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Quitting is not an Option: Jerry’s Success Story

April 23, 2026 | Patient Success Stories
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By Allison R. Weder

“I was raised that you don’t quit. So, I didn’t. I didn’t stop doing anything, and that probably made it worse.” – Jerry, Prattville, AL Patient

That “Don’t Quit” attitude kept Jerry Keel going for a while, but eventually, the severe pain in his knee was too much. “I’ve had a hard-working life. I’m a retired police officer, then I went to work for a workman’s comp insurance company. I traveled around to five states and basically lived out of a hotel. It got to a point where I just couldn’t keep up that pace, so I took a job with our local home improvement store. I spent eight hours a day walking across concrete floors, lifting and going up and down ladders, and operating the equipment and it really started taking its toll on my knees.” Jerry could barely walk to his truck at the end of the day. His primary care doctor prescribed physical therapy to help reduce the pain.

Jerry chose Phoenix Physical Therapy in Prattville, Alabama. “My wife had both her knees replaced and we used Phoenix during that time. They took care of her.” Jerry talked with Clinic Director, Corey Walker, PT, DPT about his knee pain. “I trust Corey, and he told me the only thing that’s going to fix this (pain) is going to be surgery. And I agreed. So, I went and talked to a surgeon, and he told me the exact same thing.” Jerry had to wait six months for the surgery, but the day after, he was back at Phoenix PT – Prattville, ready for rehabilitation.

The first day of post-surgical rehabilitation is a day for evaluation and small movements. Jerry remembers the process. “(Corey) unbandaged my knee, looked at it, and told me the stitches and everything looked good. He bent (my knee) but of course, the day after surgery, that block is still in.” Most knee replacements include a nerve block used to manage post-operative pain, reduce opioid consumption, and enable faster rehabilitation. “Corey came up with a plan for my treatment. I needed to go three days a week.”

Jerry’s team not only crafted a plan just for him, but they also prepared treatment adjustments for a different health issue he had been dealing with for years. “I have a lot of swelling in my legs because I have varicose veins. It hampered the recovery from surgery because my legs swell up.” Sometimes, the swelling made it difficult for Jerry to accomplish what he wanted. But Corey and Courtney De La Fuente, PTA took the time to reassure Jerry and compassionately lift his spirits. “They could see in my eyes how bad I was hurting and the depression that I was going through. And Courtney always had a way of lifting me back up. And I guess that’s what made me fall in love with these people. They take a personal interest and work with you to get you there. Even when you’re not, they make you feel like you are.”

Jerry quickly got to know everyone in the clinic and always tried to lift their spirits as well. “Nine days after surgery, I did my physical therapy in a Santa Claus outfit. I brought little gifts for everybody there, including the other patients.” In April, Jerry showed up as the Easter bunny. But with all the fun came the challenging work as well. “The exercise bike is usually how I started a session. Then I’d go to this staircase where they had a platform that you would put your feet on to stretch the arches. Then I went around the steps and tried to step up with my surgery knee and reach down with my good heel to touch the floor. And that was probably one of the hardest ones I tried to do.” Jerry also used exercise bands to mobilize his knee in all four directions.

Jerry had good days and bad days. “The numbers were usually going up each time they measured the knee. Sometimes they stayed the same. Sometimes my knee was swollen and they went in reverse. I went into a serious depression when they went in reverse. I thought, I’m failing at this and it’s driving me crazy.” Jerry shared his concerns with Courtney and Corey. “They always had a way to bring me back up. Eventually, (my knee) just kept getting stronger and stronger, and after eight weeks, I thought I was going to get released from a doctor, even though I wasn’t quite at the measurements that they wanted.” Jerry visited his surgeon and he recommended he continue physical therapy for another four weeks.

Jerry’s last four weeks of PT went quickly and discharge day finally came. “I got released from the doctor, and I actually went back (to Phoenix) with a graduation cap, and we did a graduation ceremony. I really wanted them to know how much I appreciate them pushing me because it’s one thing to sit there and make friends with people. But they were able to push me to get to where I am now. Now, I’m back at work eight hours a day with no restrictions on that same concrete floor. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to get there. I walk to my truck now and it doesn’t hurt like it did. And the surgery was absolutely worth every penny spent. But physical therapy to make that knee work, well, there’s just not enough words to say thank you for what Phoenix did for me to get me to that point.”

Jerry knows his therapy team at Phoenix PT – Prattville, played a significant role in his recovery and believes the work he put in could not be done on his own. “You could go through the motions, but you can’t get deep down in it and get the corrections that you need. If you’re not doing it right, you can’t get the guidance that you need. (The therapists) also keep you motivated. And that’s all part of it, too. It’s not just a matter of doing the exercises, it’s staying motivated to do the exercises. And I just don’t think I would do that on my own at home.” Jerry also believes the friendships he made during his time at Phoenix are priceless and he has a therapy team for life. “Seeing everyone three days a week for that long, they became family. There is a lot of actual physical therapy, so you carry on conversations. You get caught up with their children and their families. So, you do get to become family.” Corey found friendship treating Jerry as well. “Jerry always brought a since of joy and excitement to the clinic and the patients around him. We enjoyed treating him and watching him achieve his goals. We look forward to seeing him in the community and dropping by the clinic in his festive holiday attires.”

The entire Phoenix Physical Therapy Team is committed to providing our patients with quality physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy in a safe and healthy clinic environment. We continue to follow the guidance provided by the CDC, WHO and public health officials to update you as new information becomes available. Let’s work together to keep each other safe and healthy.

The safety of our patients, communities and team members remains our top priority. We know you have a choice in your care providers and appreciate your commitment to Phoenix and our qualified clinicians.

Here are the actions we have taken to keep our patients, communities and team healthy & safe:

  • Flexible scheduling allows for social distancing
  • Regular cleaning and sanitation of all clinic surfaces
  • Facemasks must be worn by all Phoenix staff and are recommended for all patients
  • Screening questionnaire and temperature checks prior to entering clinics
  • 6 feet of social distancing throughout the clinics

Keeping Our Clinics Safe

Here are some tips on how we can keep each other safe:

  • Handwashing is your best self-defense against the spread of germs. When soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Please stay home if you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, are coughing or sneezing, or are experiencing shortness of breath. If a patient shows up with symptoms, the clinic team will work with them to reschedule.
  • Be vigilant. If you have traveled to any of the countries where there are outbreaks of the virus, please follow guidance from the CDC website and our Travel Guidelines.

Here are actions we are taking to keep our clinics clean and safe:

  • Equipment will be wiped down after EVERY use with antibacterial wipes/sprays
  • All surfaces that patients or staff may touch including door handles, countertops, seating, pens at sign-in, bathroom and all other common areas will be disinfected regularly
  • Treatment tables will be 6 feet apart
  • Team members will wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezin
  • Clinics will have hand sanitizer available at the front desk and in the treatment areas
  • Any Phoenix team members who are ill will be asked to stay home
  • We will maintain social distancing between patients in the clinic
  • Caregivers that are bringing a patient to the clinic should wait in their car or come back when the appointment has ended unless necessary (i.e. minor requiring a guardian or for assistance needs)
  • When possible, we will treat patients in private rooms to increase social distancing
  • Any patients that have underlying health issues (i.e. diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.) will be given the option to be seen during special clinic hours or can opt to be treated in a private room away from other clinicians and patients
  • All patients should be self-screening before entering the clinic. Our PCCs will perform a secondary screening during the check-in process and before patients enter the clinic including a screening questionnaire and temperature check.
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