Martin Tweedie - Results Through Physiotherapy
Martin Tweedie’s world was turned up-side down a couple of years ago when he was involved in a catastrophic motorbike accident whilst on his way to work.
Martin, who was then 30, spent months in hospital with life threatening injuries and had to undergo an above the knee amputation due to the severity of the damage to his leg and the threat of developing septicaemia.
He describes the days following the operation as very traumatic but says he was so grateful to be alive that he just dealt with the surgery in the best possible way. “It was sink or swim following the operation and I was not prepared to go under,” he said.
After spending 12 months frustrated with the prosthetic provision he was receiving, he decided to seek private treatment and had a c-leg fitted. Martin spent a lot of time researching prosthetics provision in the UK and in 2005 attended a BACPAR (British Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Amputee Rehabilitation) seminar led by PACE physiotherapist Carolyn Hale.
Martin says this is the point at which things really changed for him. He comments; “I didn’t know what a vital role physiotherapy plays in the rehabilitation process. After just three days of physio treatment with Carolyn I was running, allbeit very slowly, but I was still running – I could not believe it. Running had been a favourite pastime of mine prior to my accident and something that I really doubted I would ever be able to do again.”
He still visits Carolyn at PACE for treatment and having had a running prosthesis built earlier in the year is currently training towards his first half marathon next year.
PACE’s resident physiotherapist Carolyn said; “Not many people manage to run using a transfemoral prosthesis, but Martin was determined to try. Having purchased a prosthesis that was suitable for running, he approached us asking to teach him how.
“In order to run Martin needed to be able to land on the prosthesis with impact, tolerating the increased socket pressures. Hip and trunk stability, strength and stamina play a large role too. A fitness assessment first ensured that Martin was well enough to start training. Having mastered the basic components of running in the clinic, we ventured outside to the running track. At this point we involved the help of a local fitness trainer, Alan Bailey, who could advise Martin on technique and programmes for competitive running. Martin is doing really well, he is a very determined character.
Inspired and motivated by the results of physiotherapy, Martin has decided to study the discipline and is currently completing an access course and plans to begin a physiotherapy degree September 2007.