Rayne, an active pre-teen, was participating in a fun day at school, playing a game of Capture the Flag. During the game, a sudden and unexpected fall resulted in Rayne’s leg hyperextending. The impact was severe, and her left tibia cracked at her knee. Her parents immediately rushed her to their local hospital in Lewes, DE.
Upon arrival, the hospital staff performed an X-ray, which revealed the fracture. However, the fracture involved Rayne’s growth plate, a critical area that requires specialized care to ensure proper healing and prevent long-term complications. Recognizing the severity and the need for expert pediatric orthopedic care, the local doctors referred Rayne and her family to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. Without hesitation, Rayne’s parents packed up and made the two-hour drive to Nemours Children’s.
Upon reaching Nemours, the family was greeted by a team of highly skilled and compassionate medical professionals. “We were terribly frightened,” Rayne’s mom recalls, “but with all of our fears, we never felt rushed while talking with the providers and felt that the assessment was incredibly thorough. The emergency orthopedic doctor, Dr. Dennis Bienstock, gave us the utmost confidence in the plan with his high scrutiny of the imaging and we were very grateful for the kindness that was displayed.”
Thankfully, her care team determined that Rayne would not need surgery. Instead, they applied her first cast, designed with room for expansion in case of swelling. This decision was a relief to Rayne and her family, who were grateful for the thorough approach taken by the Nemours team.
“For our early visits, Rayne, her dad, and I all had scared, uncertain looks on our faces that settled in from the start of the accident,” shares Rayne’s mom. However, the staff’s immediate attention to Rayne’s needs and their warm demeanor quickly began to ease their worries. From the moment they checked in, every interaction was marked by a level of compassion and expertise that made the family feel supported and welcomed.
Rayne’s numerous follow-ups during her treatment were not just routine check-ins but opportunities for growth. “With each visit, Ashley Tucker, PA-C empowered Rayne to discuss her own care and progress by speaking directly to her,” shares her mom. “The nature of their conversations made it obvious that she cared very much for how Rayne was physically healing and emotionally healing from a lost summer as well.”
Volleyball and track are Rayne’s passions, and she excells in both. Just weeks before the incident, Rayne had secured a spot in a junior national beach volleyball tournament. Her family also had big plans for the summer. A 10-day hiking expedition to Utah’s Mighty 5, encompassing all five of the state’s national parks, was on their summer itinerary. Additionally, a trip to Mexico for a family wedding was on the horizon. However, the accident changed everything. Simple tasks like climbing stairs, getting dressed and even showering required assistance, so all of their summer plans were halted.
After the casting process, Rayne’s recovery was nothing short of remarkable. She spent a lot of her summer on their screened porch where she would read, play her clarinet, and even practice setting balls from the couch. Her mother shares, “Rayne enjoyed her physical therapy appointments because she saw the improvement each and every visit and she increased her range of motion in her knee with every visit.”
Rayne’s commitment to her recovery was evident in every step she took. Ashley, recognizing Rayne’s goal to try out for her middle school volleyball team, provided the necessary guidance and support. A week and a half before the tryouts, Rayne received the green light to participate in all sports. Her hard work and perseverance paid off when she not only made it to the team but also secured a spot on the A team as a 7th grader. Over the winter, Rayne even joined a travel volleyball team, where she played up an age level. In track, she also ran hurdles and participated in jumping events.
With a brighter path ahead, Rayne is ready to embrace each day with newfound confidence. One of the first major milestones on her journey was a rescheduled trip to Utah for spring break. Just a few weekends ago, Rayne participated in a double-header beach volleyball tournament, a testament to her physical and emotional return to form. “The recovery has made her appreciate all of the activities she missed last summer, and she is looking forward to all of the summer fun,” shares her mom.
To other parents navigating similar situations, Rayne’s mother offers this advice, “Have patience and trust the providers. It is very difficult to watch your child struggle and lose out on all of the activities they love, but with patience, trust, and some work from them, the recovery will come.”
