16th January 2025
A revolutionary piece of equipment, which uses technology developed by NASA, continues to bring great benefit to patients right across the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area almost a decade after it was first introduced.
Anti-gravity treadmills are used within the Physiotherapy Musculoskeletal (MSK) service by patients who have suffered lower limb injuries, including fractures, ruptured Achilles tendons or who are recovering from surgery. The specialist rehabilitation equipment is used like a normal running machine; however patients are zipped into an airtight compartment, which then inflates with air and allows them to walk or run while only having to experience partial body weight, reducing impact on their joints. This reduced impact allows patients to move pain free and engage in more intensive rehabilitation exercises earlier in their recover journey.
Seasoned sportsman, Stephen McDonnell injured his Achilles tendon playing in a charity football match, one of the first ever injuries he picked up despite playing sports for many years.
“I immediately knew there was something seriously wrong and it was going to take a long time to recover.”
Stephen has been attending the MSK Physiotherapy gym in Daisy Hill Hospital and has praised the Daisy Hill Physiotherapy staff and the Anti-Gravity treadmill in making a huge difference in his recovery.
“The treatment I received has been fantastic. The staff have been top class and their advice and recommendation on what I had to do and the recovery programme they set out for me, was fantastic. The Anti-gravity treadmill has been a huge benefit to me. Over the weeks that I was on the Anti-gravity treadmill, my confidence certainly built up and now I am up to 100 per cent bodyweight.”
Physiotherapist, Tom Hamill set up a Recovery programme for Stephen McDonnell which involved the Anti-Gravity treadmill as part of his rehabilitation.
Roisin Lynch, Physiotherapy Clinical Lead for MSK outpatients, said that in the last two months around 100 patients have used the Anti-gravity treadmill, which is an integral part of their rehabilitation.
“We are delighted to have treadmills within the Southern Trust Physiotherapy Departments in Clover (Armagh), South Tyrone Hospital and Daisy Hill Physiotherapy Outpatient Department. Patients always have great things to say about the Anti-gravity treadmill as it allows patients with weight bearing difficulty through injury, to walk with reduced gravity.
“Stephen is just one of the hundreds of patients we work with every few months to gradually build their progress and strength to ensure they reach their maximum physical capability.”