Handling Long-Term Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is the process through which recovery from serious injury is facilitated. When you break bones, damage cartilage, strain tendons or pull ligaments, physical therapy might be required to regain full use of muscle groups. This is particularly true when a limb or area of the body must be held immobile for several months, such as in a cast.

The problem comes when physical therapy is required over an extended period of time; long-term physical therapy can be extremely difficult and often involves an inordinate amount of pain.

Barry K. Densa, a 24-year-old amateur Motocross rider from Dallas, Texas, learned firsthand just how dangerous it can be to ride a motorcycle through harrowing twists and turns while covered with mud and spiked with adrenaline. In February of 2007, during a "Supermini" Motocross competition, Densa slid into a turn with too much force and wound up breaking both of his arms and legs.

Motocross, which originated in Europe, is considered one of the most dangerous and most physically demanding sports in the world. In addition to controlling a motorcycle in the mud and around turns, jumps and other obstacles are often involved, sometimes leading to bone-crunching falls that end careers forever.

Densa, whose father was also a Motocross rider, insists that his injuries haven't quelled his love for the sport. However, he hasn't yet been able to return to his rigorous training because he hasn't completed sufficient physical therapy to return to his prior condition.

After seven surgeries, more than six months in the hospital and two rounds of infections, Densa has finally been allowed to return home to his family. The original fractures and breaks in his arms and legs were the least of his worries; the infections wreaked havoc with his internal organs and left him emaciated and without any energy. He's feeling better now, but months of physical therapy await.