Deb woke from surgery with excruciating pain, “The worst I’ve ever had in my life,” said the mom of two adult children. While total hip replacements are fairly routine, a bone fracture during surgery is not. Yet, this was Deb’s reality.
Instead of walking out of the hospital like most patients, Deb faced six weeks of non-weight bearing. Living alone, she knew managing daily tasks like meal prep, getting around, and handling household chores would be challenging. Compounding this was the task of beginning her rehabilitation on a body part that was both painful and weakened from disuse.
From Persistent Hip Pain to Diagnosis
Deb’s journey began with pain in her groin. Wanting to be proactive, she saw a physician, was diagnosed with a muscle strain in her groin, and contacted Dr. Alex to address it through physical therapy. And it worked for a while. Deb’s online physical therapy with Dr. Alex got her stronger, more mobile and more active, but when her recovery plateaued and her pain was behaving more erratically, Dr. Alex recommended she return to that physician for more imaging.
Imaging is unnecessary with muscle-based injuries, and your physical therapist should have a good idea of how you should progress in recovering from these types of injuries. When your physical therapist feels your progress is not how they would expect, they can and should let you know. A good physical therapist knows they are a part of your healthcare team, and when another team member’s perspective would help, they aren’t too prideful to bring that person in.
An MRI revealed a labral tear and severe osteoarthritis in her hip, making hip replacement surgery necessary. Thanks to her pre-surgery physical therapy, Deb entered the procedure in a stronger condition, which is associated with better recovery outcomes.
Navigating a Challenging Post-Surgery Recovery
Post-surgery, Deb faced significant complications, including a femoral neck fracture, which required her to be non-weight-bearing for six weeks. This recovery period was both painful and confusing. Deb was grateful to have Dr. Alex providing crucial support along the way, reassuring her that her pain was a normal part of the healing process and that she would eventually walk again normally and without hurting.
The Critical Role of Physical Therapy in Recovery
Deb shared, “Dr. Alex helped me understand that my pain was normal and part of the process. I would get through it, and I would walk again without a limp.” Deb also indicated that, without this support and guidance, she would have felt depressed. Deb reflected, “One of the often ignored aspects of physical health is mental health. Working with Dr. Alex, I feel he addressed both my physical and mental well-being.”
Effective physical therapy also involves progressing exercises to align with the body’s healing stages. While hospitals provide initial post-surgery exercises, these need to evolve as recovery progresses. If your exercises are the same two days and two months after surgery, you aren’t progressing, and your recovery ceiling is lower.
At motivPT, we tailor exercises to meet each client’s specific needs, helping them reach their next phase and match the unique demands they will ask of their body. For Deb, this included learning how to get up and down from the floor, safely transitioning away from a walker, and regaining strength in her surgical leg so that she could eventually walk without limping.
The Benefits of Virtual Physical Therapy
Initially skeptical about virtual physical therapy, Deb found it surprisingly effective. Dr. Alex’s engaging personality and clear instructions on each assigned exercise allowed her to complete exercises from anywhere—whether at home, work, or her parents’ deck in Arizona. The flexibility and accountability of virtual therapy kept her motivated throughout her recovery. Knowing herself, Deb told us without the accountability we have in place, she probably wouldn’t have done the sheet of exercises the hospital gave her.
Where Deb Is Now
Deb’s dedication has paid off. Recently, she reported hiking 3.5 miles, taking stairs regularly, and not dealing with any day-to-day pain. Her success underscores how effective physical therapy is when you stick to it and dedicate yourself to the process. It also shows that you don’t need to do physical therapy in person to make major gains in your function, your pain, and your life.
What We Think at motivPT?
Deb’s story illustrates the transformative impact of personalized physical therapy. At motivPT, we are committed to supporting our clients through their recovery journeys and celebrating their achievements. Far more important than someone putting their hands on you, recovery comes from consistency, progression, communication, and commitment. These things will change your body, which will change your life; none of these things requires going into a clinic. Wherever you are, we are—that’s the power of doing online physical therapy.
If you’re on a similar journey to recovery, consider contacting motivPT. Dr. Alex is here to support you every step of the way, no matter where you are. Contact us today to learn how our virtual physical therapy services can help you regain strength and mobility.
At motivPT, we’ll get you moving in a healthy way. If you have pain, weakness, or imbalance, consider booking an online Physical Therapy routine customized to fit your individual needs. Book your free 15-minute consult to talk with Dr. Alex about your concerns and learn more about how we work!
