Eight years ago, at the age of 67, Suggie Brumberger decided it was time to work out with a trainer to get in shape and lose some weight. Unfortunately, her trainer had her doing squats beyond her ability and she injured her knee.
“He wasn’t used to working with middle-aged women,” she laughs.
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After the accident, Brumberger began favoring her left knee, which led to even more complications. An x-ray showed that she had a lot of scar tissue and arthritis.
Luckily, she found Amy Weyhenmeyer, PT, DPT, CSCS, a physical therapist who now works at Great Basin Orthopaedics but who was practicing at another location at the time.
“Amy is a no-nonsense practitioner who told me the extent of the damage and the course of treatment I would need to follow,” Brumberger says.
Weyhenmeyer’s no-nonsense approach resonated well with Brumberger and they began treatment. Brumberger has since followed Weyhenmeyer to the Great Basin Orthopaedics (GBO) physical therapy center where she continues to work with her on an as-needed basis.
Weyhenmeyer suggested that Brumberger’s back might also be part of the problem and suggested mechanical traction, which involves placing a patient on a special traction table, and using a series of ropes, slings and pulleys to reduce pressure on the spine.
“What do you know? Most of the pain is now gone,” Brumberger says.
Brumberger’s husband, Larry, who has had a variety of ski-related injuries as well as a knee replacement, is also a big fan.
“I will follow Amy wherever she goes,” he says. “I relate to her because of her approach, and I trust her judgment and treatment plan(s) without hesitation.”
Weyhenmeyer’s move to GBO also allowed Brumberger to meet Dr. Christopher Dolan, an orthopaedist specializing in the care of knees and shoulders. At the age of 75, she isn’t interested in surgery, but she says Dr. Dolan has worked with her in non-surgical ways, including cortisone shots, to ease her pain.
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If you suffer from chronic pain, we encourage you to be proactive and consider all your options to manage it. The experts at Great Basin Orthopaedics can assess you and provide treatment options, including physical therapy or surgery. Our surgeons always consider all options before recommending surgery, so rest assured you will have the knowledge you need to make an informed decision about your care. Call 775-786-1600 to schedule your appointment.