16-year-old Lucy McCloskey knows what it takes to persevere. As a two-sport varsity high school athlete, she never imagined an injury would turn her world upside down. But after a serious fall during a home game, Lucy was diagnosed with an avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity, a painful upper leg injury that left her bedridden, unable to attend school, and struggling to perform even basic tasks like walking or sitting.
“It was the worst pain of my life,” Lucy recalls. But thanks to a timely referral from a teammate’s mom, Kelly Quaile, Lucy found herself under the expert care of Dr. Brett Shannon and physical therapist Jeffery Ruth at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware.
Lucy’s treatment journey began with Dr. Shannon, who took the time to understand her concerns as an athlete. “He explained all the steps to surgery and even made non-invasive routes available,” Lucy says, appreciating the way he kept her fully informed and comfortable with her treatment options. When an earlier surgery slot became available just a few days after her diagnosis, Dr. Shannon jumped at the opportunity to help Lucy get back on track sooner. “He did the surgery and I was able to go home late afternoon the next day,” shares Lucy.
Following her surgery, Lucy began working with Jeff Ruth to navigate her recovery through physical therapy. Jeff customized her exercises to fit her athletic goals, ensuring she could not only recover but return to her beloved sports of field hockey and lacrosse stronger than before. “He was understanding of my lifestyle and how not being able to play the sports I love was impossible,” shares Lucy. “Jeff was not only very personable, but he made my recovery exercises specific to me, including balancing with hand eye coordination for my lacrosse skills, and working with rebuilding my leg muscle so I could remain strong on the field hockey field.”
With determination and the dedicated support of her Nemours Children’s care team, Lucy made a remarkable recovery. She was back at school three weeks after surgery, and by early February, she had returned to sports at full strength. “The process made me confident to return to sports, after meeting with Dr. Shannon and receiving his all clear to return to sports I have felt nothing but prepared and confident,” says Lucy.
Now, Lucy is looking ahead with optimism. “I plan on playing field hockey at the collegiate level while finishing out my high school and club lacrosse career,” she says, thankful for the care that helped make her return to athletics possible. “I remain eternally grateful for the care I received from Nemours, multiple places would not accept. Teenager with my injury, but Nemours did and made my treatment process exactly what I wanted it to be.”
For Lucy, the experience was a powerful lesson in resilience. She shares this advice for anyone facing a similar challenge: “Do everything possible in the recovery process. The pain won’t be gone right away, but it will get better!” With the right care and commitment, Lucy’s journey is proof that even the toughest injuries can be overcome.
