Michael's Story
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Michael Allen followed his service in the U.S. Air Force with a career as a government computer programmer. In retirement, Michael and his wife, Beth, along with their two dogs hit the road in their RV. However, they pumped the brakes on travel when Michael began experiencing weakness in his legs. It felt like his knees were melting, according to Michael who added that the feeling would cause him to lower himself to the floor. With Beth unable to lift him, the couple sought medical care.
Doctors diagnosed Michael with spinal stenosis -- the space around his spinal cord had narrowed and was irritating his spine and nerves around it. As a result, he had two surgeries. One remedied the initial issue, the second removed a hematoma (collection of blood) on his spine and stemmed the flow of fluid leaking in the same area. After his situation stabilized, Michael was ready for inpatient rehabilitation. For that, his surgeon recommended Northshore Rehabilitation Hospital.
Michael arrived unable to walk or perform daily self-care activities. His physician-led care team mapped out a care plan to help him recover and meet his goal to become independent again. For this, physical therapy (PT) would build his strength and endurance and occupational therapy (OT) would advance his independence with a focus on improving his ability to manage his self-care needs.
Physical therapy (PT) got to work with Michael doing seated exercises, working on the mat performing reaching activities and lying on his back performing bridging exercises to focus on his core strength and balance. Michael’s spirits raised on his first day because he could already see progress and knew with continued hard work, he would see gains.
The care team expanded his daily therapeutic work using parallel bars to help him stand, perform mini squats and practice stepping. As he grew stronger, the rolling walker was added to his daily routine and he walked up and down the hospital hallways. Later, a seated stair stepper was included in his exercises. Gradually, that built leg strength which allowed him to conquer walking up and down stairs in the therapy gym.
“The therapists’ treatment sessions were seamless and always moved forward. They were very positive and encouraging,” stated Michael.
Aside from his physical therapy, Michael was relearning everyday tasks such as showering and donning his clothing. Noticing his struggle, occupational therapists introduced adaptive equipment – a long-handled sponge, reacher and sock aid – making it easier and safer for Michael to bathe and dress. Therapists also helped him build upper arm strength, coordination and endurance with a variety of equipment such as resistance bands and an upper-extremity bicycle that requires hand pedaling.
Beth was by Michael’s side each day participating in the hospital’s Care Partner Program. That program teaches people how to support their loved one after they return home.
Throughout his stay, Michael learned, “the importance of knowing my limitations and of staying positive.”
After 23 days on inpatient rehab, Michael was walking up to 250 feet with a rolling walker with supervision for safety. He could also manage four steps and his self-care routine with minimal guidance. Michael was ready to return home with Beth and reunite with his dogs.
Already well on his way to independence, Michael will continue his recovery with outpatient therapy. He offered some straightforward guidance to anyone else entering medical rehabilitation, “staying positive is how you succeed.”