 Wind
in his sails
The importance of physical therapy
During the surgery, the damaged ends of the leg bones are precisely
removed, along with the surface of the kneecap. The thighbone is capped
with metal, while the lower leg bone is fitted with a plastic-topped metal
platform, and a plastic kneecap is put into place. Elbaum's operation
lasted about two hours and he remained at The Miriam Hospital for five
days. "The surgery was over quickly, but the physical therapy is
another story. It goes on and on," he laughs.
Physical therapy, in fact, is one
of the most important aspects of joint replacement recovery and begins
right away. Rigorous workouts three times a week for a month. Elbaum
maintains his exercise regimen of walking, leg lifts and stationary biking
on his own twice a day.
When May '98 rolled around, just five months after surgery and when the
water and winds on Narragansett Bay were calling, Elbaum was ready to hit
the waves.
"The first time out I was very
apprehensive. There was a nice breeze, so I got going-nothing happened. I
picked up the speed-nothing happened. I started planing, a transition
maneuver to increase speed even more-nothing happened. I knew I was
there!"
A new lease
on life 
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