To better Grady’s chances of a successful outcome, his surgeon had to embed a plate that ran from his elbow to his shoulder, fastened with half a box of deck screws. After returning home from the hospital, Grady was unable to straighten his arm or raise his hand above his nose. The pain he suffered was unbearable and all hope at returning to the water seemed lost. To Grady, this was the end of his sailing days. While recovery seemed impossible and a life of pain was imminent, the ATI Physical Therapy Murrells Inlet team knew exactly what had to be done to get this adventurer back on his sailboat.

From the moment treatment began, Grady was determined to put his injury behind him and get back to the ocean. Physical Therapists Gabrielle and Savannah from the Murrells Inlet, S.C., clinic were tasked with the challenge of giving Grady his life back. After his 10th week of therapy, Grady was able to straighten his arm, raise his hand completely above his head and has regained complete range of motion.

When we got word of this incredible story, we immediately got in touch with Grady to hear all about his treatment. Here’s what he had to say…

What circumstances led to you needing physical therapy?

Physical therapy was required after I had surgery to fix my compound fracture after I fell against a countertop. My right upper arm slammed against the counter and I broke my upper right Humerus. The injury was a compound fracture 23cm, almost one inch apart.

Were you hopeful that physical therapy would help get you back to sailing?

Having seen other people my age with shoulder injuries, I never expected to regain 100% range of motion again. After talking to some of the PTs, they generally thought I should gain most if not better than 80% back. I figured if I could gain at least 90% I would be doing great.

What was your treatment like? Was it tougher or easier than you expected?

Overall, my treatment was not as tough as I thought it would be. The first few sessions were difficult and I did have tears in my eyes, but I knew I was gaining ground and knew the finish line was getting closer and closer each and every treatment.

How has physical therapy helped you get back to life before the injury?

I knew if I was to come back better than 90%, I had to work harder. I bought the exercise bands that the PT’s use and used them at home when I wasn’t at the clinic. I had therapy two days a week at ATI and did three days at home. After 12 weeks, I was discharged from ATI and from my surgeon, Dr. Putman. I continued to use the bands at home as well as on my boat. I feel much better overall when I exercise. I have, through ATI, achieved 100% range of motion with my right arm and shoulder. Truth be known, I may even have better range of motion now than I had before because of my weekly exercises.

Was there anything in particular that stood out during treatment?

The PTs knew I wanted them to keep taking me to the limit every session and they did. I didn’t know how they knew my movement limits so one day I asked. The PT told me she watched my eyes, and when I squinted, she knew she was there. I thought that was funny and it worked for me!

How have things been since graduating from your PT treatment?

Great, simply great. Dr. Putman had to open my muscle up for the repairs so I’m still building strength in that arm. Today, I’m doing everything I would normally do, if not even better than before.

The post ATI Puts the Wind Back in Grady Honeycutt’s Sails appeared first on ATI.

Looking to our past, we can all agree that there are days in which we can never quite erase from our memory, whether good or bad. For retired law enforcement officer, Steve Deckelman, January 18, 2017 was one of those days, and one that would forever change his life. On that day, as Steve went about his daily routine, he unexpectedly suffered a right side pons brain stem stroke. Before we go on, it’s important to note that the pons is a part of the brain stem that regulates ones breathing rate and helps the transmission of signals to and from other structures in the brain. Hearing, balance, deep sleep and taste are also affected by the pons.

As a result, Steve lost all movement and function on the left side of his body. This included his fine motor skills and his ability to walk, talk and swallow using the left side of his throat. Steve never had imagined sustaining such a debilitating condition would remodel his fully-functioning and healthy lifestyle.

With much hope lost and the road ahead looking bleak, Steve put his last coin of optimism into the ATI Physical Therapy team at the Morris, Illinois West clinic. As fate would have it, through patience, strength and courage, Steve persevered, and had this to say, “I couldn’t have made a more beneficial decision to undergo PT [physical therapy] with ATI – they undeniably led me to better health. I never thought I’d be given a second chance like this.”

Steve underwent his extensive PT and occupational therapy (OT) treatment under the professional guidance of clinic director Dave James, MS, ATC, and Stephanie Rodriguez, PT, DPT. Given the nature of Steve’s condition, his treatment demanded uncharacteristic levels of discipline both in the clinic and out. Rather than us tell the story, we felt it was only necessary to hear it direct from Steve and his ATI support team, Dave and Stephanie.

Steve Deckelman (third from right) huddles with the ATI Physical Therapy crew who helped him through his treatment

(Photo Credit: Steve Deckelman)

What expectations did you have going into therapy?

Steve: My PT treatment gave me a sense of worth. The entire staff made me feel welcomed from day one; almost as if I was part of a big family. This really made a difficult and scary situation much easier for me to manage.  From day one, they were not easy on me, but firm.  I realized it was up to me to do the hard work, of course with their professional guidance, so I wouldn’t hurt myself.  I worked tirelessly, and each of the above-mentioned staff cheered me on, so I never got discouraged.  As my health progressed, their encouragement lifted my spirits and gave me even more desire to push myself.

What was your treatment like? Was it tougher or easier than you expected?

Steve: I had to relearn my balance and how to walk again, so PT was an exhausting three times a week. The hand therapy side had me relearning very basic fine motor skills by incorporating exercises that were specific to my needs and progressions. This had a huge impact in my success. Throughout my treatment, I fought like hell because even though it was very, very difficult, I did not want to let the staff down.

At what point during your treatment did you start noticing a difference in your health and physical strength?

Steve: I would say after a few weeks, and with the little signs of observable progression, it gave me even more determination to fight harder. The more I showed improvement, the harder I wanted to try, and the more I wanted to encourage others around me to join in.

In what ways has physical therapy helped you in your daily life?

Steve: It gave me hope that you CAN bounce back from a life changing event such as a stroke.  I apply this learning to my daily life, and continue to give my all no matter what I’m doing.  The level of motivation I received at the Morris West clinic, under Dave’s tutelage, was the real winner here. Without them, I’m not sure where I’d be.

How have things been since graduating from your PT treatment?

Steve: I’ve kept up on my program, and continue to be positive about my physical conditions. As a retired police officer, I always had great physical abilities, which have been diminished by the stroke. But ATI gave me hope, and a chance at a new beginning by helping me get some of my physical function back. They are truly my heroes. For those reading this, if you or anyone you know has/is dealing with the aftermath of a stroke, I highly recommend giving ATI a chance.

On the opposite side of the treatment table, ATI specialists Dave James, MS, ATC, and Stephanie Rodriguez, PT, DPT share their perspectives on Steve’s progressions and efforts throughout his treatment.

What stood out about Steve during his treatment?

Stephanie:  Steve had such a dignified attitude, commitment, and courtesy towards our team and other patients in the clinic.

Dave:  Steve was such a riot to have in the clinic.  He always made other people laugh and smile with his sense of humor. His determination was exceptional. He never gave up and was always positive.

What do you feel were the keys to Steve’s treatment successes?

Stephanie:  With Steve, it was important to continually address patient-centered goals and make each treatment session fun.

Dave:  I agree with Stephanie, but I’d also add that his determination and positivity really drove his success.  I can’t stress that enough.  He was so determined to conquer anything that we gave him to do, and conquer he did!

Given Steve’s high-energy personality, we want to hear some of the memorable moments through his treatment?

Stephanie: Aside from Steve’s infectious “can-do” attitude, I’ll never forget the time when he said that the wall on “PT” side of the clinic should be painted with Harley flames.

Dave:  Initially, Steve was being seen for OT and PT, so his commitment to time in therapy was great.  He was very positive through both courses of treatment.  At times, he would say, “I don’t know if I can do it, but I am sure going to try”, so that should give you an idea of the warrior Steve is. Adding to that, his genuine appreciation for when he was finished with therapy, his gratitude, and level of sincerity were a true inspiration for all of us. This is what it’s all about!

The post Former Police Officer Overcomes Debilitating Effects of Stroke Through Physical Therapy with ATI appeared first on ATI.

It was April 22, 2017, and Jacob and his wife, Rachel, were charging through their usual at-home routine, when suddenly, the unthinkable happened.

While Rachel was in a nearby room, she heard a loud, unfamiliar noise come from the kitchen where Jacob was. Instinctively, Rachel knew something didn’t seem right, so she rushed into the kitchen to find Jacob slumped over the counter unresponsive with no pulse. She immediately dialed 911, then proceeded to perform CPR on him, to no avail. When the EMS crew arrived, they were able to restore his heartbeat after two minutes of working on him. Soon after, he was transported to the hospital.

When Jacob arrived at the hospital, he was in an unstable condition and displayed signs of serious brain damage, which resulted from his brain being deprived of oxygen for close to 10 minutes. Medical staff had informed Rachel that he experienced a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and that his chances of powering through the damaging aftermath were bleak. It was at this moment that Rachel was faced with the dispirited reality everyone fears – losing a loved one. As the night went on, the odds continued to stack up against Jacob. With his body slowly losing the battle, strength and determination were all that remained as lines of defense.

Jacob fought relentlessly through the night, but remained unresponsive to the administered treatments. The next afternoon, still intubated, he awoke for the first time since the incident. Though encouraged, his medical team was still weary of what was left of his cognitive abilities since he went without a heartbeat for so long. As time progressed, Jacob’s body slowly began to show signs of improvement. And by nighttime, he was stable enough to be extubated. While this was incredible progress, Jacob still had a long road ahead.

Before we go any further, you may be wondering, how did this happen? Was it avoidable? As a child, Jacob had a history of minor cardiac issues; however, doctors cleared him seven years prior to the 2017 incident, so nobody saw this life-threatening event coming. Given the unpredictable nature of SCA, situations like Jacob’s are not uncommon.

Four days following the cardiac arrest, Jacob underwent surgery to have an ICD (internal cardioverter defibrillator) implanted inside his body. The ICD is intended to help monitor Jacob’s heartrate rhythm and if an abnormality in the heartbeat is detected, the ICD intervenes by sending an electrical shock to restore the heart’s rhythm back to normal function. By adding an ICD, Jacob was provided a little more security and safety. This also allowed him to steadily inch closer to returning to work and his normal routine, which medical staff initially projected to be about three months from the day of his surgery.

Destined to prove his medical team wrong, Jacob’s persistence and high-spirited attitude throughout his recovery afforded him the opportunity to return to work a few weeks after the operation. As if that was not a tremendous enough milestone, about a week later, Jacob began exercising (months sooner than projected), proving yet again ‘average’ was not in his vocabulary.

Given these recent achievements, about a month after returning to work, Jacob’s medical team cleared him for full activity. With just about everything crossed off his recovery checklist, one item remained – get back to driving. Three months into his recovery, Jacob did just that, and in his own words, “It was that moment that my freedom was fully regained”.

While miraculously being spared permanent brain damage, Jacob still incurred losses to his memory and reasoning skills. In fact, to this day he cannot remember anything the weeks leading up to and prior to the Cardiac Arrest. But that’s not to say that all was lost. Since the episode, Jacob continues to engage in daily brain and memory training exercises several hours a day, which has undeniably helped to sharpen his cognitive abilities.

Often times, individuals who experienced a Cardiac Arrest are reluctant to talk about it, however, the most effective way to manage the recovery process rests heavily on one’s awareness of the situation. It’s been said that roughly 80 percent of SCA survivors endure some form of a permanent disability, most commonly depression and other psychologically-related conditions. For Jacob, he did experience a period of depression after the incident, but luckily, it didn’t last for long.

“The most challenging hurdle to overcome was the mental aspect of my SCA,” stated Jacob. “I was lucky to avoid long-term depression, but I wonder how many others could have avoided longer-term depression if they had a support system like I did, who encouraged me to be open and seek the care I needed.”

Usually, most comeback stories stop here. But this isn’t your ordinary comeback story. It gets better!

Shattering every possible doubt was obviously not enough for Jacob. On the anniversary of his cardiac arrest, Jacob took part in a series of physically demanding strength, endurance and agility challenges. However, this adventure was more than a physical challenge for Jacob, it was an opportunity for him to raise awareness for the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation. And raise awareness he did!

To kick off his venture, Jacob completed a marathon – but not without a strained calf at mile three. He didn’t stop here. Three days later, Jacob went on to lift 100 tons in a remarkable two hours and 42 minutes – focusing only on front squats, deadlifts, bench presses and barbell rows to increase the difficulty.

In closing out the expedition, Jacob completed the 5050 push-up challenge in eight hours and 16 minutes. If you are not familiar with the 5050 challenge, it requires challengers to complete a set of 100 push-ups, then 99, 98, down to one.

“This was the last challenge, and at this point, I was drained mentally, but my drive and motivation, and a little help from my friends kept me on track,” exclaimed Jacob.

Doubling down on his efforts, Jacob also started a GoFundMe page to raise funds. Between this and the physical challenges, Jacob raised more than $1,700 for the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation.

Although the physical challenges are completed, Jacob’s mission to raise awareness is only beginning. With a near 10 percent survival rate across the nation for Sudden Cardiac cases occurring outside of a hospital, Jacob is stepping up as a motivational speaker to share his experience, raise awareness and educate others on the seriousness of this condition.

But his work doesn’t stop there. Jacob will soon be teaming up with local businesses and schools to help others become CPR certified.

“Things that happen in life are neutral,” exclaims Jacob.  “Whether they are good or bad, these things are a function of the meaning we connect to them. I don’t like to say, ‘I suffered a cardiac arrest’, instead, I say, ‘I experienced one’, because ‘experiencing’ something is neutral.  In the aftermath of this event, I am better rounded, happier, have better friendships, have a stronger marriage and feel stronger than I was before. This might have been a steep price to pay, but that doesn’t sound like such a bad outcome. The ultimate power of the human being is to tell stories, and in doing so, redefine events to make us better.”

Jacob’s story is a great reminder of how one’s perspective and drive can virtually transform an outcome, whether for better or worse. At ATI, we are proud to be by Jacob’s side as he continues his journey and hope this piece inspires you to make a positive difference in your life or others around you.

The post From Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivor to Advocate for the Cause appeared first on ATI.

Performing the simplest tasks at work soon became a struggle for Evan, so much that he began losing the ability to climb a ladder, run, jump and even walk. Terrified that he’d never recover from his injury, Evan looked to ATI for help.

Evan came to ATI’s Janesville clinic and met clinic director Ryan Kluck, PT, DPT, CSCS to see if there was anything that could be done. Together, they assessed the strength and mobility of his knee, set a goal and focused on rebuilding the muscles in his leg once a week for three months. As the weeks went on, Evan slowly began to regain his flexibility and strengthen the muscles in his knee. Therapy was tougher than anticipated, but Evan remained committed to working through the pain and never lost focus on making it to the finish line. Thanks to this commitment and the Janesville ATI team’s support, Evan was able to power through this incredibly misfortunate situation and get back to doing what he loves – riding on the open road – and working, of course.

Rather than us tell the story, it only made sense to hear it from Evan and Ryan directly. Enjoy!

What circumstances led to you needing physical therapy? About a year ago, I hit a deer on my motorcycle. Upon impact, its body hit my left side and tore the PCL in my left knee. I couldn’t afford surgery so I was stuck waiting to see what would happen. Over the course of two months, I began to lose the ability to go up and down stairs or get up from a chair without feeling pain. I also began losing the knee strength to do my job, so I knew something had to be done.

What expectations did you have going into therapy?

Going into therapy, I was confident I would regain most of the strength back in my knee, however, I was under the impression that the pain was there to stay. I also thought it was going to be expensive. As fate would have it, I was very mistaken, on both accounts.

What was your treatment like? Was it tougher or easier than you expected?

We first had to determine the strength and flexibility in my left leg compared to the right, so we started with some light flexibility and body weight exercises. As the weeks went on, I slowly began regaining my flexibility and muscles strength. Working on my tissues was also a huge part of therapy and Ryan found adhesion spots to work on every session. It was a lot tougher than I anticipated, but like anyone with a body limitation, working through it with a positive mindset was the most important thing I could do. With the help of Ryan and the entire ATI staff, making progress was easy, but there’s no substitute for hard work.

In what ways has physical therapy helped you in your daily life?

Physical therapy not only gave me my job back, but it also gave me my life back. I now have the freedom to run, jump and play sports again. Work is pain free and I no longer have to worry about the future anymore.

Was there anything in particular that stood out during treatment?

I really enjoyed how involved Ryan was e during my treatment. He was up to speed on everything going on and was fully invested in my development and helping me regain my strength. I was shocked at his work ethic and the undivided attention he gave me during every visit, especially since I wasn’t his only patient. This gave me something to look forward to every time and always made my experience a memorable one.

How have things been since graduating from your PT treatment?

Since graduating ATI, I’ve gotten a lot stronger and I’m an all-around happier person. Before my accident I had no idea what physical limitations felt like, so I feel like this was a taste of it. Since I’ve left [physical therapy] I have a new found love and appreciation for everything the ATI team does – they literally save lives.

To learn more on Evan’s progressions and efforts throughout treatment, we spoke with clinic director Ryan Kluck, PT, DPT, CSCS, to get his perspective on the recovery.

What were the biggest challenges during Evan’s treatment?

Evan was only able to come in once a week, so the biggest challenge was having him keep up with weekly exercises, without me there to watch his form and make sure that he was completing what was prescribed. He also has a very unique job requiring him to walk on very steeply pitched roofs, so trying to replicate the angles he has to navigate was a challenge.

What stood out about Evan during his treatment?

Evan was very motivated to get back to his prior level of function. He learned the exercises quickly and always had a great attitude towards the challenge that lay before him.

What do you feel were the keys to Evan’s treatment successes? 

I credit much of Evan’s successes to his positive attitude, determination and ability to follow the plan I set for him. He was always into exercising, so that helped him grasp the home program he had to follow. As his function improved and he could do more exercises, he became more motivated to get back to the workouts he was used to doing before his injury.

Are aches and pains getting in the way of your daily activities?

If simple home interventions are not helping to lessen aches, pains and discomfort, it’s time to see a physical therapist. Stop by your nearest ATI Physical Therapy clinic for a complimentary screening and get back to doing you.

The post The Ride of a Lifetime – Overcoming a PCL Tear appeared first on ATI.

Rewind to March 22 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford where Wayne was cheering on his daughter’s high school softball team. Midway through the game, Wayne unexpectedly went into cardiac arrest. Fortunately, Haley and the other first responders were at a nearby field when they learned what was happening. Because of this, they were able to spring into action and ultimately save his life.

To hear how everything unfolded that day at the park, we met up with Haley to learn more about her role in saving Caldwell’s life.

What events led up to you receiving special recognition from the Mayor and City Council?

I was working a baseball tournament at Choccolocco Park when we heard a loud scream from a nearby softball field. Myself and three firemen ran to the scene and found Wayne Caldwell laying on the ground. His son was next to him and informed us that he had just fallen and was unresponsive. One of the firemen on site was a certified paramedic/EMT so he rushed in to administer CPR. Meanwhile, I ran to get one of our AEDs onsite and called 911. We continued administering the CPR and AED process until EMS arrived about 10 minutes later. He was then transported to the local hospital, until he was stable enough to be transferred to UAB where he stayed in the Cardiac ICU until about mid-May. Interesting enough, Mr. Caldwell was my principal in middle school, so it was even tougher to see this unfold.

What role did you play in this situation?

Once we discovered what was happening, I went to retrieve the AED and handled the communications with 911. After that, I assisted in anything the firefighters needed from me. Once we had Caldwell in the ambulance, the park staff and myself removed everyone from the scene so they had a clear path to exit the park.

How did your training help prepare you for this?

I have been certified in CPR and AED use since I was 16 years old. I must admit that I have been lucky enough that I never had to use these skills – well, until now.  Adding to this, fortunately, in my profession we must reobtain our certification every year, so that helps with keeping our skills sharp. I also wrote our park’s emergency action plan and had recently updated it before the events of that night took place, so thankfully, I was well prepared for a situation like this. I honestly don’t know if I was ever truly prepared for the events that took place that night, but I was truly grateful for all the training I had received in this field.

What does this accomplishment mean to you?

I was surprised by all the attention that we received from this event. I know for myself, I was just doing my job that night. I work out at the park every day and I truly just want to help people. I am so grateful that we all could come together to help play a role in his survival.

If you had any advice for other ATCs, what would you tell them?

Being aware of your surroundings when you’re at work is key. One of the main things that helped that night was getting the AED quickly and having several trained people who knew what they were doing to help. Another piece of advice would be to trust the expertise of people around you. We had several setbacks that night, such as a locked AED room and EMS taking longer than normal to respond, but we all worked together and knew how to work around these adversities to still meet our goal.

Had Haley and fellow responders not been on site to help revive Mr. Caldwell, there’s no telling what the outcome could have been. We are beyond proud of Haley’s efforts that day and for taking the initiative in protecting the lives of others. That’s ATI!

The post ATI’s Haley Boyd Recognized by Mayor and City Council appeared first on ATI.

Here at ATI, we are often times the first line of defense in helping others get through these difficult times, so we put in every effort in making our family yours. With that, we do whatever it takes to help our patients no matter what obstacles stand in the way, because that’s what family is for, right?

In driving home this pledge, not too long ago, our team was tasked with defying insurmountable odds with Aidan Young, who was a micro preemie born at 23 weeks. Due to bilateral brain bleeds that occurred a week after birth, he was diagnosed with moderate spastic hemiplegia, a form of cerebral palsy. This condition weakens movement by impairing the ability of the brain to send the proper nerve signals to the muscles.

In Aidan’s case, the entire left side of his body was impaired significantly by cerebral palsy. In an effort to help Aidan improve his skills and weakened motor functions, his family received disheartening news. The neonatologists taking care of Aidan told them that he would never be able to walk due to the severity of the bleeds he suffered at birth. With the odds stacked against them, Aidan and his family refused to give up and chose to continue fighting. It was this moment, that Aidan’s parents decided to seek out the ATI clinic in Southeast Indianapolis and see what could be done to help Aidan.

Aidan underwent extensive physical therapy under the professional guidance of clinic director Megan Burnett and physical therapy assistant Andrea Smith. Thanks to their patience, dedication and care, as well as Aidan’s willingness to power through all challenges, Aidan and his family were given news they never expected to hear – Aidan would be able to walk again! And walk again he did – a feat medical professionals said wouldn’t happen.

We recently meet up with Aidan’s mother, Gayle Buttram, to learn more about this incredible journey through the impossible. Here’s what she had to say…

What made you choose physical therapy over other treatment options?

Initially, we tried an early intervention program, but didn’t achieve the outcomes we were hoping for. Soon after, I reached out to Megan about my frustrations, which is when she informed me of her experience in pediatric therapy through her clinical rounds at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. And since our developmental Pediatrician at Riley Children’s Hospital believes strongly in early intervention, especially with her micro preemie patients, she was confident that we would see better outcomes for Aidan once we got him in to see a therapist, like Megan. It was then that we knew Megan was the right person for the job!

Were you concerned that the outcomes of physical therapy wouldn’t help Aidan walk?

Plateaus are scary, especially when you think your child might not achieve a skill that is a necessary part of “normal function.” Plateauing was the aspect of therapy that intimidated us the most. I knew that Aidan would master some skills but I was more concerned about him plateauing and not being able to move forward. Megan was awesome at this point in our journey. She educated us that sometimes patients, especially pediatric patients like Aidan, need a little bit of a break because we throw so much information at them that they need time to process it on their own. Our progress was slow at times. Aidan suffers from Moderate spastic hemiplegia so the entire left side of his body is affected by CP and he is so spastic sometimes that it becomes difficult for him to move. Megan powered through with his treatment and just adjusted his sessions based on how he was doing each day.

What was treatment like for Aidan? Was it tougher or easier than expected?

Treatment was rough in the beginning. Aidan started therapy very early, around age 1, and he was not able to verbalize his desires and/or needs with us. Some sessions we made great strides and in other sessions we made minimal improvements. The best part of our experience is that Megan was always so optimistic about Aidan’s outcomes. She really believed that he would one day master the skills we were working on with him no matter what type of session we had.

How has Aidan been since graduating from PT treatment?

Aidan has improved by leaps and bounds since our last session with ATI. He now walks (well mostly runs) everywhere that we go. He receives therapy services as a part of his individualized educational plan through school, and we do go to a pediatric outpatient clinic once a week. He still has minimal use of his left hand and he walks with assistance of bilateral ankle-foot orthosis (or AFO), but when we started therapy, we were anticipating that we would need a reverse walker to get around once he became mobile.

What have been key takeaways through this experience? What advice do you have for other parents with children dealing with similar conditions?

One key takeaway from our experience is that the road is never easy but it is so worth traveling. Having a child with needs that are considered “outside of the norm” can completely blindside and overwhelm you. Megan made it a point to let us know that we were all in the journey together. She was truly invested in Aidan being able to live as normal of a life as possible. Sometimes it is easy to feel like you can’t handle the stress of having a pediatric patient like Aidan, but to see the joy they express at being able to complete a task as simple as walking or riding a bike for the first time is such an emotional experience.

From his birth, we were told that “he wouldn’t” or “he can’t” because of his early arrival and the brain bleeds that followed. Through our experience with ATI, we were shown that miracles happen despite projected outcomes. I would tell other parents to never give up, it sounds so cliché but I truly believe it. We don’t know our outcomes until we try and if we never try we will never achieve anything different than what was originally predicted for us.

To completely understand how important of a role ATI had in Aidan’s recovery, we also met with clinic director Megan Burnett to hear about her experience with Aidan and his family.

What preparations were made to make Aidan and his family feel confident in the treatment?

Aidan was seen twice a week and I made sure that I was the treating therapist at all times. I made sure each family member knew me and our goals for each therapy session.

What were the biggest challenges during Aidan’s treatment?

Aidan is the sweetest boy you will ever meet and he quickly makes you fall in love with him. Some of the biggest challenges we faced was resistance to therapy. In some sessions, if he was too tired or if we were working on tasks such as crawling we had to be very patient and give him space to try and grasp the task at hand. This was challenging because we all hate to see a child struggle, but I knew he would master the task at hand if we gave him the space to fail and then learn.

What were the keys to Aidan’s treatment success?

Aidan’s family made it a point that they were doing therapy daily with him at home. They were constantly taking videos and pictures so I could see how he was functioning at home. The persistence with his home exercise program allowed for him to master goals in therapy. Another key to his success was the relationship we were able to build. Aidan trusted me and we had fun playing together. He responded well because it was play to him, but developmental gains per my definition.

What advice would you give a parent with a child needing PT?

I would say call around and find a therapist that is knowledgeable and can commit to building a relationship with the child. Know that therapy may be a slow process depending on the child’s deficits and this relationship between therapist and child will only improve if the child is working on HEP and committed to coming to therapy appointments. Lastly, trust that your therapist cares deeply for your child and will do anything to see them improve.

The post ATI Physical Therapy Helps Child with Cerebral Palsy Take First Steps appeared first on ATI.

As a high-level soccer player, Lauren’s love and passion was always on the field. Nothing could get in her way until one drive would change her life forever. In what should’ve been like any other day on the road, Lauren was involved in a head-on collision leaving both her legs broken. Thankfully, she survived the violent car accident, but would be faced with a new challenge – learning to walk again. Scared and fearing the worst, Lauren put her trust and future in the hands of ATI Physical Therapy.

After undergoing four surgeries to repair a right tibial plateau fracture and a left tibial shaft plateau fracture, Lauren began therapy at ATI in Puyallup, Wash., where she would meet Amy, Jason, Ian and the team. For the first eight weeks, Lauren spent therapy in a wheelchair, working on strength and range of motion for her legs, ankles, core, hips and upper extremities. Within the first few months, Lauren was already beginning to show progress and began more challenging activities to improve her core strength and work towards her eventual goal of running and playing soccer.

As therapy progressed, Lauren was able to return to work, but was asked to transfer clinics to maximize her visits. As advised, Lauren continued therapy at ATI in Bellevue, Wash., where she met Suzanne and received treatment on a more consistent basis. As the number of visits increased, so did the results. Since graduating therapy, Lauren has returned to her love on the field and plays soccer three to five times a week.

With every great story, there is a great outcome. For Lauren, she overcame all fear and was able to walk away from the injury, forever changed with the help of her new friends at ATI. With Lauren’s great outcome, we felt that the best way to hear her story is in her own words.

Lauren Rader (bottom right) huddles with her friends after finally returning to the soccer field. (Photo Credit: Lauren Rader)

What circumstances led to you needing physical therapy?

I was in a horrible accident a little over two years ago. It was a head on collision. My legs were severely broken. I was in the hospital for almost a month and had over four different surgeries. I came to ATI with scary-looking legs.

What expectations did you have going into therapy?

I entered therapy with a very negative attitude, but left everyday a little more positive. I was so angry and in so much pain that every morning it took so much to get me out of bed. One of my reasons for getting out of bed was that I was going to be going to ATI for physical therapy. Ian and Amy motivated me to stay strong.

There are always people in our lives that inspires us to do our best. Amy inspired me to do my best. Every day I found myself more determined to get back to soccer. I honestly don’t know what I would have done if Erica hadn’t answered the phone and if I hadn’t worked with Ian and then Amy. Amy is more than amazing — she is one of my heroes.

What was your treatment like? Was it tougher or easier than you expected?

I started out in a wheelchair. One leg was in a cast the other was in a leg brace. Both legs have metal and the pain has and will always be there. Everyone knew that, but that didn’t stop them from pushing me to get back to life. Was it tough? Yes, but that was so I could get better. If they would it made any easier, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

At what point during your treatment did you start noticing a difference in your health?

I will never forget when I got to walk on the treadmill, when I was able to kick a soccer ball and jump on a block all for the first time. Those are just a couple of the goals that we made, but there were always new goals (running, jumping, stairs, etc.). The fact that they kept making new goals for me was awesome.

In what ways has physical therapy helped you in your daily life?

Physical therapy was a huge part of my life. I needed to be able to walk again and play soccer just as much. I woke up and counted down the days and hours to when I had a PT appointment, then the days until I could play soccer. I don’t need help getting anywhere anymore. I can do whatever I want and if I need help that means everyone else does too.

Was there anything in particular that stood out during treatment?

Amy, Ian, Suzanne and Jason — everyone had faith in me. They pushed me and never gave me time to think I couldn’t do something. Amy and Jason knew it was time for me to leave Puyallup. I was living too far away so they went out of their way to find me someone much closer to me. Jason drove down here to meet with me and Suzanne. I was so scared and nervous. In the end, I was so lucky. Suzanne plays soccer and was ready to keep me going. Two different locations with the same goal.

How have things been since graduating from your PT treatment?

I am playing soccer and running 5Ks. I play at least three days a week and have ran three 5Ks since I finished PT. I wake up every morning in pain and I go to bed in pain, but that doesn’t stop me. The ATI team has done a ton for me and I want to show them I was worth their time. I will never quit until I cannot stand the pain and surgeons tell me to stop. I talked about how hard it was not playing two or three games a night. We all get older and can play less, it just happened a little sooner for me. So I am very happy. There are random road blocks in everyone’s life. For this one, I had to jump on even when it hurt.

To get a better understanding of the role ATI had in Lauren’s recovery, we spoke with Amy Tevis, PTA, to hear about her experience in Lauren’s journey.

What were the biggest challenges during Lauren’s treatment?

Lauren was very scared and angry about her situation. She was very negative and not willing to accept anything we had to offer initially. She was convinced she would never walk, run or play her beloved sport of soccer. She had many issues with her appearance and people staring at her and looking at her legs. Most of the first two to four weeks of her initial therapy was to gain her confidence, improve her overall outlook for the future and start the rehab process with small successes. One of the biggest successes initially was to get her to come into the gym and be around other patients.

What stood out about Lauren during her treatment?

I could tell Lauren wanted to get better, she just had to believe she could. She was and is a fighter, all we had to do was to show her how to succeed. Once she believed she was improving and could see the improvement, she blossomed and became a fierce, determined young woman. I will never forget the first day she was able to walk with the walker. With tears of pure joy — and some pain — her mom was here to videotape while the entire clinic celebrated her accomplishment. Lauren was always appreciative of what we were doing for her but now she was willing to try anything put forth in front of her. She was not going to look back now.

What do you feel were the keys to Laurens treatment successes?

Positive reinforcement and pushing her to do the things I knew she could do. Pushing her to the edge of her comfort zone, but always allowing her to succeed. She needed tough love or someone to “get in her face” about negativity. Lauren truly is a great success story, one I am most proud to have had a hand in. To this day, I am her biggest fan.

Are aches and pains getting in the way of your daily activities?

If you have sustained an injury and are unsure of the steps needed to get back to life before the injury, stop by your nearest ATI Physical Therapy clinic for a complimentary screening and get back to doing you. Our team will assess your injury, provide next step suggestions in care and get you on your way!

The post One Story, One Great Outcome — How One Patient Overcame Two Tibial Fractures appeared first on ATI.

ATI queried data is from ATI’s Patient Outcomes Registry, part of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Registry of Patient Registries¹. The ATI Patient Outcomes Registry data is collected through ATI’s proprietary electronic medical record system. The data is automatically gathered in real-time and is archived for analytical and scientific use—allowing clinicians to focus on their patients, not data entry. The ATI Patient Outcomes Registry provides ATI the opportunity to analyze outcomes, trends and key statistics of patients over time with the intention of improving the healthcare system and the patient experience.

¹Registries are vetted by the U.S. Government and do not contain any Protected Health Information, but rather aggregate findings to discover trends and presentations.

The post An Analysis of ATI Physical Therapy’s Senior Patient appeared first on ATI.

For Olympic runner and Boston native Abbey D’Agostino, this fear became a reality following a devastating injury during the 5k preliminary at last year’s Olympics in Rio. A chain-reaction fall with New Zealand’s Nikki Hamblin shattered Abbey’s hopes of bumping shoulders with world greats in the main event. But that didn’t get in the way of Abbey doing something that truly embodies the spirit of an Olympian. Most of us now know Abbey for her selfless act of sportsmanship when she, in apparent distress, turned back to help Nikki to her feet when the two tangled to the track. Due to her own injuries, Abbey was, in turn, helped by Nikki, as they leaned on each other to finish the race, both embodying the true Olympic spirit.

Nikki Hamblin turns back to help Abbey D’Agostino after the initial fall where D’Agostino assisted Hamblin to her feet
(photo credit: Ian Walton/Getty Images)

Despite being far out of contention in the race, officials announced that both racers would advance into the final. Unfortunately, Abbey’s injury forced her to withdraw from participating in the final, but her act of heroism gained more notoriety than all the medals in the world could ever offer. Following the event, doctors discovered that Abbey had sustained a complete tear of the ACL, a meniscus tear and a strained MCL – which are seen as a rarity in her line of work.

Given the uncommonness of her injury, the road to recovery was set to be all but common for the Olympian. Following her surgery, Abbey chose to undergo physical therapy at ATI with Carl Gustafson PT, ATC, LAT, CSCS, which to her sincerest appreciation, has been a life-changing opportunity that has helped restore hope, strength and functional independence for the Olympian. As the year mark approaches since Abbey’s injury, we had the opportunity to catch up with her to see how recovery is going and what’s next for the running icon.

With the stakes so high in the recovery phases of the injury, how did you select ATI for your rehab? 

Where I would get the surgery done was actually the most important piece of my decision. I wanted all of this to be close to the community and close to my family. That’s really what kept me in Boston. I ended up choosing a surgeon that I had known and worked with before at Boston Children’s. I actually asked for his opinion on PT because I had seen several options in the Boston area. My surgeon, Dr. Minindar Kocher, could not recommend highly enough Carl Gustafson at ATI. He is just fantastic.

ACL and meniscus tears are often seen as a rarity in track and field, because of this, were you concerned that the outcomes of surgery and physical therapy wouldn’t get you back to 100 percent, or worse yet, competition?

In all honesty, no. While it was a bit intimidating and overwhelming to realize that there was not really a precedent for this sort of injury among distance runners, it was also sort of liberating. There were no expectations that I really implicitly or explicitly had to meet. It was freeing.

I know that obviously a human body at age 24 – my age when it happened last summer – is a lot more resilient. But running as a person of faith, I also just felt a deep sense of purpose right when it happened. I really see running and this profession as a calling.  I frequently sense that my ability to run and utilize this gift that I have been given has enabled a high sense of fortitude, so I’m not done yet. I think everything that went down, no pun intended, in Rio, was just part of this larger plan that God had for me in this space. Even when it happened, I always sensed that I would be back in due time. It might take a while, but I will be back to compete at that level again.

The road to recovery for these particular injuries can be exhaustive, but you seem to be conquering it, how has physical therapy helped you through this? 

I think exhausting and excessive are very appropriate words. When I really think about this, it is the emotional and psychological piece that is the most exhausting. It’s the uncertainty of the process. I’ve been in this mode of accepting the reality that I only have the day in front of me and that I can’t plan beyond it. I’m not sure how I’m going to feel a week from today. Having Carl at ATI, this community and the wisdom of people in whom I can trust, along with their own personal experience, has just given me peace within that uncertainty and within the process.

Having this support network and understanding that they have seen this and they know what to expect from this – both the physical and the mental piece of recovery is very comforting. Just them saying, “this is normal for you to feel this way today”, was important to hear. Having people in whom I can really relate and speak to, was just so crucial in providing me peace in those tedious and exhausting moments.

You’ve endured a lot getting to this point in your recovery – how far along would you say you are in the process? Are you back to running 100% or is it a measured approach?

Just like anything else, it’s kind of been nonlinear. I think structurally, my knee is great. Recovery has gone super smooth. Once I was back hitting the ground, there was certainly an adaptation curve, however. I was back doing regular distance runs and pretty much normal training until I strained my hamstring a few months back.

This strain reminded me that because I’m an elite athlete, it does not exempt me from the way the human body heals. It takes a certain intensity of both running and cross training to compete at this level. I have to be realistic that it takes a little bit longer. I have to give it a little bit more time for my body to adapt to that intensity.

My hamstring strain was not unrelated to the surgery. I didn’t have 100% flexion in the side of that leg yet. My posterior was a little bit more compromised than it was on the other side I wasn’t even nine months post-op and running at almost race pace, so it makes sense now. In retrospect, I would be susceptible to something like that.

How soon after surgery and starting physical therapy were you noticing major results/improvements in your recovery?

Coming into this, I never had surgery before. I had long-term bone injuries, but they are scripted in how you come back within eight weeks. This was very different. I think there was certainly a kind of a leap in my rehab throughout the first few months. I don’t think I was truly able to appreciate those leaps and the marvel of our bodies and ability to heal until I was back running on the ground again, which was around January.

When I initially got the surgery, I was under the impression that I’d have to do gate retraining and fully teach my body to run again. But it’s just amazing. Once you get the neuromuscular connection going again I was shocked at how quickly I was able to pick it up and feel like myself. I’d say it was more around January I started noticing improvements, which was five months post-op.

It’s been said that the mental part of the process often times outweighs the physical aspects, would you say this is the case, and what has been your strategy in keeping such a high spirit through this process?

Honestly, it’s an equal balance between the two. The uncertainty of the process has undoubtedly been one of the trickier aspects to manage. One of the best ways I’ve found to overcome the mental pressures is to look at the end game, but also recognize that we can gain value from being in the present as well. It’s an intricate balance. I have to see this light at the end of the tunnel and use it to motivate me, but at the same time, I’m here for a reason. How can I really be a student of this process? Adding to this, I always focus on the calendar and say to myself, “Ok I’m at 40% today, so I’m going to expect 40% of myself and that’s it”. I believe you can have peace and joy at 40% if you have that perspective.

How important was your PT in this process. Can you talk about that relationship and your recovery process?

One absolute benefit and lesson that has been imparted to me through this whole process is the value of recovery – not just through the sake of my knee right and not for this isolated period of time, but as a whole. Being in recovery and taking whole days off is not only necessary, but it’s a valuable part of my training.

Taking time off used to feel like a punishment to me. It still does… sometimes, but I think through Carl and his conservative approach to PT it’s the right thing to do. This element has just been such an asset to the way I view rehab and recovery, in general. It’s necessary to incorporate rest and time off within my rhythm of training, and not just for moments in my career when I’m injured. Even beyond the physical part of it, the psychological and emotional aspect of the community at ATI is so important and effective. Just having the encouragement there two or three times a week makes a tremendous difference.

[Speaking to the ATI clinic] I love the setup of the entire clinic For example, the way that all of the tables are setup in one room and all of the machines, you have access to other people who are on the same journey of all ages, and backgrounds. There’s just this air of lightheartedness and this fun kind of atmosphere and the accountability.  I think is so important, especially during these times of isolation and loneliness.

In addition, the relationships that I started with Carl and the other members of the staff was a tremendous benefit.  Learning about their lives and building relationships, that’s a huge part of keeping your mind off of the drudgery of the injury at hand.

What have been some key takeaways through this experience, what tips can you pass on to others?

Staying engaged in community, not just with PT, but with people in general through the process of having an injury or feeling a hardship in general is extremely valuable. Also set realistic expectations.  Put things in the right perspective. For example, if you’re 10 days after surgery and you’re 10% of normal functioning, then that’s all you should expect from yourself. Feel thankful for where you’re at, set small goals and keep measuring progress. Keeping track of progress is really important so you can look back and see how far you’ve come. That’s huge in keeping your spirits high.

Has this injury given you a different perspective on your career and the sport?

While running is a passion and a joy for me, it’s also bigger than that, it’s a calling. It means I get to be a steward of this gift that I feel I have been given. But it is also important to have a support structure and identity outside the sport. Having that foundation outside of the sport world is what allows me to see it from a fresh perspective and see it from this lens of, “Ok, this isn’t about me, it’s about being a steward of this gift that I’ve been given. The best way that I can do that right now, for some reason, is to be injured and to help others through conversations like this and just sharing this message of “How do we manage times like this in our lives”?

Once you receive the all-clear to run competitively again, is there anything specific in your career you’d like to focus on? 2020 Olympics? 

In track and field there’s a big emphasis placed on the IAAF World Championship that takes place every two years. Unfortunately, it took place this summer in London, so regrettably I wasn’t able to compete in it. But the bright side is that there will be another championship in 2019, so that’s the next big goal of mine. Even if there isn’t a big international championship, there are always highly prioritized, high-caliber races over in Europe, so that’ll be the goal in the interim.

While not everyone is the caliber of runner or athlete like yourself, what advice could you give someone that is going through physical therapy for themselves?

Something I was thinking about that applies to PT or anything like that, is that the reality is so humbling. You can talk about being tough mentally until you’re blue in the face, but not one of us is exempt from doubt and negative thoughts. Injuries tend to magnify our limitations and people don’t like that. But it is in those difficult moments and situations when our weaknesses are exposed, that we become teachable.

I’ve found through this process and others, that these experiences only make us better if we allow them to make us better. If we surrender to the process and let the process become a teaching vehicle, we begin to learn things that we might have been closed off to before. Whether it’s appreciating the human body and its stability when we are healthy, developing patience, or gaining the ability to empathize with others who are chronically limited, this is something that is learned through experience.  To decide to not see the experience with bitterness, but to actually allow it to change you in a positive way is really a conscious decision, but it’s a decision I haven’t ever regretted.

The post Catching up with U.S. Olympian Abbey D’Agostino and her Road to Recovery through ATI Physical Therapy appeared first on ATI.

This 48-year-old has been active his whole life – golfing, mountain biking, water skiing, wakeboarding, snowboarding and amateur road-racing just to name a few. So, while he has to slowly give up most of these activities due to his back pain and surgery, he wasn’t going to do it without a fight!

Don’s GET THERE Story

Don had been dealing with degenerative disc disease, and the pain that accompanies it, for years.  While he tried to stay as active as he could, the pain eventually began to take over.  “2012 was my worst year,” said Don.  “I tried to avoid surgery as long as I could.  Physical therapy and shots would help short term, but wouldn’t last.  So, with the encouragement of my wife of 20 years, and a referral to a neurosurgeon from a friend, I decided to have surgery again – a lumbar fusion – on September 30, 2013.”

Both before and after surgery, Don went for physical therapy at ATI’s Bolingbrook South clinic in Bolingbrook, IL.  His therapist, Dawn Williams, has been inspired by Don’s dedication to his rehabilitation.  “Don is incredibly motivated and determined. He refuses to allow his metal to impact his life. He continues to stay active and positive, living life to the fullest. Don is an inspiration for all patients requiring any major surgical intervention to improve quality of life.”

“Physical Therapy has given me my life back,” says Don.  “I was in therapy before surgery, went back three days after surgery, and the progress has been great! The personalized care I received at ATI is the main reason.  There is such a value is seeing the same person each visit, and building trust with my therapist.  She really cared about me.  She kept me on track and kept me coming.”

Don’s Back on Track – for Diabetes

While Don isn’t wakeboarding or mountain biking anymore, he is back and better than ever.  On Sunday, June 8, 2014 he participated in a 100-mile ride for Tour de Cure in Chicago, IL on team “Riding for Peanuts.”

Participating in this ride, which benefits the American Diabetes Association, had a dual purpose for Don.   “This ride was not only incentive for me to continue my rehabilitation and hit my goal of 100 miles on a bike, it also supported two inspirational people in my life – my good friend and my nephew. They both live with diabetes and I was proud to raise money for this great cause.”

Because of Don’s determination and spirit, he not only completed the 100-mile ride, he raised close to $3,000!  Thank you Don for allowing ATI Physical Therapy to be part of your successful journey!

The post Don and ATI: Their Road to Success! appeared first on ATI.