Mission PT - November 2021

MEET PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT RENEE PRIVETT!

Renee Privett is a board-certified physician assistant who has specialized in orthopedic/sports medicine injuries since 2002. Originally from Northern California, Renee moved to Arizona in 1997 after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from California State University, Chico. She went on to earn a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona. Having worked in many orthopedic specialty care settings, Renee has an extensive background in treating all types of orthopedic/sports medicine injuries. Her experience includes sports medicine-related injuries, general orthopedics, osteoarthritic care, foot and ankle subspecialties, shoulder subspecialties, fracture care, and orthopedic trauma surgery. She has worked alongside excellent orthopedic/sports medicine physicians and surgeons throughout her career, learning new techniques and obtaining invaluable cutting-edge experience. Renee takes her time with her patients and truly listens to their orthopedic/sports medicine needs. Since she was a high school and collegiate athlete, she understands an athlete’s need to return to play as well as the various types of traumatic injuries and overuse injuries that can occur

with daily activity. She prides herself in her quality of care to every individual she treats, and she wants to make sure her patients understand their diagnosis and all treatment options. By working under the philosophy of compassionate collaboration, Renee and her patients establish achievable and successful treatment plans. When Renee is not at work, she enjoys experiencing new adventures and spending time with her husband, two sons, and their family dogs. She leads an active lifestyle

with daily exercise and outdoor activities like paddleboarding and hiking. She also has a creative side and enjoys baking and decorating custom cakes and cupcakes. Renee is excited to be a part of the Modern Physical Therapy team, and she looks forward to helping you feel better, move better, and get back to life!

PHYSICAL THERAPY HELPED QUARTERBACK ALEX SMITH DETERMINATION THROUGH THE RECOVERY PROCESS

Earlier this year, Alex Smith retired from the NFL after helping the Washington Football Team achieve an NFC East title last year — but that’s not what most people will remember him for. Rather, they will remember Smith for fighting through one of the worst injuries ever sustained by a player in the history of the game. For anyone who might be unfamiliar with his story, here are a few of the basics: On Nov. 18, 2018, Smith sustained a spiral and compound fracture in his tibia and fibula in his right leg after getting sacked by Kareem Jackson. He was rushed to surgery immediately, but that was just the beginning. A serious infection in Smith’s blood led to a series of medical complications and 17 more surgeries. All of this should have meant Smith was done with professional football for good. After all, he nearly lost his leg!

But thanks to his determination, and help from a qualified physical therapist, he was able to steadily recover. In February 2019, Smith was cleared by the office of the secretary of defense to receive a medical consultation from the military at the Center for the Intrepid, a rehab center normally reserved for combat veterans. However, Smith’s injuries were severe enough that they actually mirrored a lot of what the doctors at the facility were used to working with. The Washington Team’s physician, Dr. Robin West, made the visit possible after she contacted her friend Johnny Owens, a physical therapist who used to work at the Center for the Intrepid. He got Smith connected with the team of physical therapists at the facility. Then, he got to work. According to Smith’s wife, he was doing physical therapy five, sometimes six times a week. He seemed determined to recover, and in the end, it paid off. Against all odds, Smith returned to the field for his final season with the NFL, almost completely recovered from his injury. In many ways, Smith represents what can happen when someone fully dedicates themselves to their recovery — a new life, where he could do things that no one thought would be possible for him again

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