Thread by @R4P_UK

Our patient @_ryleefoster was involved in big car accident in 2021. She broke her neck and suffered multiple other injuries.

She is a professional goalkeeper at @LiverpoolFCW and the target is to get back playing.

This is her last year just out of the Halo neck device

🧵 1/11

And this is her now…check out the neck bulk 🤩!!

We have focussed on building neck strength after she suffered a life threatening injury and lost so much muscle after being immobilised in the Halo brace…

How did we do it?

Why is it needed?

The main reason it is needed beyond general life is that Rylee wants to get back to the demands of her job…she is a goalkeeper and will need to dive again with safety and confidence …

Yesterday was her first “dive” since before the accident…a huge moment in her rehab!!

Along the way we have worked on fine motor control and proprioception

But to take somebody from this back to impact landings…we needed strength

This is a few months ago introducing low level isometrics using the Don Gatherer system to control forces…

And the same targeting side flexion..

This is through range strength work using traditional neck weights system

Along the way C-spine strength hitting some impressive benchmarks for elite female athletes.

Holding flexion isometrics at 80% of break test score!

Pushing isometrics

100% intensity focussing on maximal RFD.

Whilst @_ryleefoster still has a long way to go we are so proud of how far she has come.

We have provided the specialised Physiotherapy input for such a complex injury and worked closely with the medical team @LiverpoolFCW

Follow us for more inspirational rehab journeys.

#rehab #neckrehab #neckinjury #goalkeeperlife