For 15-year-old Elizabeth, softball has always been more than just a game—it’s a passion. As a high school varsity catcher and a dedicated travel ball player, Lizzy had her sights set on playing at the collegiate level. Then came a play that changed her season.
During a game, Lizzy was catching when a runner crashed through her left arm, leaving her with a superior labrum anterior and posterior tear and a small rotator cuff tear. The injury sidelined her, keeping her from the sport she loved and limiting her daily activities.
Lizzy was taken straight from the field to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware where initial tests ruled out broken bones. However, with persistent pain and swelling, an MRI was scheduled the following week. The results revealed a labral tear, leading Lizzy to Dr. Alvin Su at Nemours Children’s Health, Deptford.
From the start, Dr. Su and his team approached Lizzy’s injury with the same level of care and commitment given to professional athletes. “Every person we came in contact with understood her goal of playing college ball and kept that at the forefront when treating her,” shares her mom, Samantha.
Lizzy underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair her labrum and stabilize her shoulder, receiving three surgical anchors—just like the ones used for major league baseball players. Dr. Su was honest about the challenges ahead, emphasizing that Lizzy’s recovery would depend on the work she put in post-surgery, and Lizzy was up for the challenge.
With determination and the right care team behind her, her recovery progressed faster than expected. “If you ask her, she’ll tell you she’s better than before surgery,” Samantha shares.
Lizzy had surgery in May of 2024. By September 2024, she was back in the game. Just one month later, she hit her first of three home runs for the fall season—a testament to her hard work and the expertise of her care team.
“Our girl will tell you Dr. Su is magic and did magic to her shoulder,” Samantha says. “We could not ask for better care from a hospital or doctor. Lizzy’s recovery time was shorter than average and she never missed a beat when coming back to play the game.”
For families facing similar sports injuries, Samantha’s advice is simple: find a doctor who understands what’s important to your child. “From the moment we sat down with Dr. Su, he made sure Lizzy’s dream of playing college ball was front and center. He did everything in his power to make sure the surgery was a success.”
With her shoulder stronger than ever, Lizzy is back to doing what she loves—playing the game and chasing her dream of playing college softball.
