Jeremy Bielby, a 30-year-old civil engineer living in NYC, has always led an active lifestyle. He often hops between different job sites across the five boroughs of New York; he loves catching a fitness class at Flywheel and The Workout Factory; and he loves playing different sports, including basketball, golf and soccer. His athletic activities, however, came to a screeching halt during a soccer match, when he suffered a knee cap dislocation, also known as patella subluxation. “I heard a slight tearing sound in my left knee and immediately collapsed to the ground,” Jeremy recalls of the incident. Even worse—the accident occurred just two months before his upcoming wedding date.
After a few orthopedic surgeon appointments, it was deemed that all his major ligaments were intact, but he had some micro tears in the small ligaments in his left knee. It was clear physical therapy would be necessary. Jeremy decided to return to SPEAR—he had previously sought treatment for a fractured vertebra in his neck from Matthew Hosokawa, PT, DPT at our E 56th St location, working together for two months to get him back to life.
For his knee injury, Jeremy began working with Sebastian Altomarino, PT, DPT. With a very time-dependent recovery process up ahead of him, he had plenty of work to do. Jeremy had three major goals in mind: 1) to walk down the aisle and stand at the altar to see his wife on their wedding day; 2) to dance the night away at his reception with friends and family; and 3) to be able to enjoy their upcoming honeymoon in South Africa to the fullest. Sebastian and Jeremy worked together on a treatment program that would work with his plans—Jeremy had THREE upcoming weddings for friends to attend, and he wanted to be fully present at them all, dancing included!
“Every day Sebastian was always in a great mood and happy to see my progress throughout this journey. He knew how to keep me motivated.”
After each wedding Jeremy attended (and all that dancing), the two would touch base to see how Jeremy was feeling and determine if his treatment needed to be adjusted. He continued to push himself daily with the at-home exercises Sebastian recommended to him, recognizing consistency as the key to his success. The true test came during a trip Jeremy had planned with friends months before: an intense white water rafting adventure in Maine. They were both relieved when he returned from his trip having experienced no major setbacks!
Jeremy and his new bride exchanging their wedding vows
A knee injury couldn’t stop Jeremy from getting to Table Mountain in Cape Town!
Jeremy continued his sessions with Sebastian until a week before the wedding. Not only was he able to get back to his former lifestyle—he was able to accomplish all of the goals he set for himself! He joined his wife up on the altar on their wedding day; he danced the night away at his friends’ weddings and his own; and he visited South Africa for his honeymoon, even hiking up Table Mountain overlooking the capital city of Cape Town. “I gave 110% for all my exercises,” Jeremy says, “—and the results showed.”
Now, Jeremy is feeling great overall, though still easing into playing group sports. Jeremy’s story is a great example to follow: putting in the necessary hard work doesn’t mean having to give up the momentous occasions in life. “I’m hoping that I really don’t have to come back in an ideal world,” Jeremy says, “—but you never know.” We hope not either, Jeremy—but we’re always here with open arms if need be!
