Virginia Becker
The Challenge
Virginia Becker cannot recall a specific injury to her left knee. She developed symptoms of pain, stiffness, a popping sensation, and feeling like her knee might “give out” in 2018. The pain increased with activities such as walking and hiking. She tried conservative treatment initially, such as ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain medication however, the symptoms were persistent.
After talking with her physician in 2019, he ordered an MRI of her left knee, which revealed a torn meniscus and significant degenerative changes, commonly known as “bone on bone.” There was mention of a total knee replacement in the future, but for now, she received a referral for conservative physical therapy (PT).
By 2021, the persistent pain led Virginia back to her physician, who recommended a left knee replacement, which she agreed to. After her surgery in July, she began a home physical therapy program. After just 6 sessions, the therapist said, “We have to get closer. We don’t have a lot of time.” Her knee flexion and extension were not where they needed to be, and Virginia wondered if it was too late. Virginia’s physician evaluated her several times and said her body was fighting “vicious arthritis and a lot of scar tissue.”
The JAS Difference
Virginia immediately started a structured rehabilitation program at CAL Rehab with owner Chuck Bagwell. After evaluating her flexion and extension, Chuck suggested a JAS device to accelerate her range of motion (ROM) recovery. There are other ROM devices available on the market, but most require 8+ hours of use to be effective. We wholeheartedly agree with Virginia when she says, “If you can’t be compliant, it’s not going to help you. This device enables you to be compliant.”
Chuck explained how the JAS device safely restores joint motion using the very stretch techniques he uses during manual therapy sessions in the clinic. With her physician’s approval, a JAS knee device was ordered. Our local JAS representative, Lindsey Brandt, delivered, fit, and instructed Virginia on how to use the JAS device during a therapy session, and Chuck developed a stretch protocol based on Virginia’s diagnosis and lifestyle, which allowed her to take PT on the road for a trip with her husband.
Virginia with CAL Rehab owner Chuck Bagwell.
Using the JAS Device
Virginia began using the JAS device in October 2021 and noticed improved mobility within a week. Chuck noticed a slight improvement in her extension very shortly after she started using the device. By mid-November, Virginia was confident enough to take a trip up the coast with her JAS device in tow. For the first time post-op, she was able to hike with her husband to a waterfall. When she returned, she continued rehab with Chuck. As time went on, she noticed the excruciating pain she had been experiencing during her in-person PT sessions was becoming much more tolerable.
By her birthday in January, Virginia walked 7 miles along the beach in the sand, which felt like a distant goal just a couple months prior. In February, Virginia contracted COVID, leaving her unable to attend in-person PT. Thankfully, she was able to continue making progress at home during quarantine and recovery. “Using the JAS device gave me the hope I needed to keep going. If I didn’t have the use of the JAS knee device to help with my recovery, it would have made this difficult process exponentially more difficult and depressing. Recovery is slow, and it’s easy to feel defeated,” said Virginia. At therapy, she saw many knee replacement patients come and go. “I know it’s not a competition, and everyone’s progress is so individual, yet when you’ve been working so hard at your knee rehab for so long, it can make you wonder if you’ll ever reach full recovery,” said Virginia.
As for others in her situation, Virginia offers this advice: “Don’t compare yourself to others who have also gone through this. Listen to your body and make adjustments along the way. Advocate for yourself and ask questions. Setbacks are normal but don’t just go through the motions or be complacent with your physical therapy. With the support, guidance, and approval of the team behind you, challenge yourself at the appropriate times to help you reach your goals. Don’t ever give up!”
Virgina explains her protocol.
Virginia discusses taking her JAS device on the go!
Virginia’s advice to future JAS patients.