Back at PT

     It's been about three weeks since our last PT session on March 30th. We've been waiting for the new PT order to be signed and returned to the physical therapist's office. At times we waited patiently and other times not so patient. To be honest it's hard waiting and not having something, something that you know can help your child. It's a frustrating process, but part of the journey.

    During this time Amaya has made sure to do her part, doing her PT exercises every day without ever missing a day. I've done my part, which has been to try to get the order signed. It has meant many, many calls. Tuesday I was notified that the therapist's office received the new order. All the minutes on hold, the messages I left, the calls and emails were all worth it! We are all so happy and relieved! 

    We returned to PT on Wednesday and it was great to be back! Amaya's therapist noticed immediately that Amaya had done her homework and had made progress. That's great! At first measurement Amaya was able to get her knee from 0 to 138 degrees, that was without any work or stretching. In a few minutes she got her knee to 142 degrees! Since her range of motion has improved so much the therapist decided to focus the rest to the time on standing exercises.  

    Based on her last x-rays Dr. Nelson allowed Amaya to begin to weight bearing while standing. We're approaching the time when Amaya can begin to walk while weight bearing. Her therapist said it's important to get Amaya use to standing and building her strength to make walking easier. She taught Amaya some standing exercises which she will begin to do as homework. Then she worked with Amaya to develop her sense of balance and to reacquaint her eyes, body and brain to using both legs (on not one leg and crutches). 

    The new focus of pt will be standing exercises since her range of motion is doing so well and to prepare for walking. So exciting! The therapist said the path Amaya will follow is walking using two crutches, then walking with one crutch, then walking without crutches. 

Amaya prepping for the day's session. Look how naturally her left knee bends.

Standing leg lifts.

Standing on her left leg and lifting the right one. Amaya's left leg was shaking, showing it is weak and not use to carrying her body weight. It didn't cause her any pain but the therapist advised her to be cautious to not overwork her leg, so that she doesn't fall. 

The therapist had Amaya stand in front of her while she gently pushed her side to side,

 front to back and back to front. She had Amaya close her eyes because

 this helps with developing balance and retraining her brain.