A 79-year-old former tennis player regained complete independence through specialized in-home physical therapy in Parkland, FL with Dr. Vincenzo Bombara, DPT.
Born and raised on Long Island, Laura moved to South Florida in 1968, building a vibrant life in Boca Raton. She spent 20 years as an administrator at Pine Crest School, leading successful fundraising campaigns, while tennis remained her lifelong passion and source of strength.
In 2019, Laura had a left hip replacement and made a full recovery, returning to the tennis courts. But 2023 brought a different story. A right hip replacement was complicated by a nerve block that left her right leg completely paralyzed from thigh to foot. Just two weeks after being sent home, she suffered a femur fracture. She returned to Holy Cross Hospital, followed by a rehabilitation facility, and was now facing the prospect of returning alone to her Boca Raton townhouse with 16 stairs.
Meeting Dr. Vincenzo Bombara
That’s when she met Dr. Vincenzo Bombara, DPT, GCS, MBA—Florida Licensed Physical Therapist #PT26831 and Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist #42342.
Working at the rehabilitation facility, Dr. Bombara introduced advanced neuromuscular reactivation techniques to restore nerve function. Equally important was his approach: “Laura, you are a tennis player. You are strong. You know how to do this.”
After months of rehabilitation, Laura had regained physical function but lost confidence due to her fear of falling. Dr. Bombara rebuilt both.
The Difference of True In-Home Physical Therapy
When Laura returned home, traditional insurance home health therapy proved inadequate—short 20-minute visits with no continuity of care. Then Dr. Bombara began in-home physical therapy in Parkland, FL.
“Vinnie is the full package,” Laura says. “It was night and day.”
Measurable Progress Through Specialized Care
Dr. Bombara worked with her twice weekly for full 60-minute sessions, focusing on:
- Safe stair navigation for her 16-step townhouse
- Gait retraining after complete paralysis
- Functional strength for real-life independence
- Home modifications for lasting safety
By October, Laura was walking through the mall using only a cane.
By 2025, she was managing luggage, navigating airports, and traveling internationally, fully reclaiming her active life.
Overcoming a Devastating Fall
In December 2025, Laura was walking to meet friends when she dodged a car but fell on uneven pavement, fracturing her wrist, kneecap, and nose. Bedridden for two months in a cast and brace, she texted Dr. Bombara an emergency room photo after Christmas: “I need you again.”
Custom Solutions for Complete Recovery
Dr. Bombara immediately resumed care, rebuilding strength in her leg, wrist, and shoulder. One particularly challenging issue was a protruding wrist bone that made writing impossible. He created a custom support pad that allowed her wrist to rest comfortably while writing.
“Here is just one more example of how Vinnie has helped me overcome disability,” Laura explains. “Thanks to his ingenuity, I am able to write again. I am so very grateful for everything he has done to help me become independent.”
By January 2026, Laura had made a complete recovery.
Long-Term Wellness Partnership
Today, Laura’s care has evolved beyond rehabilitation into a comprehensive long-term health and wellness program focused on aging gracefully. Their work now includes fall prevention strategies, balance training, strength development, plyometrics, functional resistance training, and patient education.
“Her care evolved from physical rehabilitation into investing in her future,” Dr. Bombara explains.
For Laura, recovery is no longer just about returning to who she was. It’s about moving forward with confidence, independence, and strength.
“Vinnie is the full package. I am so grateful for my independence.” — Laura, Boca Raton
