"Virtual Physiotherapy helped before and after major knee reconstruction surgery"

“Virtual Physiotherapy helped me before and after major knee reconstruction surgery“

A Teladoc Health member explains how she contacted our Virtual Physiotherapy service for help following a significant sports injury and subsequent knee ligament reconstruction surgery.

Name removed at patient’s request.

“I was playing in a netball match and unfortunately sustained a significant injury. Following a trip to A&E, a fracture clinic, and a fixed leg brace fitted with crutches, I contacted Teladoc’s Physiotherapy service while awaiting an MRI scan result.

Registering and booking a consultation was very easy and straightforward. I opened the app, requested a ‘physiotherapy appointment,’ and had a list of physios to choose from. Choosing the professional with the right expertise to meet my needs was fantastic and gave me a sense of ownership. It’s wonderful to be given a choice!

Unfortunately, the hospital didn’t give me any advice or support while waiting for the MRI, so I contacted the Teladoc Health physiotherapy service for some help. The physiotherapist gave me some basic exercises, movements, and red flags to watch out for.  Following my MRI results, it was confirmed I had fully ruptured my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), grade 3 / 4 tear to my LCL (Lateral collateral ligament), and tear to my MCL. 

Almost full range of movement in 10 days

Reconstruction surgery was then booked. However, the consultant said to me I needed to regain my full range of movement before surgery; I only had 10 days. And that’s when the Teladoc Health physiotherapy service support really came into action.  My physio, Will, gave me exercises, motivation, and the focus to achieve this goal.  It was remarkable, from being in a fixed leg brace for 7 weeks to the almost full range of movement in 10 days. It was tough and extremely hard work, but with the support of Will, I achieved this!

I had my ACL and LCL reconstructed using parts of my hamstring. Then, the hard work really came.  Will provided me with lots of exercises to help me start walking with one crutch and then unaided, getting my knee moving; other supportive aids like recommending exercise bands, floor pedals, as well as longer-term rehab to build up my hamstrings, quads, and calves.

Online Exercise App

The online exercise app was extremely helpful, especially as I couldn’t drive for months before and after surgery.  The app enabled me to record the exercises each time, my pain levels, and how they felt during each exercise.  We reviewed these in the appointments to change or add exercises depending on what I was experiencing and achieving. When I started post-surgery exercises, I couldn’t bend my knee more than 10/20 degrees, and that feeling I got when I hit the first milestone of a 90-degree bend was indescribable.

I am now 5 months into my 12-month rehab journey….. Extensive, lengthy rehab can be lonely, challenging, and extremely difficult at times, with immense highs and lows. It can also leave you worrying if you can or can’t do things, even something as basic as getting in and out of the car without being terrified you might re-rupture ligaments, worrying if a new pain is a bad sign but the Teladoc Health physiotherapy service has been a truly phenomenal support to me – giving me time and compassion at every appointment, listening to me, celebrating the wins and achievements, giving me motivation and the confidence to start doing normal activities again – I can’t put into words the impact this has had on my rehab journey and getting back to living a normal life again.

I will be forever grateful to the physiotherapy service!

REFL&G