A Firefighter was recently referred to Dr. Galle through the Ready Rebound program for first responders after injuring his thumb while riding his dirt bike. Getting an appointment through the Ready Rebound program was quick and easy and the patient was able to book an appointment within days of his injury. After meeting with Dr. Galle for an examination of his thumb, he was scanned later that same day in the on-site MRI at Proliance Hand, Wrist and Elbow. Quick access to surgeons and faster access to imaging such as MRIs are just two of the many benefits of the Ready Rebound program described in this blog post and here on Dr. Galle’s website.
“I had to drive quite a ways to get to the clinic, so it was hugely helpful that I was able to have my MRI imaging done that same day. The results came back quickly, too. Dr. Galle called me on my drive home to give me the MRI results and scheduled me for surgery the following week.”
This high level of efficiency comes from having an excellent team of integrated support staff at Proliance Hand, Wrist and Elbow Physicians and Proliance Eastside Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
The patient had sustained a thumb metacarpalphalangeal joint ulnar collateral ligament rupture. This is a fairly common injury and Dr. Galle has talked about UCL injuries on the radio and podcasts. Dr. Galle has also given talks in front of hand therapists on how medical professionals can better manage this particular injury.
Our Firefighter went on to describe his experience at the surgery center as exceptional. The Proliance Eastside Surgery Center in Kirkland, Washington, was easy to find and offered ample parking. The check-in process was smooth, and the staff treated both he and his wife with a high degree of professionalism and compassion.
“Every person on the team that day from the nurses to the anesthesiologist and Dr. Galle himself was warm and approachable and put both me and my wife at ease. My post-operative nurse was especially attentive. She helped manage my nausea and even recommended a nearby ramen restaurant when I told her that was the only thing I felt like eating.”
Following surgery, the patient was anxious to return to work as a firefighter and his active lifestyle. He was given the option of several East-side locations to complete his post-operative hand therapy and selected Issaquah.
“One really cool thing that happened was while I was at physical therapy [for my hand]. My awesome therapist mentioned that she was going to an event that evening where Dr. Galle was discussing updated recommendations for recovery from my injury. My therapist told me Dr. Galle had used a newer surgical technique to fix my injury which resulted in a faster recovery and Dr. Galle requested more advanced, aggressive therapy for me than is typically seen. Because Dr. Galle used cutting-edge treatment, I was back at work as a Firefighter 9-10 weeks post-op while most patients can’t even begin strength-training until 10-12 weeks after surgery.”
From injury to diagnostics to treatment and finally recovery, Dr. Galle helps make your return to pre-injury activity the priority, and results like these speak for themselves.
