Ankle Replacement Surgery
Back On Your Feet
A water-based progression from Hydrotherapy to Sports Performance after ankle replacement, built around movement, flexibility, strength, commitment, and tenacity.
South Beach, FL
His Story
Recovery Was Only the Beginning
In my experience working with clients after ankle, knee, hip, and shoulder replacements, ankle replacement has been by far the most concentrated and demanding recovery. The ankle must manage the body’s load through a compact area while also restoring range of motion, balance, and control with every step. Regaining flexion and comfortable weight-bearing can be difficult and painful. My client returned to his native Italy for ankle replacement surgery at a time when the procedure was far less common and available implant options and specialist experience were more limited than they are today.
Three stages: May 20, 2014; November 3, 2015; and April 6, 2016.
The Progression
When we began working together, putting weight through his right foot was difficult and painful. We started twice a week in deeper water, where buoyancy reduced the load while we worked on flexion, control, and full-body strength. Early on, he could not push in the gym, so he pushed in the water with me. As he progressed, we moved into shallower water, gradually asking the ankle to accept more of his weight.
The Commitment
One thing never changed: he was always present for the work. He accepted every challenge I gave him with pride and gusto, wore the effort like a badge of honor, and never cut corners. I guided the progression and worked with him in the way he liked to train, but he supplied the commitment and tenacity. Footage from May 20, 2014, November 3, 2015, and April 6, 2016 captures his progression from Hydrotherapy into Sports Performance. Through the work, the consistency, and the conversations—along with our cups of espresso and spectacular South of Fifth sunrises—we forged a solid, lasting friendship.
Start your own story
A private aquatic program starts with the person in front of us.
Every AquaFit Sports session is shaped around the client, the pool, the season of life, and the goal. For recovery, mobility, performance, or fitness, the water becomes a more adaptable place to move.
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