Aidan
There are lots of reasons why we think PT is worth celebrating, but the BEST reason of all is seeing the lives of our patients change for the better… just like our October Patient of the Month, Aidan. Aidan is a wrestler who tore his UCL in the middle of his sophomore season at Arcadia University. The injury cost him the rest of his wrestling season, and it also pushed back something bigger: his ship date for Army boot camp.
Aidan has been working with Michael Zlotnick at our Jenkintown clinic following internal brace surgery to repair the ligament. Early rehab went smoothly but then a bone bruise flared up, and the plan had to change. Aidan and Michael spent close to a month bringing the intensity of his rehab back down and letting the bone settle before loading the elbow again.
For an athlete with a date circled on the calendar, being told to do less is harder than being told to do more but Aidan did it anyway. He stayed consistent through the slow weeks, kept showing up, and trusted the process. He is now cleared for all activity and will be shipping out soon!
For Aidan, having boot camp waiting on the other side is what kept him locked in through every step of rehab:
Here’s what he had to say about rehab and time at 3DPT Jenkintown:
1. Tell us about what brought you to physical therapy and how this has affected your life.
I tore my UCL in the middle of my wrestling season which cost me the rest of my sophomore year. It also affected me by pushing back my ship date for boot camp in the Army.
2. Tell us a little about your recovery process. What has been the hardest part of your therapy? What was your favorite part of physical therapy?
The hardest part of recovery has been the patience required and missing out on activities due to the injury.
3. What advice would you give to other people going through the same situation?
I would tell others to stay the course and buy into your PT by giving 100% effort.
4. Share a fun fact, item on your bucket list, or a goal you want to reach!
I want to score within the top 10% of my boot camp class.
Take a look at Aidan in action at 3DPT Jenkintown!
Aidan is cleared and ready for what’s next. He rebuilt his elbow, and he did it through a setback that would have derailed a lot of people. His advice says it best: stay the course and give 100%. He’s taking that same approach to boot camp, where he’s aiming to finish in the top 10% of his class.
Thank you for your service, Aidan. We’ll be rooting for you!
Physical therapy can help you reach your goals too.
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