“The help and support I have had from all the team at Ten has been fantastic. It’s had a real positive impact on my life, I no longer have to consider the limitations of my leg and being back playing sport has really helped my wellbeing both physically and mentally.”
Competitive cyclist Chris was nominated by his wife after a skiing accident left him with four tibia fractures, a prescription for six weeks’ bed rest, and a fair few screws in his knee to keep everything together again.
Chris joined the MoveBetter programme eight months later, and though his injuries had largely healed, they had left him in pain and with reduced flexibility and strength in his leg, severely impacting the performance of the former Smithfield Nocturne competitor.
Following his initial assessment, we created a programme for Chris’ programme that involved regular Physiotherapy, combined with 1-1 rehab sessions, to improve his knee flexibility and single leg strength and get him back up to ‘full speed’. Pardon the pun.
What were you hoping to get of the Move Better programme?
Simply I was hoping to get back to a stage where I could have my ‘normal’ life back. I was used to playing sport regularly and it formed an important part of my social, physical and mental wellbeing. It’s fair to say not being able to play sport made me grumpy and irritable and my wife will probably say harder to live with.
How did you feel going into it?
While my injuries and rehab had been progressing following my multiple leg break, I was still feeling significant discomfort doing everyday activities such as longer walks or prolonged standing. Even the idea of being able to play sport freely felt like a long way off.
How do you feel following the programme?
The help and support I have had from all the team at Ten has been fantastic. I no longer have pain or a limp doing everyday activities and I am back playing sport.
What impact has this had on your life?
It’s had a real positive impact on my life, I no longer have to consider the limitations of my leg when undertaking everyday activities or choosing holidays and being back playing sport has really helped my wellbeing both physically and mentally.
A morning Pilates class is also a wonderful way to start the day, in general I am not a morning person, but I never found it a challenge to make my morning Pilates class and felt invigorated and energised ready for the working day afterwards.
What advice would you give to somebody facing similar injuries, limitations or discomfort to yourself prior to this programme?
Simply the only way to make things better is to work on them, take advice and try and do everything you are told. No one is perfect at doing their rehab but it’s an awful lot easier when you have such wonderfully structured and supportive classes as I received at Ten.
