEY
PHYSICAL THERAPY SUCCESS STORY
Uni-compartmental Total Knee Replacement
Featured Patient:
James G. Landis, President
The Peleton Group, Inc.
 Mr. Landis is a 57 year old active executive who enjoys competitive tennis and
long distance bike riding. His business requires international travel which
places additional stress on his knee. James sought an orthopedic consult when
the wear and tear of old sports injuries, overuse, and succession of birthdays
resulted in a decreased ability to participate in his desired activities.
A uni-compartmental knee replacement was suggested as the surgical solution to
his arthritic knee. For certain patients where knee deterioration is not too
advanced, the uni-compartmental knee replacement offers the advantages of less
invasive surgery, a smaller incision, less blood loss, and a faster recovery
time.
Results: James had a brief course of pre-op PT with instruction in
specific strengthening exercise. His surgery was performed 11/21/06 and was
followed by 12 post operative Physical Therapy visits.
Today at three and one-half months following surgery, James is riding his bike
150 miles per week. He has returned to recreational tennis and is prepared to
resume his international business travel.
Mr. Landis credits his commitment to exercise, excellent surgical procedure, and
effective Physical Therapy for his success in rapid return to high levels of
pain-free function following joint replacement surgery.
Interestingly, Mr. Landis, an avid bicyclist choose The Peleton Group as his
consulting business name.
Peloton, from the French language and bicycle world of the Tour de France is a
relatively new word in the English speaking world. Peloton is the group of
racing bicyclists bunched together for efficiency much as birds flying in
migration.
Riding or flying in tight formation creates the energy savings of drafting.
Bicyclists tuck in as closely as possible behind other riders. The riders in
front break the wind, creating energy savings of 25 to 30 percent for those
drafting behind the leaders. Leaders can switch as they tire, thus bicyclists in
a group can always out perform a single rider.
Imagine however, what it must be like to ride in a Peloton, propelling a bike at
30 miles per hour, with in six inches of the wheel in front of you. If your
wheels touch, instant disaster follows immediately, the whole team tumbles in
domino fashion behind your mishap.
To ride in a Peloton then requires competence, confidence, and communication.
This is an excellent model for business efficiency, and also for the
rehabilitation team following joint surgery.
The rehabilitation team includes the surgeon, the physical therapist, and the
patient. When each member performs his role, and communicates effectively with
the other team members, excellent surgical results are obtained in the most
efficient time frames. Mr. Landis returning to full, pain free function and
bicycling 150 miles per week just three and one-half months following surgery is
the type of result we expect at Hershey Physical Therapy.
If you have questions regarding the uni-compartmental knee replacement, to
schedule an appointment, or for any further information regarding Hershey
Physical Therapy Service, please phone 717-627-1285.
|
|
|
|
|
"Surgery
cancelled from operating room gurney"
Judith
Good - Lumbar Disc Herniation
A patient
in tears is always a memorable patient, so I clearly recall my first meeting
with Judy. She was referred to physical therapy for a back injury. Her low
back pain was minimal, but she complained of numbness through the right leg,
calf, and foot. Prior to our appointment, she had nerve conduction tests and an
MRI. A neurosurgical consult resulted in a diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation,
severe to the point that surgical correction was scheduled. She was referred
for pre-operative physical therapy.
As Judy
had only minimal back pain, her tears reflected another problem. Physicians had
given her conflicting medical advice. According to one opinion, she would
probably not get any worse while waiting for her scheduled surgery, and she
could go on a scheduled vacation. The second opinion focused on the risk of
further disc herniation, possibly to the point of weakness or even paralysis of
her leg.
Conflicting opinions and the risk of paralysis had reduced her to tears.
I
evaluated and found no leg weakness. I instructed Judy how to test for
progression of her symptoms including monitoring leg strength. I suggested
hourly stretches described by Robin McKenzie, PT to reduce lumbar disc bulges.
Cold pack and medication would help. Judy seemed much more in control of her
situation and left the clinic smiling.
Judy
returned ten days later and reported that she had tolerated the trip well. She
was able to enjoy vacation in spite of some continued back soreness. Her leg
symptoms persisted and she was seen for four additional PT visits. She continued
the McKenzie exercise program prior to her scheduled surgery.
At a six
month follow up call from our office, Judy reported that she had not seen the
surgeon until the day of surgery. In response to his questions, Judy reported
that her leg symptoms had improved to the point of no pain. The surgeon said;
"We are going to do something unusual here". He cancelled her surgery,
literally from the operating room gurney.
Hershey
Physical Therapy
Hershey Physical Therapist has had the
privilege of training with Robin
McKenzie.
THE ROBIN MCKENZIE INSTITUTE
CANADA
CENTRE FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDY
IN MECHANICAL DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY
|
|
| |
|
|
