On the evening of November 21, 2014, I took a tumble while attending a Westfield football conference playoff game. I had a compound fracture of the left arm and destroyed the elbow. After three and one half hours of surgery, the bones were put together and I began my recovery. I saw my surgeon one week later and began physical therapy immediately.
For the next four months I went to Gainesville Physical Therapy where Dr. Carissa Essex helped me with my recovery. We focused solely of range of motion exercises which involved stretching while the bone was healing so as to prevent loss of full use of my arm. After about twelve weeks, I was told I could begin strength exercises for the muscle. Very quickly I realized I could not do some of the strength exercises due to an old shoulder injury. After careful evaluation, Dr. Essex determined that the muscles in my left shoulder were atrophied to the point that the four bones in the shoulder that must move in synchronization with my arm were not moving. For the next month we focused on correcting the shoulder problem while continuing to strengthen the muscles in my left arm.
Today I have full range of motion in my arm, full use of my arm, the pain that I had had for years in my left shoulder is gone, and I continue on my own to build strength in both my left shoulder and arm.
I am delighted with the treatment provided by Gainesville Physical Therapy. I especially appreciated systematic and very thorough manner in which my unique problem was evaluated and diagnosed. I have been told my recovery was much faster than most people half my age. I am certain this was largely due to knowledge, experience, and professional manner of Dr. Essex.
Dr. Essex, I sincerely appreciate what you and Gainesville Physical Therapy team were able to accomplish with me.
Best wishes to all of you.
By - Bevis C.
Dry Needling
