Two Knee Replacements, Five Years Apart
New Technology at WESTARM Physical Therapy Transformed Sharon’s Recovery
After years of pain and serious decline in her mobility,
Sharon underwent not one, but two knee replacements
in five years. As someone who loves spending time
outdoors with her dogs and horses, she was determined
to be dedicated to her recovery and return to the active
lifestyle she cherished.
Following her first knee replacement, Sharon completed
her rehabilitation at Leechburg Facility to ensure she had the best possible recovery. During that time, she struggled with going up and down steps, experienced soreness and pain, and feared falling. While she eventually recovered after a year, the process was long and demanding.
When it came time for her second knee replacement, Sharon knew she needed a different approach to get back to her active lifestyle. Living in the country, uneven ground, animals, and snow heightened the importance of safe, stable walking. This time, the rehabilitation challenges she previously faced were drastically reduced with the help of the L360 Thigh System.
Luke Ladouceur, PT, MSPT, Facility Director of WESTARM Physical Therapy, recommended the L360 to help advance Sharon’s recovery because it improves stability and confidence, allowing her to safely challenge her range of motion.
“It was really remarkable, being able to see firsthand the difference the L360 made,” Ladouceur explained. “The device activates the muscles that support walking and stability, so patients aren’t just practicing movement, they’re reinforcing the right movement patterns.”
Sharon used the device during physical therapy sessions while practicing everyday activities like walking around her home, navigating stairs, and riding a stationary bike. Over time, she noticed meaningful improvements in both her mobility and confidence. “Even though this knee replacement was worse than my first one, my recovery was very different, and I was able to do things this time that I couldn’t do at the end of rehab before.”