Featured Success Story

Determination – The Key to Success
Beneath the jovial individual that is Mr Chong Chin Hin, is a man of steely determination and discipline. Having undergone Hip Replacement surgery in late May, Mr Chong, 53, has managed to get himself back on his feet within a few weeks of his surgery.

“It was very difficult starting on the exercises right after my surgery. However, thanks to the excellent work of the therapists at the Hospital, I have managed to make tremendous progress in the last few weeks. Even the surgeon who operated on me has been pleasantly surprised by my progress!” he quipped.

Mr Chong recounted how his woes began almost 2 years ago when he started feeling regular numbness in his legs whenever he walked long distances. “It started getting worse over time. Soon, I had difficulty even walking from one bus stop to another,” he said. He eventually opted for a Hip Replacement surgery upon the advice of the doctors at SGH and was eventually referred to AMK-THKH following his surgery for rehabilitation.

“After the surgery, my left leg was still very sore. I could not lift my leg off the ground for more than 2 to 3 seconds. I could only do very basic exercises, nothing strenuous” said Mr Chong.

Mr Chong continued doing these simple exercises repeatedly during the first few days of his stay at the Hospital. According to Mr Chong, “The therapists taught me the exercises and encouraged me to do the exercises whenever possible even outside of my rehabilitation exercise period.”

His continued perseverance soon paid off as he was then able to conduct his leg exercises with ankle weights attached. Determined to make further progress, our therapists worked with Mr Chong to get back on his feet and started walking with the aid of a quad stick. “I learnt how to use the stick to help me not just walk around, but to use the stairs as well. I felt happy at being able to move around once again. Staying in bed all the time can be very boring you know?” he quipped when recounting his experiences.

Within three weeks of his referral to AMK-THKH, Mr Chong had made such great strides in his progress that he was deemed fit for a ‘community ambulation’ exercise. As part of this programme, he was accompanied by an occupational therapist on a trip around the community to orientate him on the use of public facilities such as getting on and off buses while using a quad stick. “It was an eye opening experience for me,” said Mr Chong of the experience. “It also made me more confident in moving around more independently when I am discharged.”

The affable Mr Chong is also very popular among the patients at the Hospital; constantly encouraging other patients while they are doing their rehabilitation exercises with him.

With a friendly wave and an ever present smile, Mr Chong has indeed come a long way during his stay at the Hospital. Nonetheless the determination to be able to move again independently continues to drive him to keep up to the exercise routines prescribed by the therapists at AMK-THKH. A very active person before the injury struck him down; Mr Chong has set himself a long term target to be able to move around within the community more independently. “The therapists have motivated me a lot. They are very concerned about my safety but at the same time encourage me all the time to push myself to the limits. I am confident that with their continuous guidance, I will achieve my goal soon”

We would like to wish Mr Chong the best as continues his rehabilitation in the community.