JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
"If I was still in the same position that I was in before, I would be so depressed, and it probably would've affected my career if it hadn't been for physical therapy," said Tech. Sgt. Crystal Lee, Defense Information Systems Agency systems control watch officer.
Lee incurred injuries to both her knees during several assignments and rigorous training overseas, which would lead to several years of physical therapy and an MRI revealing multiple torn menisci in both knees.
"The first time I realized I was having issues, it was 2003, I was stationed in Korea," Lee said. "I had issues going up stairs or walking long distances. My knees would get really achy and swell up. I didn't go to the doctor until 2004, when I was stationed in Aviano, Italy."
A dancer since the age of three, Lee realized that the pain was starting to affect not just her physical abilities in the military but her dancing abilities. Her passion for dance drove her to start physical therapy three times a week in an effort to get back to working and dancing without pain.
"The training was a lot more physical in Italy than it had been in Korea," Lee said. "We were running constantly on hard surfaces and my knees were already giving me issues, so I don't think the repetitive running helped."
While in Italy, Lee was participating in an exercise when she fell on both knees while carrying heavy equipment in the field. She returned to physical therapy, now in more pain than ever.
In 2006, Lee restricted herself to belly dancing as a low impact exercise to help her build up her muscles, lose weight, and protect her knees from further injury.
Following her assignment in Italy, Lee was stationed in New Mexico where she decided she'd been in and out of therapy and that the pain was too much. She was given an MRI where she finally discovered her multiple torn menisci.
"I opted for surgery in 2010, and following my surgery I was so depressed," Lee said. "I had never had knee surgery, so I had no idea what to expect and I thought I would never be able to dance again."
Lee's depression affected her normally positive demeanor at work, but she slowly began to heal with the help of physical and occupational therapy.
"I tell all my patients, if they are willing to do the work I will guide them back to health," said Dr. Katherine Rainey, 79th Medical Wing physical therapist. "Pain influences behavior and I have seen what can happen to people who come to therapy but don't do the work themselves. They have to do the work, do the exercises and want to get better."
With the help of Dr. Rainey, Lee set a series of small and specific goals for herself. With each goal she met, the positivity she was known for at work began to shine through.
"My suggestion to anyone in physical therapy is to channel your passion into your health and recovery," Lee said. "I'm fortunate that I had something I cared for so deeply that motivated me to get better and kept me going because it can be a discouraging process."
As she improved through her physical therapy workouts, she advanced the styles and techniques of her dancing once more.
Lee progressed through her therapy and still remains close with the staff that helped her along the way.
"Her positivity motivated me as well," Rainey said. "I'm very high energy myself, and her positivity and determination to get better not only for her health but to continue her passion, was refreshing."
Lee's determination to dance again coincided with the goals she set with Dr. Rainey. Though her knees still give her problems at times, she is back to work, back to dancing, and says she feels like her happy self once again.
"It took me about a year to heal fully, where I felt I was almost back to 100 percent and I wish I could just thank them because they gave me my life back," Lee said, tearfully. "You have your job sure, you have your family, but they gave me back my passion."