Success Stories - Camille Dent - - Elementary Teacher, Auto Accident
Camille's Accident - The Injuries
In early November 2002, school teacher Camille Dent was involved in an auto accident. The road was a dead-end but unmarked with no barrier, and the car hit a tree. She was wearing a seat belt-which helped save her life-but her life was to change dramatically. She was transported to LSU Health Sciences Center, the area's Level I Trauma Center, where she spent nine days, most of those in intensive care. She was then transferred to WK Bossier Health Center before going home to recuperate.
Among her injuries were broken ribs, fractured neck, and a broken sternum - not to mention the bruise from the seatbelt that lasted for 10 weeks. Her lungs were affected as well, and she began pulmonary rehabilitation to strengthen her lungs and improve her breathing. Though she had been referred to pulmonary rehabilitation, physical therapy had not been suggested even though she was experiencing significant back pain.
The Christmas Discovery
Almost two months after the accident the back pain continued. It was so severe that she could not sit up or sleep comfortably. At night she couldn't roll over on her side or lie on her back. Her neck was so stiff that she could not turn it to look backwards, thus, she couldn't drive. But hope was to come in the form of a suggestion from a member of her church group. Since she was confined to the house, her church friends brought her Christmas dinner and visited with her. Spending time with her, one of the church members suggested that she could get some relief for the back with the spine program at Willis-Knighton. Her physician agreed.
Her Therapy
Camille's therapy for back and neck began with muscle stimulation and mobilization of the first rib. The therapist told her that much of the pain was coming from the area where the ribs joined the spine. She began supervised exercises, stretching and doing the things that were "really hard," considering her injuries. They were hard, but they helped.
Camille's Result
"Each time we reevaluated to see if we should continue, and each time it was obvious that I was improving," she said. "It wasn't easy work, but it helped a whole lot." Camille continues with the supervised exercise to strengthen her back. She has joined a WK Wellness Center and now goes twice a week. This regimen has allowed her to control the pain and return to her teaching job at North Highlands Elementary School.
What She Likes About The Spine Institute
- "It's obvious they know what they are doing. My daughter is a physical therapist. She came into town one day and went with me to my appointment. She watched my therapist and said, 'Mom, he's really good.'"
- "They have helped me strengthen my back and neck muscles so that I can have more control."
- "I'm back at school and bending over students' desks to look at their papers without pain."
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