Sixty-Seven Year Old Avoids Knee Replacement Surgery with Physical Therapy

October is National Physical Therapy Month, sponsored by the American Physical Therapy Association

PALM HARBOR, Fla. (Oct. 3, 2013) — Years of wear and tear in sports had taken their toll on Leon Johnson’s knee. The 67-year-old former Howard University football player was facing a knee replacement surgery in late 2011.

Thankfully, physical therapy services he received at Impact Health in Palm Harbor prior to the surgery enabled him to prevent the surgery altogether.

October is National Physical Therapy Month, sponsored by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). This month, APTA members are encouraged to educate consumers about the unique benefits of treatment by a physical therapist. One such benefit can be helping individuals – such as Johnson – avoid invasive surgery.

In December 2011, Johnson’s knee had thick bone spurs, virtually no cartilage and severe osteoarthritis. The pain was so excruciating, Johnson stopped playing in his USTA Team Tennis League – he couldn’t even walk a block.

Johnson’s tennis coach introduced him to Joe Millen, PT, MTC, physical therapist and owner of Impact Health, a physical therapy and fitness training clinic. In preparation for his scheduled knee replacement surgery, Johnson scheduled an appointment with Millen to treat a tight IT band.

“Joe worked on the IT band and the bad knee, and I saw light pain relief immediately,” said Johnson. “The improvements were in small increments, but within a month, I was hitting the tennis ball again with knee braces on.”

Johnson cancelled the knee replacement surgery and now receives physical therapy treatment at Impact Health once a week to maintain good health. He also plays tennis once a week, without knee braces.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine’s September 2008 edition, research shows that physical therapy, combined with comprehensive medical management, is just as effective as surgery when it comes to relieving the pain and stiffness of moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knee.

“We frequently work with clients who are able to avoid painful, invasive and expensive surgery because of the physical therapy treatment,” said Millen. “Also, pursuing an exercise program designed by a physical therapist can be one of the best protections from injury and surgery."

About Impact Health:

Impact Health, located in Palm Harbor, Fla., combines decades of clinical expertise with extensive fitness training experience to help clients achieve their optimal level of physical health and activity. Its services focus on physical therapy, fitness training and wellness programs. For more information: www.impacthealthonline.com.

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