Note - we have received permission from Jo to share her recovery story to help motivate and inspire others.
Life Before the ACL Injury: An Endurance Athlete's Story
Meet Jo from Adelaide, Australia, an accomplished endurance athlete who completed her first marathon in an impressive 3 hours and 44 minutes. As a dedicated runner, cyclist, and swimmer, Jo believed completing that marathon would be her toughest physical challenge. Little did she know, her ACL recovery journey would test her resilience in ways she never imagined.
The Unexpected Turn: A Common ACL Injury Scenario
Ironically, Jo's ACL injury didn't occur during her intense endurance training. Instead, it happened during a casual game of touch football - highlighting how ACL injuries can occur in unexpected moments. While sidestepping around another player, Jo experienced the classic ACL tear sensation: her lower leg going in one direction while her upper leg moved in another. This non-contact injury mechanism is particularly common in ACL tears, regardless of the activity level or sport involved.
The Silver Lining: Maximizing Pre-Surgery Preparation
Due to Australia's public healthcare system, Jo faced a five-month wait for her surgery. While this might seem disadvantageous, it became an opportunity to optimize her pre-surgical condition. Using the Curovate app's pre-operative rehabilitation program, Jo achieved remarkable pre-surgery milestones:
- Performed weighted squats with proper form
- Mastered single-leg sit-to-stand exercises
- Maintained running capacity up to 7 kilometers
- Retained excellent knee range of motion
Digital Physical Therapy: A Global Solution
Jo's experience highlights a crucial advantage of digital physical therapy - its accessibility isn't limited by geography. Whether you're in Australia, Canada, the USA, or the UK, the Curovate app provides consistent, professional guidance through:
- Daily video-guided exercises tailored to your recovery phase
- Precise knee range of motion measurements using your smartphone
- Progressive milestone tracking
- Pre and post-operative exercise programs
Post-Surgery Recovery: Measuring Progress
After her hamstring graft surgery in July 2019, Jo approached her recovery with the same dedication she brought to marathon training. By following the Curovate app's daily exercise recommendations and tracking features, she achieved several key milestones ahead of schedule:
- Day 13: Completed full rotations on a stationary bike
- Week 2: Achieved 110 degrees of knee flexion
- Week 5: Performed single-leg sit-to-stand exercises
- Week 5: Matched her non-surgical knee's range of motion
Keys to Success: Consistency and Guidance
Jo's remarkable progress stems from her commitment to the rehabilitation process and proper guidance through digital physical therapy. Her dedication to the RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) soon after her ACL injury 4-5 times daily, combined with consistent exercise progression through the app pre and post-operatively, created optimal conditions for recovery.
The Power of Digital Physical Therapy
Jo's experience demonstrates how digital physical therapy can provide professional guidance regardless of location. The Curovate app offered:
- Structured daily exercise programs
- Precise progress tracking
- Range of motion measurements
- Clear recovery milestones
- Exercise technique guidance
Conclusion
Jo's story exemplifies how digital physical therapy can support ACL recovery across international borders. Her advice to others? "Keep the end goal in mind! You can't build a skyscraper without a strong foundation. The basic exercises may be monotonous but they work!"
If you need further customized assistance during your surgery or injury recovery check out our Virtual Physical Therapy page to book your 1-on-1 video session with a physical therapist.
Whether you're preparing for ACL surgery or starting your post-operative rehabilitation, having professional guidance at your fingertips can make the difference between good and optimal recovery outcomes.
Start your guided rehabilitation with Curovate today:
