Many patients come to therapy, complete their plan of care, and are then able to return to their daily activities. For others, ATI remains a constant in the patient’s life, facilitating pre- and post-operative care to manage chronic symptoms. Recently, PT Nick Rice worked with a patient at the Mesa-Ellsworth clinic. He completed an initial evaluation of a 49-year-old female and recommended further diagnostic imaging after suspecting a rotator cuff tear.

Taking Nick’s recommendation to heart, the patient underwent radiographs and additional orthopedic evaluations while continuing her prehabilitation sessions. When the results came back, the patient learned Nick’s hunch was correct and scheduled surgery before returning to ATI for her postoperative rehabilitation. While the patient and the Mesa – Ellsworth team could anticipate a positive experience while working together through her postoperative rehab, what neither anticipated were the complications that followed.

Read more: Compassion > Pain: A Patient’s Journey at ATI

Shortly after surgery, the patient was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), which is a chronic pain condition that occurs after an injury, stroke, heart attack, or surgery. The pain typically impacts the arm or the leg and is disproportionate to the initial injury. Despite the complications, the patient and the rest of the Mesa-Ellsworth team, including CD Jonathan Elley, PT Nick Rice, PTA Paige Martin, and OSS Railey Potthast, forged ahead, focusing her treatment on improving range of motion, reducing pain, restoring functional use, and gradually incorporating strengthening activities. Her progression continues to be closely monitored to support her plan of care while recognizing the sensitivity and complexity CRPS brings to her recovery.

The patient clearly appreciated the entire team’s efforts as she showed up to the clinic one day with a large basket of goodies and a giant ‘thank you’ card in hand. The team allowed themselves to take in that moment, celebrate what they and the patient achieved together, and reflect on the impact it had on them.  

“Working with this patient has been a reminder to all of us that compassion, empathy, and kindness are essential to what we do,” PTA Paige Martin told the RoundUp team. “This experience has made us better people, and, as a result, better prepared to serve our patients and community.”