There’s nothing more relaxing than gliding gracefully on the water, being carried by the waves with a full wind in your sails. The immaculate beauty that nature bestows is as endless as the ocean is deep and brings true purpose to those that enjoy it. Grady Honeycutt, 67-year-old retired, self-proclaimed adventurer, spends most of his days on the ocean sailing and enjoying the beauty that nature has to offer. But recently, Grady’s leisures on the water came to a halt after he broke the upper part of his right Humerus – resulting in a compound fracture that required surgery and a great deal of rehab.
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.