Sidelined by Injury? Try This Tip to Put Your Recovery in Perspective

I thought I’d be fine after undergoing successful surgery to repair a torn ankle ligament. Instead, I’m depressed and hopeless that I’m still not able to perform. My therapist tells me I’m making good progress, but I don’t see it. Why not?

—Ashley, San Francisco, CA

You’ve fallen into a common trap—comparing your dancing to how you performed before the injury. That’s unrealistic, given the circumstances. Your new baseline needs to be how you feel now after surgery and rehab. My advice is to keep a monthly pain diary, documenting what you can do, your current limitations and your level of pain. You’ll be surprised to discover how much you’re accomplishing each month.

Send your questions to Dr. Linda Hamilton at [email protected].