Old Town Man Gets Back to His Golf Game

Sixty-year-old Bob Douglas had been planning his once-in-a-lifetime golf trip to Scotland last September when an old sports injury spoiled his picture perfect vacation.

“When I couldn’t walk on the golf course anymore and had to try and find an automated golf cart was when I decided it was time to get serious about finding a solution,” said Douglas.

The Old Town native’s 30-year-old football injury had manifested into crippling arthritis that kept Douglas from being able to bend his knee. Douglas followed his doctor’s orders and had his knee joint replaced last year. To successfully rehabilitate his knee, Douglas turned to Athletico to help with his recovery process. Mike Morrow, DPT and Athletico Loop: Michigan Avenue Facility Manager, developed a customized physical therapy program to get Douglas back on the golf course.

“Before the surgery, Bob couldn’t bend his knee more than 90 degrees,” said Morrow, “After his joint replacement  and physical therapy sessions, his pain is dramatically reduced, he is able to walk smoothly and he can bend his knee more than 115 degrees.”

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, joint replacements are on the rise, and have more than tripled in the last decade among adults 45-64. Many people in this age group are not willing to sacrifice their active lifestyle as they age, and Douglas is part of this growing movement to improve quality of life in their golden years with this treatment.
 
“Needless to say I have been ecstatic with my condition,” said Douglas. “After 11 weeks of physical therapy, I was able to play two rounds of golf.”

If you or a loved one is suffering from joint issues visit www.athletico.com to learn more about how physical therapy before and after a joint replacement can help get you on the road to recovery.