While training for a half-marathon, I felt a pain in my ankle. When it didn't get better with rest, I went to a large rehab practice. I was diagnosed with tendinopathy, but there was no recommendation for physical therapy and the doctor was surprised that I wasn't better a month later.
I then sought physical therapy on my own at a practice affiliated with a large Atlanta university whose name rhymes with "memory." The therapist told me the treatment was progressive loading of the tendon. When I asked why this is, she snapped, "That would take a whole class in physiology to explain! I don't have time for that!" Indeed, she probably didn't. While she was working with me, she was also working with other patients and supervising other staff. I was just one of many tasks she had to attend to at the same time. The emphasis at this practice was quantity, not quality.
She recommended that I talk with their podiatrist. Based on a cursory exam, he changed the diagnosis to stress reaction and put me in a boot. When I wasn't better after several months, he finally ordered an MRI which showed that the original diagnosis - tendinopathy - was correct. But he ordered me back in the boot, on crutches, and on an anti-inflammatory. With that, I was done with him and that rehab practice.
I had been educating myself about the treatment of tendinopathy and learned that indeed progressive loading of the tendon is the proper treatment. I researched loading routines and designed a program for myself. However, I wanted to be sure I had the right plan in mind and that I wasn't doing any further harm. I asked a running group for suggestions for a physical therapist and one runner recommended Ben Hopkins at PT Solutions.
Given my experience so far, I wanted to be sure I would get what I needed from a therapist, so I called Ben. He generously spent all the time I needed answering my questions. I explained what I'd been through. Would he be able to work with me one-on-one and not have his attention distracted to other patients? "Yes." The treatment is progressive loading, right? "Yes." You'll check the program I designed? "Yep." And anti-inflammatories are contraindicated in tendinopathy. "That's just what I was thinking." Monique checked my insurance and got the paperwork to me and I made an appointment to see Ben.
From the beginning, he knew what I had in mind. He answered every question I could throw at him. He did a thorough physical exam - something the first therapist did not do - and identified areas of weakness and muscle imbalance. Unlike the first providers I saw, Ben treated me with respect and a sense of partnership. We were collaborating in my recovery. I understand and accept that my tendon will always be prone to injury. But with Ben's knowledge, skills, help and support, I have started running again. It's been slow and difficult as I'm trying to make up for losing eight months of training and my tendon barks at me if I push my training too hard. But if I had started working with Ben rather than those other practices, I would have gotten back to training sooner. He's confident that I should be ready to run the Peachtree. I hope so!
Ben has a combination of genuine compassion, skill, knowledge and respect that unfortunately is all too rare in the health care professions. I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone looking for a skilled and professional physical therapist. And if I need a physical therapist again, I'll call Ben. read more
