Movement Is Healing

Non-surgical knee solution for lifelong dancer

“I will never stop dancing, as long as I am able to move,” says 67-year-old Helen Raickovich of Brighton. Thanks to non-surgical treatment for severe knee pain at Henry Ford Medical Center in Plymouth, Helen won’t be retiring her tap shoes anytime soon.

A dancer from the age of five, Helen was trained in ballet, modern jazz and tap. She owned her own dance studio for 30 years and has worked with senior citizens since it closed in 2008. Helen currently assists with activities at an independent living center, where she teaches chair tap dancing. She is passionate about teaching, so she was understandably concerned when she started having knee pain.

An Unexpected Setback

“I tried to ignore it and work through the pain, hoping it would go away,” Helen recalled. But, after slipping on the steps just before heading to visit her daughter in Cincinnati, Helen could barely walk.

After arriving at her daughter’s home, she went to a nearby orthopedic urgent care center. The doctor there told Helen her knee was too swollen for a clear x-ray, but she likely had a tear in the meniscus—a c-shaped piece of cartilage that stabilizes the knee and absorbs shock. It would need to be surgically repaired. Helen was given a shot of cortisone to ease the pain. She was advised to see an orthopedic specialist and get an MRI when she got back to Michigan.

Relief Through Non-Surgical Care

The prospect of knee surgery was devastating to Helen. “My first thoughts were how will I be able to continue teaching and how will this affect my very active life,” she said.

After a painful four-hour drive back home, Helen bought a knee brace and made an appointment with Henry Ford sports medicine specialist Andrew Cunningham, M.D. “The office staff was wonderful and fit me in right away,” she said. Dr. Cunningham had already checked Helen’s online medical record, MyChart, and was aware she also has osteoporosis. He ordered x-rays, examined her knee thoroughly and determined that her pain could be treated without surgery. “I was so relieved,” Helen said. “Dr. Cunningham gave me confidence that I would be okay.”

The Power of Movement

Dr. Cunningham recommended movement and exercise to keep the knee joint from stiffening further. He also told Helen she did not need a brace. Instead, she should listen to her body and know her limits. If the pain were to get worse, Helen should contact his office.

Following Dr. Cunningham’s advice, Helen was able to teach a tap-dancing class within a week. “Being physically active all my life definitely helped the healing process,” she said.

A strong advocate for physical activity at any age, Helen encourages her senior dance students never to stop moving. “Everyone can do something to improve their strength and flexibility. Even just moving your body in place or from a chair—or simply opening and closing your fingers—is helpful,” she said. “Just use caution and enjoy yourself."

Most importantly, don’t be afraid to see a doctor if you have joint pain. “At Henry Ford Health, we love helping people getting back to the things they enjoy doing,” said Dr Cunningham. “Sometimes that requires long and complicated treatment. And sometimes it’s as simple as providing a listening ear and reassurance.”