How Online PT Can Help Patients’ Recovery Journey
Andrew Emerson was playing his usual game of pick-up basketball when he heard an unusual noise: a loud pop from his knee. He was in a great deal of pain, so he promptly scheduled an appointment at his school’s health clinic. The doctor identified the injury as a sprain and provided Andrew with some stretches to do over the following weeks.
Two weeks of stretches turned into three months of physical therapy at his school’s clinic, yet Andrew still struggled with pain and limited function with his knee. He reached out to an orthopedic doctor, a physician who specializes in treating muscles, joints and bones, to further examine the issue. To his surprise, his visit revealed that he had torn his ACL and meniscus, an injury that would require surgery.
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Physical Therapy After Surgery
Eager to begin his recovery, Andrew scheduled his surgery and began evaluating physical therapy clinics to complete post-op physical therapy. With recommendations from his surgeon and family members for ATI Physical Therapy, Andrew soon began his physical therapy journey at his local ATI clinic.
On his first day, his therapist asked him what he was hoping to get back to. His main goal was to return to sports, and his therapy team used this goal to guide his individualized treatment plan. According to Andrew, the beginning of treatment was “hard, both mentally and physically.” He didn’t have much confidence in his knee, and he could only handle the most basic exercises.
With the help of his therapist, Andrew pushed through the pain and doubt and began rebuilding the strength of his knee. He advanced from simple movements to strengthening exercises, then from strengthening exercises to agility training. Over time, Andrew found himself looking forward to physical therapy at ATI. He enjoyed the company of the friendly staff, and was excited by the progress he saw himself making.
Promising Progress Threatened by Unexpected News
After six months of therapy, the end of Andrew’s treatment was in sight. He was now able to run and lift weights, activities he had not been able to enjoy since his injury. His final milestone was the Vail Sport Test™, an assessment he would have to pass in order to return to sports. He had worked hard in preparation for the assessment and was on track to pass when he received unfortunate news: one of his family members had come into contact with COVID-19.
Andrew knew he could not continue in-clinic treatment for at least two weeks due to CDC guidelines, and he worried about the impact a temporary pause in treatment would have on his recovery. When he called the clinic to cancel his upcoming appointments, he learned about CONNECT, ATI’s telehealth platform. Through CONNECT, Andrew could meet with his therapist virtually and continue his PT program without interruption.
Utilizing Online Physical Therapy for Treatment
During Andrew’s first appointment, his therapist worked with the space and equipment he had, and created an effective plan to ensure he continued to progress. His therapist guided him through each exercise in real time, providing video demonstrations and any necessary modifications. Andrew was impressed with the virtual platform, noting that the process was smooth and easy to set up. He also found his strengthening workouts to be very effective, dispelling his previous doubts about the effectiveness of virtual physical therapy.
After two weeks of virtual PT, Andrew safely returned to the clinic to take his sports assessment. He passed with flying colors, missing only one point on the entire test. He attributed his success partially to his time in telehealth, as it allowed him to continue treatment during a pivotal time in his care.
“If I hadn’t done telehealth, [my condition] definitely would have regressed. It was nice to have someone watch my exercises, tell me what to do and push me harder,” Andrew said.
Andrew’s consistent dedication to therapy paid off. He conquered pain, prioritized his recovery and accomplished his goal of returning to sports.
Virtual Physical Therapy Could Be Right for You
When in-person visits to a clinic aren’t possible or preferred, receiving treatment online via CONNECT is a great option. Our licensed therapists are ready to deliver our same high-quality care remotely to ensure patients stay on track with their treatment plan.
About CONNECT, ATI’s Telehealth Platform
Since its launch in March 2020, our therapists have used CONNECT to treat thousands of patients nationwide. Available in all 50 states, our innovative telehealth platform allows patients to access their therapist from anywhere, leading to more consistent care regimens and faster recovery times.
From injured athletes like Andrew to people with aches from uncomfortable work-from-home set-ups to patients recovering from total shoulder surgery, CONNECT has been highly effective in the facilitation of care across a broad range of conditions and pain levels.