Back in the Game and Stealing Bases

Carlos Pianelli hadn’t played baseball in nearly four decades when he joined the Halos, an amateur baseball club for men over 30. He was excited to be back in the game. But that excitement was short-lived. As he rounded bases, Carlos, 54, pulled a hamstring.

Carlos rested his leg for a couple of weeks and went back to playing, which caused further aggravation of his injury. That’s when his doctor, Tamara Fogarty, M.D., sent him to Orange Coast Medical Center’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Center.

Carlos initially received therapy three times a week. As he became stronger, his need for frequent therapy decreased. At home, Carlos strengthened his legs by incorporating exercises and stretches that he learned from his physical therapists.

“My therapists were friendly, supportive and experienced,” Carlos says. “The rehab gym is clean and has all the latest equipment. I have nothing but praise for Orange Coast Medical Center.”

A Personal Connection

At each visit, Carlos worked with a licensed physical therapist inside the state-of-the-art Rehabilitation Center in the Orange Coast Patient Care Pavilion. During that time, he not only gained strength and movement but also got to know the Rehab team.

“Patients with varying needs for rehab come here and form a genuine bond with us,” says John Fenger, D.P.T., O.C.S., S.C.S., Orange Coast Medical Center’s manager of Outpatient Rehabilitation. “Our job is to decrease pain, restore function, and build our patients’ confidence.”

Within a month Carlos was easing back into playing ball. Two and a half months later, the outfielder donned his Halos uniform to play in a fundraising event at Angel Stadium.

Satisfaction From Helping Patients

For John and his team, getting patients back to feeling good and doing what they love is what it’s all about.

“It’s our pleasure as well as our passion to provide the highest quality of rehabilitation services for each individual,” he says.

For more information, visit Rehabilitation Services at Orange Coast Medical Center.