7
No matter what kind of orthopaedic joint surgery you have, physical therapy will
most likely be a part of your postoperative experience. Whether you experience
an ACL tear, as Lily Brose did, or a rotator cuff tear, as you’ll see on the next
page, rest and rehabilitation are key to a successful recovery.
You’ll likely start slowly, with a passive workout (where gravity, a therapist or a
machine moves your joint for you). Gradually, however, you’ll progress to a more
active (using your own muscles) stretching and strengthening routine, according
to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
Your formal rehab program may last several months. If you want to keep your
joint in the best possible shape, however, you’ll need to turn the exercises you
learn into a lifelong habit.
“That’s one of the keys to a good outcome post-surgery,” says Todd Guthrie,
MD, one of Mercy Medical Center’s Orthopaedic Surgeons.
In fact, it’s No. 3 on his list of four important steps for a successful recovery:
1
Enroll in a rehabilitation program.
2
Follow through with the program as directed.
3
Incorporate the exercises into your regular routine.
4
Avoid heavy lifting and extreme movements, which could lead to reinjury.
Repaired rotator cuffs can tear again, Dr. Guthrie says. It’s more likely to
happen when the first tear was chronic—caused by years of degeneration—as
opposed to an acute, or sudden, tear.
One of the advantages of going through rehab is that you may have a better
chance of maximizing your function and minimizing your risk of recurrent pain or
problems, says Dr. Guthrie.
“We’re here for all active people in our area.”
—Lonnie Scott, Certified Athletic Trainer
Rehab after repair
in helping people of all ages and
ability levels play smart, stay safe
and return to their game should an
injury occur.)
“We’re here for all active people
in our area,” says Lonnie Scott, a
Certified Athletic Trainer who also
serves as Business Manager at the
Wellness Center.
According to Dr. Dotson, the team
focuses on three areas:
1.
Education and prevention.
Keeping an injury from happening
is the best sports medicine strat-
egy. This is accomplished through
coaches’ clinics, public presenta-
tions and individual instruction.
Female athletes, for example, are
at high risk for ACL injuries, like
those Lily Brose experienced. But
teaching them how to strengthen
their legs and land better when
jumping can make a big difference.
“It significantly reduces the num-
ber of injuries that occur,” says
Dr. Dotson.
2.
Sideline support for sporting
events.
This includes high school
athletics as well as community
events, like road races, Cowboy
Camp and the annual Red Bluff
Round-Up rodeo. Having trained
professionals at an event ensures
someone will immediately evalu-
ate any injury and get the injured
person to the most appropriate care.
3.
Surgical and nonsurgical
treatment.
When an injury needs
treatment, program staff provide
it. “Everybody here is top-of-the-
line,” says Dr. Dotson.
Sometimes that care includes
instructions for home treatment
or physical therapy. Other times,
as in Lily’s case, surgery and more
extensive rehabilitation may be
necessary.
Aidand inspiration
Lily is a strong believer in what
sports medicine can do for people.
Her experiences with Dr. Dotson
and others in the program have
nurtured a desire to become an
orthopaedic surgeon herself.
“They’ve helped me do things I
never thought I’d be able to do
again,” she says. “They give you
a lot of encouragement and a lot
of support just to keep going. It’s
something I’m forever grateful for.”
Dignity Health
