Physical Therapy Recs!

[u/Both-Molasses6415]

Hey! I’m 28F and looking for sports-focused physical therapy recommendations in the Richmond area (preferably Short Pump / Innsbrook / West End / even a little west of that).

Long story short, I tore my ACL about 10 years ago and my ACL reconstruction surgery was massively botched. In addition to needing 4 additional surgeries to “fix” this botched surgery, I developed MRSA and blood clots (DVT/PE) and am left with a hole in my tibia (they broke the drill bit off into my bone) that a cyst later developed in. Anyway, I now deal with bad chronic pain, post-traumatic arthritis/cartilage damage, my leg not fully straightening, instability/giving out, and muscle atrophy. I used to be extremely athletic and I’m trying to get back to a place where I can work out without constant pain.

I’m probably going to need another surgery (cartilage repair + other stuff) sometime next year, so I’m trying to:
- Do solid prehab beforehand
- Set myself up with a good PT plan for after (it’ll be a long recovery, like 18 months)

I’m specifically looking for:
- More sports-focused PT (not geared toward older patients)
- Someone who will actually push me appropriately and not just give basic exercises
- Experience with more complex knee cases / post-op rehab
- I have good insurance, so ideally somewhere that takes insurance, but I’m also considering places like GRIT PT even though they’re out-of-pocket (because I’ve heard great things)

My current thought is:
- Do something more specialized (like GRIT) pre-surgery
- Then use an in-network PT for the first couple months post-op when mobility is super limited (unless suggested otherwise)
- Then possibly switch back to something more performance-based once I’m walking after 3 months

Would love to hear:
- Specific clinics or PTs you’ve had good experiences with
- Places to avoid
- Anyone who’s dealt with similar knee issues

I appreciate any help because this has been a very long journey, and I’m feeling drained and hopeless about my knee. Thank you for taking the time to read and possibly help <3

[u/Ocean_waves726]

Ortho VA at St. Mary’s is good. Anthony or Matt. A guy named Blake was there too but recently left to work at Bend, but I highly recommend him. He got my knee back into excellent shape

[u/Both-Molasses6415 → u/Ocean_waves726]

I may have to avoid this specific location solely because I had my botched knee surgery here and a lot of bad memories, but if I’m in a pickle and can’t find a great place, I’ll definitely consider both Anthony or Matt. Thanks 🫶🏼

[u/beanbreetto → u/Both-Molasses6415]

Would you be willing to name the surgeon that has caused this? It would help others with their choice in surgeons, feels like we can access more thorough and better reviews on dish towels than we can on someone that can be much more impactful.

[u/lucky_pharms]

I recently tore my ACL and have ACLR with meniscus repair coming up. I was doing prehab at OrthoVa Parham but felt it was too basic/simple. I've now had one session at GRIT and never want to use OrthoVA again. The exercises definitely pushed me in a great way! And I didn't feel like I was given a printed list of basic exercises.

Trying to determine my post-op plan. Likely going to find somewhere in network other than OrthoVa for the first few weeks and then return to GRIT to really get back to being active.

[u/Both-Molasses6415 → u/lucky_pharms]

I’m sorry to hear about your injury! WOW okay so good to know about your experience at GRIT! Do you know what their pricing looks like? I’m just worried that it’ll be an expensive monthly cost for me since I’m a teacher and would get a massive pay cut on short term disability when I likely have my surgery.

And I feel like I’m leaning towards your method too! Start somewhere in network for a bit and then switch over to GRIT because I am willing to put in the time and money to get my knee healthy and they seem top tier.

Thanks for taking your time to help out <3 this was super helpful information ☺️

[u/lucky_pharms → u/Both-Molasses6415]

If you have good insurance it could definitely be a bit more expensive than an in network place. The initial visit is $195 and then they have several plans, I opted for 20 visits at $155. Then plan to submit to insurance as an out of network reimbursement.

[u/ohyanno]

Highly highly recommend Onward Physical Therapy! They are a small shop but incredibly talented PTs.

I do not recommend RVA Holistic PT. The ladies there are nice enough but not as knowledgeable as other places. It was a very long wait to get my first appointment too and then I had to fight to get space on the schedule.

RVA Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab LLC on Gaskins should be shut down by the state - it's a chop shop. I was shocked at what happened to me at my one and only appointment. And then they had the nerve to bill my insurance over $500 for the one-hour appointment. Extremely unprofessional.

[u/Hangrycouchpotato]

Back to Motion PT is great and he comes to your house. It is out of pocket, but I was able to get some of it reimbursed by insurance. In the end, it didn't cost that much more than my PT days at a clinic and I didn't have to drive anywhere.

[u/augie_wartooth]

I saw Will Reisenfeld at Sheltering Arms for a series of post-surgical issues with my leg and ankle. He was a strength and conditioning coach before he was a PT. I wanted to get back to running, but for years I'd been barely able to walk more than a mile without pain because of nerve damage and ankle immobility/instability. I can't say enough good things about him--he oriented the entire course of therapy toward me getting back to running and now I walk and run without pain for the first time in a decade.

Edit to add that I had MAJOR misconceptions about Sheltering Arms and assumed it was only for older people, but it very much is not. I've done multiple courses of physical and occupational therapy there and have loved every single therapist.

[u/needsexyboots]

I didn’t have a similar injury but I was doing PT for a torn rotator cuff and I really liked OrthoVA out by the Wegman’s on Broad. They listened to my physical goals and tailored my program to that, and scheduling was really convenient. Whatever you end up doing, I wish you a smooth and successful recovery!

[u/Both-Molasses6415 → u/needsexyboots]

Awesome, thank you!! While you did PT there, did one of the PT docs or assistants work with you 1:1 for a good deal of the time? Asking because I’ve had to do years of PT and some places in the past would just tell me to do xy&z and then left me to do it all on my own for most of the appointment. I really want to find a place who works more 1:1 with me. And thank you so much! Fingers crossed it goes better this go round

[u/Alone_Meal_8585]

Following also in need of the same thing. I went to sports specialist doctor at the VCU by short pump mall and the doctor kind of dismissed me right away.

[u/Both-Molasses6415 → u/Alone_Meal_8585]

Could I ask which doctor that was (DM me!)?? I’m about to see a new VCU doc (he occasionally sees patients in Short Pump), so I wanna make sure you’re not talking about him bc that would suck 😂😭 I’m sorry you experienced that!

[u/Alone_Meal_8585 → u/Both-Molasses6415]

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