My Comeback Story: Elaine N.

After retiring, I had always dreamed of hiking the AT and summiting Katahdin. Dr. Starks and Hartz Physical Therapy helped me reach this goal. Surgery was at the end of September, and I was on trial the first week of April. PT and recovery seemed so slow- especially since knee replacement had occurred recently, and I found I could push myself more with that recovery. Rotator cuff surgery meant patience and baby steps….This AT hike was more than just using the feet. The arms and shoulders got a workout, too. My backpack weighed about 35 pounds, and I got a daily workout lifting and carrying it. I’d like to tell you everything went smoothly, but there are times my shoulder did grumble at the end of the day. My shoulder strength grew... I hiked with poles or braced with them as I trekked down steep faces or pushed off the ground to clamber over a high rock face. Plus, there were tons of rock scrambles where I needed upper body strength too- after putting away the poles - and pulling and planking…. the arm and shoulder grew stronger. Thank you!