Helen, Age 70

An equestrian since the age of four, Helen’s world has revolved around horses both as a rider and as an equine veterinarian. She has competed throughout her life and during the past 10 years as a Quarter Horse Hunter.

Horse-related injuries were not new to Helen, having sustained multiple injuries to her back, knees, and shoulders. In 2012, Helen was catapulted off her horse during a competition warm up. She fractured her right scapula (shoulder blade) and tore rotator cuffs in both shoulders. She was in a small town in rural North Carolina and deferred treatment until she was able to return home to Northern Virginia.

Once home, she consulted with her orthopedic surgeon. He reviewed her MRI and recommended that she receive physical therapy. He did not feel she was a surgical candidate due to the small nature of the rotator cuff tears and it would not be recommended for her to remain in a sling for her fracture secondary to the frozen shoulder that may result.

By this time Helen was already significantly limited in range of motion, strength, and function.

“That was quite an experience. I had no use of my arms. I couldn’t work or dress myself. I couldn’t even lie flat to sleep. I had to sleep upright.”

Helen’s choice of physical therapy facilities was an easy one since she had received physical therapy following previous injuries at Blaser Physical Therapy and had gotten excellent results. Her physical therapy focused on regaining her range of motion initially and managing her pain. She received intensive manual range of motion treatment along with ultrasound and ice for her pain. Strengthening was added along the way to return her function. Helen differentiated her physical therapy at Blaser Physical Therapy:

“They understood I had to get back to work and competing quickly. The physical therapists worked with me to get my strength back quickly without compromising my success. Everyone there was making sure. I didn’t get back on my horse too soon.”

Helen got full range of motion back in both of her arms and was challenged by the level of exercise she was given in order to reach her goals to return to her duties as an equine veterinarian and competitive equestrian.

“I remember being really upset when I could not hold my arm straight when it was overhead. The nice part was, they didn’t treat me like a little old lady, but as an athlete.”

When Helen was finished with her physical therapy, she remembers she was not simply discharged. Her therapist gave her a complete home exercise program and recommendation of where she could follow up for continued exercise instruction.

Helen’s Results

Just seven months after Helen’s complete arm incapacitation, she was able to not only participate in but capture the title of Reserve World Champion in Hunter Hack when she competed in the Quarter Select World Championship!

“Everyone was AMAZED!”