08/04/2026
Hearing from our patients inspires us every day. Thank you to ๐๐ฑ ๐ฆ for sharing this feedback with us!
"Over the past 35+ years I had numerous physical therapy sessions by multiple therapists. I had physical therapy for my shoulder, hands, knee, multiple back treatments both prior to and after eight back surgeries. Most of the physical therapy involved a great deal of strengthening and exercises using different types of equipment. While some of these treatment plans had some results, they were greatly lacking any long term and often short term relief. There were a few therapists that would take a personal interest in the patient by addressing what the actual condition was and do some hands on therapy. Most however, would place me on a stationary bike or another piece of equipment and have me do an exercise for 10 or 15 minutes while they left me to attend to another patient.
I recently had a hip replacement performed by Doctor Steven Drayer. From my personal experience, if you need a hip replaced, this is the doctor that should do it. Back to Physical therapy. Naturally, after a hip replacement physical therapy is essential if you desire to have a quick and complete recovery. I was introduced to Sam at Samโs Physical Therapy prior to my surgery. Samโs has multiple locations in Mid-Michigan and one of his locations is within the doctorโs office. Sam takes a very unique approach with physical therapy. He doesnโt use mechanical equipment to get you back into condition. He doesnโt share your time with him by having other patients being treated at the same time and he doesnโt have a โone treatment planโ to fit all patients. Sam treats the patient as a unique case and develops a set of exercises that will strengthen the muscles and limbs that need development and as progress is being made the plan is adjusted in order to maximize the results.
In my case my right hip replacement was complicated due to a partially paralyzed right leg from a previous back injury three years ago. The physical therapy I had in the past did little to help this condition. Sam developed an exercise plan that began with some basic exercises to strengthen my leg, knee, thigh and hip. As time progressed the plan changed to the point that I can lift my leg, hold my leg straight and move it back and forth. I havenโt been able to do that for almost four years.
During the physical therapy session Sam would present the exercise, help you do it so that you know how itโs done and in my case he took pictures so that we had a reference of the exercise once we left and went home. The reason we did this is because going to physical therapy and doing the exercises is not enough to make the necessary improvement to get back to full recovery. Itโs just as important or more so to follow the exercise plan at home on a regular basis if a full recovery is expected.
I had my doubts at first whether Samโs was the place to go for physical therapy. The doubts were quickly eliminated after a short conversation with Sam. One reason to use Samโs was because he was located within the surgeonโs office suite. The second reason was that he treated me as a person with unique needs. The third was that he treats one patient at a time and you are the only one being treated during your therapy time. And fourth, after just a few sessions of treatment I experienced positive results. I have never before had such positive results with any therapy session in the past. I would highly recommend Samโs Physical therapy for any joint replacement surgery.
Edward Shand"
