I have a great view from my deck and a hot tub seemed an inevitable purchase for personal enjoyment and entertaining. After doing research on various manufacturers, I decided on a ThermoSpa as the best choice. On a cold, dreary day in November 1997, my Lexington Elite arrived; within hours I was soaking in it and congratulating myself on my decision. I’ve used it frequently over the years but, until recently, I wasn’t what you would call a fervent user. I typically used it 2-3 times a week in cooler weather and 2-3 times a month in warmer weather. That changed recently after I had what was supposed to be routine arthroscopic surgery on my left knee. Three weeks after the surgery I developed a staph infection. After more surgery, I was hospitalized for five days and confined to a bed for an additional week and a half after my discharge.

Four weeks after the surgery, my left leg had a range of motion approximately 45 degrees. I was using crutches, couldn’t put any weight on my leg, and my knee was constantly stiff and sore. At this point, my doctor threatened to put me back into the hospital to “manipulate” my leg, if I couldn’t increase my range of motion to 90 degrees with in 2 weeks. By this time, my incisions were sufficiently healed to allow immersion and I remembered that hot tubs were supposed to have therapeutic value. I was already on supervised therapy, achieving limited results, so I began to use my ThermoSpa for additional Therapy. For thirty minutes each day I exercised my leg in my spa. Not only did this loosen my joints and help to increase my range of motion, it also made the exercise less painful and easier to tolerate.

I began to see immediate results. I was easily able to increase my range of motion to 90 degrees with in the 2 week period. But, just as importantly, as my range of motion increased, my pain and stiffness decreased. Two weeks after I started to use the spa I was able to put my crutches away for good. Within for weeks, my range of motion almost tripled. Now, nine weeks after surgery, I’m walking without a limp and my leg is beginning to feel normal. I’m convinced that the use of my ThermoSpa significantly expedited my rehabilitative process. I plan to continue to use the spa daily or as often as possible, not only for the benefits to my knee but also for other benefits I’ve noticed. I feel better since I started using my spa on a regular basis. I’m sleeping better at night and I’m more alert during the day. I’m a believer now. I didn’t originally buy my ThermoSpa for therapeutic or beneficial value; I bought it because I thought it would feel good. But I’m sure glad I had it when I really needed it.

Ken Callen