Patient benefits from technology, family support
Driven by determination and supported by her medical team and family, an 89-year-old Highland woman had one goal: to walk again.
LaVerne Broviak, a mother and grandmother, had both legs amputated 6 inches below her knees in recent years and was fitted with prosthetic legs. Her left leg was amputated in January 2022 and her right leg in April 2023. LaVerne had undergone 17 procedures over a short period of time to treat peripheral artery disease. Her medical team recommended the amputation.
“The treatments got to be too much,” she said. “When this happened, I wasn’t happy, but I thought, ‘Why sit and cry? That’s not going to do anything. This is just a setback. I’m going to walk. I will.’”
With the help of Powers Health Therapy Services, she’s back on her feet and looking forward to the day she can walk with only a cane. A major part of her therapy involves the Ovation Interactive Treadmill System.
The advanced physical therapy technology supports patients while protecting them from falls during their therapy sessions. Ovation, which features a launchpad that raises and lowers for wheelchair and walker access, uses a treadmill outfitted with a harness and railings to support physical therapy patients.
Ovation is able to unload up to 300 pounds of body weight, meaning patients feel much lighter as they use the treadmill. The technology also features settings that detect when patients are losing their balance and need more support to avoid falling.
Ovation is a great tool to assist patients in maximizing their independence and safety when wearing prosthetic legs. The system allows them to practice balance and gait training.
As they walk on the body weight support treadmill, patients face an “infotainment” screen that displays several health metrics as well as a high-resolution image of different scenery. With just a tap, patients can pretend they’re navigating a wooded, snowy forest or a sandy beach.
The technology monitors metrics, such as heart rate, calories burned and intervals, and displays that data on a second screen, allowing the physical therapist to adjust settings based on the patient’s needs.
Consistency is key in LaVerne’s progress. Aside from her on-site therapy, her family ensures she follows up at home.
Powers Health Physical Therapist Brett Fulka jokes that LaVerne’s oldest son is an honorary member of the Therapy Services team because he is at her side for sessions and tries to re-create the movements at home.
Compliance with therapy “homework” leads to better outcomes.
“Those are the patients that do the best,” Fulka said. “The ones who say, ‘We worked on that in therapy last time and I started practicing that at home.’”
Fulka said LaVerne’s commitment to her progress is commendable.
“She’s little, but she’s got fight in her,” he said. “A lot of patients who have lost both legs give up; the compliance with therapy is not good. But, she’s amazing, and it helps that she has an amazing support system.”
LaVerne says her family, which includes four sons, one daughter and five grandchildren, is very supportive. Her children have worked out a schedule so someone is always with LaVerne at home. They also have ensured the inside of her house is outfitted for safety and accessibility.
She also is grateful to Fulka and the Powers Health Therapy Service team.
“Brett is nothing but the best,” she said.
LaVerne, who has atrial fibrillation and has experienced two strokes, is driven by strong willpower and grit to meet her goals. She keeps her mind and hands busy by creating needlepoint pieces.
“In between, I do my exercises,” she said.
LaVerne is approaching her 90th birthday with the confidence she will walk with little to no assistance.
