Three members of the forces talk about their rehabilitation at the regional rehabilitation unit at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire, which helps return injured service personnel to duty. The interviews were carried out in 2009.
Back injury
Senior Aircraftwoman Rhian Smith, 32, twisted her back while skiing on expedition training in France two years ago. She's an RAF photographer based at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire.
"After my injury I carried on working at RAF Benson. I saw a physiotherapist there once a week but my back didn’t improve. It started to feel stiff and got to the point where I couldn’t run or walk long distances because of the pain. I’d always been active, going to the gym, and I couldn’t do that any more.
"When it became clear that I wasn’t getting any better, my physio referred me to RAF Halton and I arrived two weeks ago. I had an assessment and was given exercises that were designed to improve my condition.
"Since I've been here I’ve been with a physiotherapist for half an hour a day, doing something different each time. The other day he worked on my neck because I’ve got neck strain from the heavy camera bags I carry on my back.
"On a typical day we start at 9am with half an hour of cardiovascular exercise on the cross trainer or bike. Because I have a spinal injury I don’t run. Then I’ll have half an hour of physio, then I’ll go to the mats with my exercise book and do my individual programme of exercises.
"After that, there’s an exercise class such as core stability and in the afternoon there’ll be various activities, for example a walk, a swim or competitive gym games with the other class, who have lower limb injuries. We finish at around 3pm.
"It's tiring, and I feel achy because in the past few months I’ve avoided doing any kind of exercise. I’m noticing a lot of muscles I haven’t used before but I feel like I’m getting somewhere.
"The physiotherapists and exercise rehabilitation instructors (ERIs) here are absolutely brilliant. They're really knowledgable. There’s a lot of one-to-one attention. Even during group work they walk around checking you’re doing everything correctly."
Knee injury
Navy submariner David Pindar (pictured), a Warrant Officer First Class, 41, injured his knee playing hockey. He continued to work but his knee became increasingly unstable, and he was referred to RAF Halton.
"The aim of my stay here is to strengthen the muscles around the knee so that I won't need reconstructive surgery. The injury happened when I was playing hockey nine years ago. I turned suddenly, heard a loud pop and was on the floor.
"I'd torn a ligament in my knee but didn't find out until years later. With rest and ice, the pain and swelling went away and soon afterwards I went to sea. My knee ached when I stood for long periods, especially if the submarine was rocking, but generally it was fine.
"Over the next few years my knee gave way several times during activity, including squash and badminton, but seemed to recover with ice and rest. Eventually, it gave way and the pain and swelling never went. My knee started locking and in the end I couldn't drive.
"I had surgery to sort out the tear in my cartilage, and the surgeon found that the ligament was so damaged it wasn't doing anything at all. I came to Halton to strengthen the knee. I was keen to come because I want to be active again. The ERI developed a programme for me to work on my core stability, strength, mobility and general fitness.
"We exercise every day, doing individual programmes, cardiovascular sessions, balance work and circuit training. I've been given a metal knee brace, which stops the joint moving sideways and giving way. Some days I feel really good and others I feel physically very tired, but I've noticed improvement in my knee.
"I've also had to learn how to go up and down stairs properly, because I've been overcompensating for my injured knee for so long. The physios made me watch myself in a mirror and I could see I was taking all the weight on one side, so I've been working on that.
"It's good having the ERIs here to encourage me, and I know that if my knee does hurt there's always someone here to sort it out straight away.
"After three weeks here I'll go back to my job at the Northwood naval base near London and continue seeing the ERI there. I'm very glad I came here. The best thing has been the reassurance from the ERIs and the self-belief they've given me, which has made me test myself."
Ankle injury
An aircraft technician, who can't be named, is on his second three-week stay at Halton. He injured his ankle on a training exercise.
"Three days into adventure training I was climbing over a fence and stepped down on to a brick in the mud. My ankle twisted badly. It was painful but I could walk and I completed the remaining four days of training.
"When I got back to base a medical officer started me on physiotherapy. My ankle was very swollen and I saw the physiotherapist once a week. I stayed on normal duties at work but had to stop exercising. I used to exercise nearly every day, running, swimming or in the gym, and to stop overnight was difficult. In this job you have to maintain fitness and stamina.
"Being at RAF Halton is very helpful. Seeing a physio every day is much better than just once a week. I had a corticosteroid injection, which reduced the swelling in my ankle, but they decided I needed surgery.
"I had an operation to remove scar tissue and a spur of bone from my ankle, and went back to work. Now I'm here for another session to help me over the surgery and the injury. I came here hoping I’d be able to run when I leave but that’s not going to be possible.
"I mainly do mobility exercises to ease the restriction in the joint. The only way I can start running again is if I get the full range of ankle movement without pain.
"It’s great being able to use the gym again. At my RAF base I didn’t know what exercises might aggravate my injury, but here there is always an ERI to offer help. It’s intensive exercise. You’re learning in a supervised, concentrated environment and it’s definitely better for you.
"I'm making progress but it’s very slow. That's the hardest thing for me. I'll probably have to come back for another session before I get full movement back in my ankle. In the meantime, I’ll be at work as usual.
"With aircraft engineering there's a lot of heavy lifting, and the extra weight doesn’t help my ankle. I have to remember I’m injured and if I overdo it, it could get worse. There are certain parts of my job where I have to say, 'I can't do that yet.'"
