NovaCare Rehabilitation

11/23/2024

Are you preparing for surgery? Maximize your surgical outcome with physical therapy. Whether strengthening before surgery or recovering after, physical therapy can help improve mobility, reduce pain and speed up your return to daily activities. Swipe through our carousel to learn how physical therapy supports you every step of the way.

11/22/2024

Knowledge is power! Our team of athletic trainers and physical therapists work to keep their skills sharp and to learn the latest practices through clinical education and practical application training throughout the sports seasons.

Additionally, they work with coaches, parents and physicians to ensure they are practiced in emergency care, provide exceptional communication and treat student-athletes with a high level of care at many schools across the nation.

11/21/2024

How much better off would you be if you started now? Whether it's nagging aches and pains, surgery prep or goals for mobility or performance, the time is now.

Read our latest blog to learn five big reasons to start physical therapy, including how our movement experts can help you feel better and ease your end-of-year stress.

If you’ve been putting off addressing that nagging pain in your knee, recovering from an injury or improving your mobility, now is the perfect time to consider starting physical therapy before the year ends.

11/19/2024

Our Toledo NovaCare Prosthetic & Orthotics monthly walk-and-run clinic was a huge success! Participants could try different prosthetic components provided by College Park Industries, test the OneStep app and meet with other northwest Ohio amputees.

If you missed out on this event, November's clinic will be about prosthetic supplies. Join us on Nov. 20 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at our Toledo center, 3148 W. Central Ave., Suite B, Toledo, OH 43606.

11/18/2024

In 1977, at age 6, Sean Fogarty lost his right foot in a lawnmower accident. His first prosthesis was made of leather and steel. It was expensive and financially burdensome to his parents. Later, he qualified for a new leg at Shriners Hospital, which referred Sean to our center.

Self-employed as a tax preparer and bookkeeper, Sean works part-time milking and feeding cows on the weekends. After tax season this year, he poured concrete in downtown St. Paul for a large construction project. Sean continues to do physically taxing work and always has, regardless of his prosthetic. He enjoys working.

Before coming to NovaCare Prosthetics & Orthotics, many of Sean's concerns about his prosthesis were financial. Our center has made it a priority to work with him on payment schedules. He has also struggled with sores. Sean says Sharon Kelly, a multisite center director and certified prosthetist, has helped him with adjustments and sock selection, leading Sean to receiving his best-fitting prosthetic. She also fixed a squeaking issue that was bothering his wife.

As Sean continues to use our services, he looks forward to remaining active, volunteering and even doing some lumberjack work.

"I have stayed with NovaCare because of the relationship I have with them," he said. "I lived in Las Vegas for a while and although there were places there I could have gone to, I flew home to Minnesota for care."

We look forward to continuing to help you, Sean!

11/14/2024

Ava Schlosser’s knee injury sidelined her from the soccer pitch. She sprained her medial collateral ligament (MCL) and decided to try physical therapy for the first time at our Wilmington center.

At first, Ava feared it might be painful and even a chore. But with Physical Therapists Abby Warner and Daniel McConnell by her side, she later said, “I didn’t realize that I would actually really enjoy it, and although I am working hard, it’s fun.”

Together, they focused on strengthening her quads and hamstrings, balance training, knee stability exercises and functional drills to prepare her for the field. Thanks to her hard work and our dedicated team, Ava is now back doing what she loves most—playing soccer.

Ava shared, “I absolutely love the care I received. Abby and Dan are amazing. They’re knowledgeable, but more importantly, they care about you as a whole person, not just an athlete. They genuinely want you to succeed. Thank you!”

Thank you, Ava, for choosing us to be part of your journey. We couldn’t be happier to see you thriving.

11/13/2024

Diann Capoferri describes herself as 70 years young. She’s always loved playing tennis, bowling, swimming and strolling the boardwalk. However, in August 2021, Diann experienced complications following her knee replacement surgery. She got an infection, which led to a two-month hospitalization. When she came home, she developed MRSA, a severe staph infection, which led to sepsis. Diann was faced with two choices: amputation or risk her life. She decided to undergo an above-the-knee amputation.

Soon after, Diann turned to our NovaCare Rehabilitation center in Vineland, New Jersey, where she started her journey to recovery with Physical Therapist Sean Trocano. At first, Diann faced challenges adjusting to her new reality and learning to navigate without her leg. “But I am a survivor and I wouldn’t give up,” she said.

With persistence, Diann progressed from a wheelchair to a walker, then to a cane, all with the goal of reclaiming her independence. She was determined to tackle stairs, drive, shop and even tending to her garden. Today, Diann has achieved these goals and more. She continues to come to therapy with a smile.

“Everyone is so nice,” Diann said. “I’m glad I found you. Sean is really nice and showed me so much. He is a great man to do this kind of work; he’s always smiling and keeps my spirits up.”

Congratulations, Diann! We are so proud of your remarkable progress and thrilled to see you do what you love again.

11/12/2024

Roughly eight million high school students participate in sports. Health care providers such as athletic trainers and physical therapists are integral in addressing common sport-related injuries.

Keenan Johnson was one such athlete. As a senior playing high school football, he suffered a quad strain. It's a common injury that benefited from the . Athletic Trainer Erin Maloney and Physical Therapist Drew Jenk worked together, like a well-oiled machine, to diagnose, treat and return Keenan to sport.

Our Select Sports Centers of Excellence are proud to be an integral part of the athlete continuum of care.

11/11/2024

Navy veteran Dan Schwartz served two tours in Vietnam. During his service, he sustained a noncombat-related injury that required the amputation of his left leg.

In the 40 years since his surgery, Dan has been able to periodically receive new prosthetic legs through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. That has allowed him the freedom to walk and, ultimately, to work for the United States Postal Service.

Dan's prosthetist, who had been working with him for almost two decades, called wondering if Dan would try a new prosthetic: a battery-powered microprocessor foot and ankle system.

Surprised that they were going to test new technology on an "old guy" like him, Dan agreed and was impressed by the results.

"It keeps me young," said Dan. "It's restored a lot of the parts of my life I thought were over."

He and his wife recently brought a new puppy into their home, an Alaskan malamute named Creed. Dan's new foot, along with some puppy energy, have motivated him to get out of the house and get moving, which has assisted Dan in decreasing his weight and blood pressure.

He continues to be a patient at our Roseville center, occasionally requiring help with fittings.

It's an honor to continue to help veterans like Dan restore their lives.

11/11/2024

Today we salute the dedicated Select Medical veterans across our network of hospitals and outpatient centers. Thank you for your sacrifice and service.

11/08/2024

NovaCare Prosthetics & Orthotics patient Paul Ganzar uses a prosthetic following a below-the-knee amputation to his right leg. Certified Prosthetist AJ Moriarty works with Paul to make sure his prosthesis is comfortable and fits correctly. One tool AJ uses to do that is the OneStep app, which allows us to measure gait anywhere.

After installing the app, patients can put their smartphones in their pockets and simply walk. The app works with the built-in sensor in smartphones and captures data, such as orientation and acceleration, based on the movement and position of the phone.

The data is collected and automatically generates reports that promote interdisciplinary communication between the patient, physical therapist and physician.

The app helped AJ identify where Paul needed an adjustment and improve the performance of his device. We're glad we could help keep you as comfortable, confident, independent and active as possible.

11/07/2024

Have you been squatting wrong this whole time?

That improper form could lead to back pain or knee pain. You might be dealing with those issues and never knew the real cause.

Read our latest blog to learn three common and easy tests that can help.

In the world of sports, fitness and rehabilitation, understanding how the body moves is fundamental to optimizing performance and preventing injuries.

11/04/2024

We are excited for the start of basketball season! Today, Western Michigan heads to South Carolina to battle Coastal Carolina in men’s basketball action and we’re excited to provide care to the teams.

11/03/2024

Fall racing season is here. With so many races on the calendar, it's no wonder runners are ramping up their mileage. But that increase in volume can lead to those nagging aches and pains. Whether you just had your big race or it's coming up, our latest video dives into how physical therapy can keep you running strong, pain-free and ready for race day!
Contact a NovaCare Rehabilitation center near you and schedule an appointment to keep you on pace this season.

11/02/2024

Wind in his hair and a motor with two wheels under his feet ignite a passion in Cory Barker. He was riding his motorcycle when he said a distracted driver struck him from behind. Cory was airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries and ended up losing his left leg above the knee.

"I was worried I wouldn't be able to use a prosthetic and I would be stuck on crutches," Cory said. Then he came to see Certified Prosthetist & Orthotist Richard Thiele at our NovaCare Prosthetics & Orthotics center in Poplar Bluff.

"Richard did an amazing job showing me how to use a prosthetic leg," he said. "I mean, standing, walking, dancing with my wife... I got my life back."

Richard is happy he can now work, play with his kids and ride a motorcycle again with his friends. "I feel great, like I got a second chance to live life," Cory said. "I can't wait to beat my nephew in a foot race."

We're cheering you on, Cory! Thank you for choosing us for your care. We are honored to be your partner for life.

10/31/2024

Every Halloween, we get to see how wide NovaCare Rehabilitation's reach is. Many of our centers throughout the country took time to show off their spirit. Check out the gallery below to see some spooky and fun costumes. Thanks to our team members for joining in. We hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween! 👻🎃