What was your favorite part about your experience at OrthoRehab?
I appreciated everyone’s kindness and flexibility with my work schedule. From the moment I walked in, the front desk team greeted me warmly and accommodated my need for early morning and late evening appointments. The scheduling system at OrthoRehab Specialists is designed for convenience, and I never felt rushed or left waiting.
The clinic itself is welcoming and bright. In the waiting area I found comfortable seating, up-to-date magazines, and informational brochures about our physical therapy services. The treatment rooms are private, clean, and equipped with the latest tools for manual therapy techniques, balance drills, and functional training. I could tell that the environment was designed to put patients at ease and to optimize healing.
My favorite part was the consistent improvement of my knee. Four weeks into my program, I noticed that I could bend and straighten my knee more fully than I had in months. My therapist measured my range of motion with a goniometer at every session and tracked my progress on a chart posted discreetly in the treatment room. Seeing those numbers increase week after week was incredibly motivating. It felt like a team effort, with both the therapy team and I celebrating each milestone, whether it was walking without a limp, climbing stairs with less pain, or regaining my ability to pivot comfortably during sports or daily activities.
With respect to your injury, how has the OrthoRehab team impacted your life?
Thanks to physical therapy at our Edina clinic and Minneapolis clinic, my knee no longer limits my exercise routine or my overall wellness. Before starting therapy, I struggled with simple activities like walking my dog around the block or standing for long periods at work.
Under the guidance of my therapist, I embarked on a structured treatment plan that combined manual therapy techniques with targeted strengthening exercises and balance training. Manual therapy sessions included gentle joint mobilizations to improve patellar tracking and soft tissue work to release tight muscles around the hip and calf. These hands-on techniques were complemented by weight-bearing exercises such as mini squats, step-downs, and lunges performed under careful supervision.
One of the most impactful components was the integration of functional training into each session. Rather than focusing solely on isolated muscle groups, we worked on movements that mimic everyday tasks; getting in and out of a chair, stepping up onto a curb, and even practicing motions involved in my favorite activities like tennis and golf. As my strength and control improved, the therapist introduced dynamic drills to challenge my balance and proprioception, such as single-leg hops and agility ladder footwork. These exercises built confidence in my knee’s stability and helped me feel secure when walking on uneven surfaces.
My therapist also equipped me with a comprehensive home exercise program. She demonstrated each movement, provided written instructions, and shared video links via the patient portal so I could review proper form. On days when I could not make it to the clinic, I performed those exercises at home or in the office, using minimal equipment like resistance bands and a small step. This self-management strategy ensured that progress continued between visits.
If you were to recommend your physical therapist to a friend, what would you say?
Dr. Julia Fischer is the best! I trust her evidence-based approach and her kind demeanor makes her wonderful to work with. From our first session she took time to listen to my history, understand my goals, and explain the rationale behind each treatment technique. Julia holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and is board certified in orthopaedic manual therapy.
She communicates clearly and compassionately. When I asked questions about anatomy or the expected timeline for recovery, she broke down complex concepts into easy-to-understand explanations. She uses tactile cues to guide movement, verbal cues to reinforce proper form, and even created simple diagrams to help me visualize muscle activation patterns. At every step she celebrated my successes and offered reassurance when setbacks occurred.
Julia also stays current with continuing education and regularly attends workshops on topics such as blood flow restriction training, dry needling, and advanced taping techniques. Thanks to her ongoing learning, I benefited from targeted interventions like Kinesio taping to support the patellar tendon and dry needling to release trigger points in the quadriceps muscle.
If you have a knee injury or any other musculoskeletal issue, I would tell you to schedule an evaluation with Julia as soon as possible. You can call 952-922-0330 for Edina or 612-339-2041 for Minneapolis. You will find a welcoming team, state-of-the-art facilities, and a true partner in your recovery journey.
Next Steps and Resources
- Learn more about our Physical Therapy Services
- Meet our Physical Therapist Team
- Find answers in our FAQ section
- Read patient stories on our Testimonials page
We look forward to partnering with you on your path to lasting recovery and improved function. Contact us today to get started.
