At 17, elite soccer player, Anel, faced a daunting diagnosis of a torn acetabular labrum and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), threatening his athletic dreams. For Anel, the first signs of trouble appeared during a significant growth spurt. “I initially had pain back in 2022 when I had a growth spurt and never thought anything of it,” Anel shares. Though he dismissed it, the pain persisted, and after months of intermittent issues, his athletic trainer at Jacksonville FC recommended he seek further medical attention. It was then that Anel was referred to Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville.
When Anel started receiving treatment from Sports Medicine Director, Dr. Stephanie Pearce and Caitlin Schlosser, MHA, ATC, OTC, they quickly realized the severity of his condition. “They immediately found out the problem with an MRI scan, and we proceeded with a treatment plan,” Anel explains. The first approach was to try a less invasive method, a steroid injection, which provided relief, allowing him to continue playing in his collegiate recruitment season. During this period, Anel was recruited by a Division II soccer program. However, after just a few months of training with his collegiate team, Anel felt a sharp, unmistakable pop in his hip during a routine practice session. “I went to cross the ball and felt a horrible pop in my hip/groin area and instantly knew what it was,” he recalls. “I gave Mrs. Caitlin a call and scheduled a visit where they determined I needed surgery.”
The injury and its accompanying pain had a significant impact on Anel’s life. “It hindered my performance in my sport the most,” he says. “Especially my junior year, which is a huge year for the recruitment process.” Prior to starting care with Dr. Pearce, Anel missed more than seven months of the season, including three crucial showcases where over 200 NCAA schools were in attendance. Despite the setbacks, Anel remained determined to overcome his injury and get back to the sport he loved.
At Nemours Children’s, Anel found more than just medical care; he discovered a team of experts who treated him like family. “Being under the care of the Nemours team was phenomenal,” says Anel. “Since Dr. Pearce took over my care, it’s been nothing short of amazing. She treated me like her own and cared for me every single step of the way. The same with Mrs. Caitlin, too. She reached out to me to check up, she’s been there from the beginning of my diagnosis until my surgery and afterwards checking up on me and making sure I’m back to it!” The personal touch and genuine concern from the Nemours team made a significant difference in Anel’s overall experience and his ability to stay motivated during a challenging time.
Post-surgery, Anel’s rehabilitation journey continued with renewed energy. The Nemours team provided a detailed rehab plan, which included intensive physical therapy sessions designed to rebuild his strength. The combination of medical expertise and personal care at Nemours played a pivotal role in Anel’s journey, setting the stage for his return to the soccer field.
After a grueling 6 months recovery and additional 2.5 months of high-level sport specific training, Anel’s determination and hard work have paid off. “Since surgery, I’ve been great,” he says. “It was a long 8.5-month recovery, but now I am finally back in training with my college team and feel really good.” Anel’s unwavering commitment to his rehabilitation has brought him back to the field stronger and more focused than ever. Anel’s return marks the beginning of his redshirt freshman year at the University of North Georgia. Being cleared to play again is a significant milestone, and it’s just the start of his journey. “My plans for the future include carrying out my soccer career and love for it as long as it goes,” he shares. “I’m continuing rehab and my strengthening program every single day, day in and day out with my trainers and our sport science coaches,” he explains. The support from his team and the structured approach to his recovery have been instrumental in his progress, and Anel is determined to maintain this discipline to ensure his long-term success.
To other athletes navigating the challenges of injury and recovery, Anel offers this advice, “I’d recommend staying strong mentally,” he shares. “It isn’t a problem getting through the physical aspect, but the mental aspect of it is the toughest.” Anel’s own experience of missing months of his season and feeling far behind his peers was overwhelming. However, he adopted a mindset that transformed his recovery into triumph. “I had the mentality that I was going to kill this recovery and be better than I was before surgery,” he says. “I attacked every PT session 100%, took all my rehab super seriously, and did not do anything I wasn’t supposed to, no matter how badly I wanted to.” As he continues to train and compete, Anel’s story reminds us that with the right mindset and care, even the most daunting obstacles can be overcome.
