From Knee Injury to Spinal Fracture:
Julia's Long-Term
Rehabilitation Story
The Problem
Five years ago, while competing in Muay Thai, Julia developed a dull ache in the middle of her left kneecap that worsened with running, excessive bending, or rotation, and did not improve despite self-managed rest. Years later, while training in CrossFit, she dropped a barbell onto her back during a back squat, sustaining a compression fracture of her T12 vertebra and losing the ability to lift weights for around two months. Both injuries directly threatened her ability to continue in combat sports and, later, her new career as a fitness professional.
Why She Chose One Body LDN
Julia was recommended to physiotherapist Rebecca Bossick by someone at her gym after her knee injury failed to improve, despite having previously seen a local sports physiotherapist and osteopath who was a personal friend. What kept her returning over five years was Rebecca's clinical judgement and network: "When I saw Rebecca, she immediately referred me for a scan and arranged for me to see a consultant. She clearly knew her stuff and had an excellent relationship with the orthopaedic surgeon."
The Assessment & Diagnosis
Our specialist physiotherapist Rebecca Bossick assessed Julia's knee pain and recognised it required specialist orthopaedic investigation beyond manual therapy alone, promptly referring her for scans and a consultant opinion that led to a knee arthroscopy. Years later, when Julia sustained her T12 compression fracture, Rebecca again identified the need for urgent specialist referral, arranging scans and a spinal orthopaedic consultation on top of immediate hands-on care for the acute muscle spasm in her back.
The Treatment Plan
- Same-day emergency treatment following Julia's spinal injury to release severe back spasm
- Prompt referral for scans and orthopaedic consultant review for both her knee injury and spinal fracture
- A comprehensive, sport-specific rehabilitation plan following her knee arthroscopy, designed for a safe return to training
- A detailed rehabilitation programme following her T12 compression fracture to support safe return to lifting
- Ongoing education from Rebecca on CrossFit-specific movements, taking time to understand the sport in order to advise safely
- Long-term maintenance care, with check-ups every six to eight weeks and immediate attention to any new niggles before they develop into injuries
The Result
Julia has now been injury-free for the longest continuous period Rebecca has known her, following two separate serious injuries over more than five years of ongoing care. She transitioned from Muay Thai competition into recreational training and, over the past year, left her corporate job to become a full-time fitness trainer, CrossFit coach, and personal trainer — a transition she credits Rebecca with supporting beyond clinical care:
"She has been more than just a physiotherapist to me."
Watch Julia's Story
Read Julia's full testimonial transcript
Five years ago, while I was still competing and fighting in Muay Thai, I developed a problem with my left knee. I tried to rehabilitate it myself by resting and working out what was wrong, but it wasn’t improving.
Someone at my gym recommended Rebecca Bossick to me, so I went to see her. The problem was preventing me from continuing with what I wanted to achieve in Muay Thai, which is why I decided to seek professional help.
I had pain in the middle of my kneecap. It was a dull ache and was generally fine when I was walking, but running, bending the knee excessively or putting any kind of rotation through it caused irritation.
It was a pain I hadn’t experienced before, so when it didn’t improve on its own, I knew I needed help.
I had previously seen a local sports physiotherapist and osteopath who was a good friend. I had a few treatments with him, but the problem didn’t improve.
When I saw Rebecca, she immediately referred me for a scan and arranged for me to see a consultant. She clearly knew her stuff and had an excellent relationship with the orthopaedic surgeon, who gave me expert advice and helped me understand what was wrong with my knee.
After having a knee arthroscopy, I was told that if I continued competing in combat sports, there was a chance I could damage my knee further and potentially affect my ability to participate in sport altogether.
As difficult as the decision was, with Rebecca’s help and the support of my coaches, I decided to stop competing and continue Muay Thai recreationally instead. Because I still loved competing, I found something else to do.
I met a new coach at the gym who specialised in CrossFit and functional training. He helped me rediscover my love of lifting, which is how I found CrossFit.
Rebecca gave me a comprehensive rehabilitation plan for my knee to make sure I returned to training safely.
CrossFit was also relatively new to her, so she took the time to understand the movements involved, how they would affect my body and what I needed to consider during recovery. She wanted to make sure I stayed as safe as possible and didn’t damage my knee further.
Just over three years ago, I dropped a barbell onto my back while trying to bail out of a back squat—not because CrossFit is dangerous, but because I’m clumsy.
I sustained a compression fracture of my T12 vertebra and couldn’t lift weights for around two months.
Rebecca fitted me in the day after the accident to help release my back because it had gone into severe spasm. She immediately referred me for scans and arranged for me to see another orthopaedic specialist for my spine.
She gave me a detailed treatment plan and plenty of rehabilitation work to stop me going crazy without the gym and help me return to training safely.
I have now been injury-free for probably the longest period Rebecca has known me. Since everything has healed, I come in every six to eight weeks for a check-up.
Whenever I have any niggles, I address them immediately. I tell her exactly what is happening, what I’m doing in my training and whether any particular movements have affected it.
She helps make sure those niggles don’t develop into injuries, allowing me to stay on top of everything and remain healthy.
Over the past year, I have left my corporate job and transitioned into a full-time role as a fitness trainer, CrossFit coach and personal trainer. I now work in a gym, although I was working online during the pandemic.
Rebecca has also been incredibly supportive throughout that transition and has shared advice from her own experience of opening a business. She has been more than just a physiotherapist to me.
When you get injured or develop a niggle, Rebecca helps you continue doing what you safely can rather than simply telling you to rest.
She works around the injury because she understands how important it is for people to keep training.
Related Treatment
If you're dealing with a knee injury from combat sports or CrossFit, or recovering from a spinal fracture like Julia was, our specialist team can guide you through safe, sport-specific rehabilitation. Learn more about our knee pain treatment and back pain and spinal injury rehabilitation in London.