Life Care Center of Banner Elk helps leg fracture patient be independent

When Janice Robbins sustained a tibia and fibula facture and had to have surgery to repair her leg, she needed help to heal and get back to her independent lifestyle.

Janice chose to do her rehabilitation at Life Care Center of Banner Elk, North Carolina. She arrived at the facility on May 9, 2020, and started working with physical, occupational and speech therapists.

At first, Janice was non-weightbearing for 10 weeks, and then she was only allowed to hop to get in and out of bed and transfer to a wheelchair. In mid-July, she was cleared to put full weight on her leg. She practiced walking with a walker and an ankle-foot orthosis to help with the foot-drop she was experiencing as a result of the surgery.

“Overall, therapy has been good,” Janice said. “From physical therapy, I’ve learned to be careful and pick up my foot when walking. From occupational therapy, I’ve learned to use the Theraband [resistance band] to strengthen my arms. I feel my arms and legs have both gotten stronger.”

Janice returned home on July 30. She is now independent once again.