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Mar 27 24

Golf without Pain & Preventing Injuries

by John Weiss

Free golf medicine interactive event from Penn Sports Medicine and Penn Therapy & Fitness.

Learn from our Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Certified medical professionals. The event includes:

  • Group Screening
  • Slow-Motion Video Golf Swing Analysis
  • Golf Injury Education
  • Body-Swing Connection education – learn how physical impairments are impacting your swing
  • Question and Answer Session
  • Date & Time

Event Details

  • When: Wednesday, May 8 • 7:15 p.m.
  • Where: Penn Therapy & Fitness King of Prussia Road, Suite 100 Radnor, PA 19087

Presenters:

John Vasedevan, MD CAQSM
Penn Sports Medicine; Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania

Christopher T. Wickel, PT, DPT
Lead Physical Therapist

Matthew Morris, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist

Jeremy Gresh, PT, DPT
Lead Physical Therapist

Joshua L. McHugh, PT, DPT;
Physical Therapist

Mar 13 24

Small Steps, Hard Work, Excellent Results for Field Hockey Player

by John Weiss

Katie Kohn loves playing field hockey, so an injury followed by surgery and months of outpatient rehabilitation was not in her plans. She knew recovering and returning to her collegiate team would be tough, but she met the challenge with the help of her physical therapist.

Katie was in the first few minutes of a field hockey game in her sophomore year at Swarthmore College when she suffered a non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Only four games into her season, and on track to be the top scorer for the second year in a row, Katie was devastated.

Back at home in Maryland, Katie underwent surgery to repair the torn ACL. She began rehabilitating her knee near home but needed a physical therapist near Swarthmore when she returned to college for the fall semester.

Katie did her research and found a therapist who could help her get back on the playing field. At Penn Therapy & Fitness, she began working with Erica Tully, PT, DPT, LAT, ATC, who knew the athletic trainers at Swarthmore.

Erica’s first task was to create a customized treatment plan based on Katie’s goal to play field hockey again. Because she had a nerve block during surgery, Katie had leg numbness and weakness but not a lot of pain. Her activity was limited and she was using two crutches.

With a focus on walking, increasing range of motion and strengthening her knee, Katie began working with Erica in early therapy sessions to activate her quadriceps.

“Being immobile was a hard transition for me because I had been so active,” says Katie. “But Erica was so positive and told me the first time we met that she was committed to working together to get me back to not only walking but to peak performance.”

Within two weeks of working with Erica, Katie was able to transition to one crutch. She progressed in her twice-weekly sessions to walking without crutches and going up and down stairs. Later – in the eight months of working with Erica – Katie advanced to running, jumping and cutting.

“Katie’s path to success started on day one of her rehab,” says Erica, who has a background in athletic training.  “She was motivated and worked hard during our sessions. We set small goals that helped reinforce Katie’s progress, but she also did the work required outside of the clinic and never lost sight of her goal to play field hockey again.”

Katie was cleared for non-contact participation at Swarthmore the spring after her injury and slowly worked her way back to field hockey contact drills. She continued working out at the gym after therapy ended and prepared for tryouts.

Last September, she played in her first game since the injury and says her knee felt great. She played the rest of the season and excelled, leading the team in scoring with 11 goals and 5 assists for 27 points. She had 3 multi-goal games. Katie was selected to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-Region V Team in late 2023.

Erica says not everyone can return to that level of performance after an ACL injury. But through the “power of therapy,” hard work and a great attitude, Katie achieved her recovery goal and much more.

Feb 21 24

Ready to Ride

by John Weiss
man riding recumbent bike smiles

Above all else, Mike Weinberg is a man who likes to help others.

For the past 14 years, Mike has ridden his recumbent bike in the MS City to Shore Ride. An IT professional at Penn Medicine, his participation began when he joined a team of coworkers for the event. He’s ridden every year since then and says it’s his way of giving back.

“There’s something about this event,” says Mike. “It’s been great to see the advances that have been made in treating MS, and it’s so satisfying to feel that I had helped that progress in some small way.”

Unfortunately, Mike’s health hasn’t always supported his philanthropic goals. He’s faced several serious orthopedic conditions and procedures throughout the years and credits the team at Penn Therapy & Fitness for always having him ready for the ride.

For instance, in 2018, he underwent anterior cervical decompression-fusion surgery for spinal stenosis of the cervical region. This is a major procedure with a long recovery, but his therapy team enabled him to make steady progress. Upon discharge, he was pain free.

Mike later underwent a difficult knee replacement and started therapy just a few weeks before the start of COVID. Since in-person visits weren’t happening at the time, his therapy team quickly pivoted him to teletherapy.

“At first, I thought it would be a disadvantage,” says Mike, “but I quickly realized that the therapy was really helpful. My therapist made it fun. It was sort of like they came to my home.”

When he experienced another bout of debilitating spinal stenosis in 2023, Mike was devastated at the prospect of having to repeat that surgery. But when his surgeon recommended trying physical therapy first, Mike was all for it.

Knowing the power of physical therapy, he again turned to Penn Therapy & Fitness.

“They literally started curing me on my first visit,” says Mike. “In addition to my regular sessions there, the therapists gave me things I can do every day on my own regardless of where I am. They really empowered me to be part of my own recovery.”

After several months of therapy, he had made huge progress in reducing his pain – and avoiding surgery. In fact, he rode 25 miles in this year’s MS Ride.

“Everything worked the way it was supposed to,” says Mike. “I was worried about getting to the finish line and being in pain, but nothing hurt.”

“When someone tells me their knee bothers them, I tell them to go to the doctor, and if they need physical therapy, I tell them there’s no place better than Penn Therapy & Fitness. They helped me recover so I can ride my bike and raise funds for those who can’t.”

Feb 19 24

Rehabilitation Plays an Important Role in Stroke Recovery

by John Weiss

It’s a fact: People who participate in a stroke rehabilitation program have better outcomes than those who do not.1 The impact of your stroke is different than anyone else’s, and a personalized program can help restore movement, strength and speech and help you with daily tasks.

It’s important to know that stroke recovery times vary widely. You may find you recover your pre-stroke abilities quickly, while other people need rehabilitation for a longer period. Generally, the more severe a stroke, the longer the rehabilitation.

What to expect from a Stroke Rehabilitation Program

Stroke symptoms like dizziness, facial drooping, slurred speech, weakness and vision difficulty and can last from ten minutes to hours. Symptoms that come and go may be a sign of a type of stroke called a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack).

Any stroke is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention by calling 911. The hospital will run tests to determine the type of stroke and how much damage occurred. Some strokes are treated immediately with medicine to dissolve a blood clot or surgery to repair blood vessels or remove fluid, clots or extra blood from the brain.

Stroke rehabilitation will begin quickly once you are medically stable – usually within 24 to 48 hours. The sooner rehab starts, the more likely you will regain your pre-stroke abilities.

Your stroke therapy sessions may be challenging at first, but they are critical to a successful recovery. Therapy will continue during your hospital stay, and your therapists and physicians will evaluate the impact of your stroke and decide where to focus your rehabilitation program.

Your hospital discharge plan will likely include information on inpatient and/or outpatient therapy you need. Your program may include physical, occupational and speech & language therapy.

The first three months after your stroke

Intense rehabilitation during the first three months is critical and the primary time for progress and recovery. Your goal during this time is to restore as much pre-stroke function as possible and learn strategies to help you cope with any challenges.

Rehabilitation will help the brain compensate for the damaged areas and rewire itself to perform lost tasks and skills. The phenomenon called “spontaneous recovery” may occur when an ability suddenly returns to its pre-stroke level.

Months 4 to 12 post-stroke

Your rehabilitation should continue for at least six months to regain as much recovery as possible. Some patients may fully recover and others will need continuing therapy. After six months, 35 to 40 percent of stroke survivors still have limitations with basic activities.2 

Your progress depends on the severity of your stroke, the areas of the brain that are damaged, how quickly rehabilitation started and its intensity.

One year after your stroke

It’s important to continue your therapy as recommended by your care team, because research shows that even a year after your stroke, your brain is still capable of learning and you’ll continue to recover.3 Making incremental gains in fine movement, skills and abilities will contribute to your independence and quality of life.

If you or a loved one is in need of inpatient stroke rehabilitation, visit our stroke rehabilitation page or call 877-969-7342.

[1] Mayo Clinic: Stroke rehabilitation: What to expect as you recover
[2] American Stroke Association: Rehab Therapy After a Stroke
[3] Journal of Neurophysiology: A critical time window for recovery extends beyond one-year post-stroke

Jan 29 24

Spinal Cord Injury: A Personal Rehabilitation Journey

by John Weiss

Your recovery from a spinal cord injury (SCI) is unique. That’s because each injury is different, based on the location and extent of damage to the spinal cord.

Most people with SCI experience changes to strength, sensation and automatic function below the injury site. It can also impact your physical, mental, emotional and social well-being.  But despite these challenges, you can move forward with a fulfilling life and improved functionality with a personalized rehabilitation plan.

To unleash your full potential following an SCI, all aspects of your physical and emotional well-being must be considered. That’s why SCI rehabilitation with a specialized team is so important.

Complete and incomplete SCIs

There are two categories of SCIs: complete or incomplete, referring to the ability of the nerves to send messages between your brain and body below the level of your spinal injury.

  • If you’ve lost all sensation and strength below the injury site, it is a complete SCI.
  • If you have any sensation or motor function below the injury site, your SCI is incomplete.

Types of SCIs: Either can be complete or incomplete

Traumatic: These injuries occur from a physical trauma, for example, a blow to the spine or a gunshot injury.

Non-Traumatic. These injuries occur from non-traumatic causes, for example, a tumor, autoimmune disease and others. Their onset may be less obvious, with symptoms gradually worsening.

Symptoms of an SCI can vary tremendously and may include:

  • Loss of movement, coordination, balance and/or strength
  • Difficulty walking
  • Loss or diminished sensation or hypersensitivity to touch, heat or cold
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Exaggerated reflexes
  • Muscle spasms
  • Pain, including numbness or intense stinging sensations
  • Changes in sexual function or sensitivity
  • Difficulty coughing, breathing or clearing secretions from your lungs

If you notice any of these symptoms, whether immediately or gradually, don’t wait to consult your physician for a diagnosis and proper medical treatment.

How are spinal cord injuries treated?

Regardless of the type of SCI, specialized medical treatment and rehabilitation can help.

After a SCI, you may benefit from specialized inpatient rehabilitation to support your medical, physical, neurological and psychological needs. While recovery is different for everyone, rehabilitation will help you improve overall well-being.

Rehabilitation will likely continue after discharge until you can safely and confidently manage your care at home. You may receive home care, including physical, occupational and/or speech therapy, or therapy may be scheduled at an outpatient location specializing in SCI.

Inpatient and outpatient SCI rehabilitation may include:

  • Physical therapy: Improves muscle strength, range of motion, and improving mobility- whether walking or in a wheelchair
  • Occupational therapy: Supports your ability to care for yourself, including adaptive dressing, bathing, eating, going to the bathroom and transferring. Focuses on strength, fine motor skills and assistive devices
  • Recreational therapy: Includes adaptive sports, social activities and leisure pursuits
  • Nutrition education: Helps you follow a healthy diet

Who will be on my SCI rehabilitation team?

Your Good Shepherd Penn Partners physiatrist (physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor) will design and manage your SCI rehabilitation program based on your injury and goals. In addition to your physiatrist, your team may include:

  • Physical therapists (PT)
  • Occupational therapists (OT)
  • Speech & language therapists (SLP)
  • Case managers
  • Social workers
  • Neuropsychologists
  • Nurses with specialized training in treating spinal cord injuries
  • Nutritionists
  • Respiratory therapists (RT)

Your medical and rehabilitation team can guide you throughout your recovery journey, so do your best to keep any appointments with them.

For help with your SCI rehabilitation journey or for more information on treating spinal cord injuries, see the Good Shepherd Penn Partners spinal cord injury rehabilitation page or call 1.877.969.7342.

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