Sports Medicine Archives

PATIENT STORIES

Changing the Trajectory: Haley’s Story

At 17 years old, Haley is already a seasoned competitor on the golf course, but her path to success hasn’t been without challenges. Diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis at age 12, Haley’s journey brought her to Nemours Children’s Health, Winter Garden, where she found the care and support she needed to thrive. It all started in 6th grade when Haley’s trainer noticed that one side of her back was higher than the other during a routine assessment at a sports-specific gym. A visit to her pediatrician and an X-ray confirmed a 34-degree curve in her spine. Initially, treatment included wearing a nighttime back brace from 6th to 9th grade, but the curve progressed to 52 degrees over the next two years, requiring spinal fusion surgery. By the time she started high school, Haley started experiencing back pain, which impacted her sleep and daily life—and, more importantly, her golf game. “The […]

Road to Recovery: Mackenzie’s Story

15-year-old Mackenzie has always been active, with a passion for playing sports. But after a snowboarding accident in 2023 resulted in a meniscus tear in her left knee, she had to take a step back from her favorite activities. After the accident, a local doctor recommended surgery and Mackenzie’s primary care physician referred her to Dr. Su, a sports medicine surgeon at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. “Dr. Su is hands down the best!” shares her mother, Teena. “He explained everything so that both Mackenzie and I could understand.” With Dr. Su’s guidance, Mackenzie underwent meniscus repair surgery for her left knee. But just as she was beginning to recover, life threw another curveball—a second injury, this time to her right knee. Knowing exactly where to turn, Teena says they didn’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Su again. Through both surgeries, Mackenzie found the support she needed at Nemours Children’s, […]

PATIENT STORIES

Back In the Game: Lucy’s Story

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 […]

A Resilient Return: Caroline’s Story

For athletes like Caroline, injuries can be both physically and mentally challenging, but with a supportive team and the right care, recovery is possible. A patient at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, Caroline’s journey with ACL tears in both knees tested her strength and perseverance. In September 2020, Caroline tore the ACL in her left knee. Then in May 2023, she faced the same injury on her right knee. Both times, the road to recovery was tough, especially when sports had always been such a big part of her life. Fortunately, Caroline had already been a Nemours Children’s patient for her regular well-visits, so when she got injured the first time, she knew exactly where to turn. “It was an easy decision to go to Nemours,” Caroline explains. When it happened again in the opposite knee, she found comfort in knowing she would receive the highest level of care from familiar […]

Back in the Game: Zander’s Story

Zander, an aspiring college football player, first crossed paths with Nemours Children’s Health after suffering a game-related injury. As luck would have it, Dr. Julia Fink, Nemours’ orthopedic specialist, was the team doctor on the field. After the game, Dr. Fink brought him in for an X-ray and MRI, setting the course for his recovery. The injury turned out to be an acromioclavicular joint separation (AC joint separation), which worsened during the state football championship game. Zander’s team went on to win the game, but his shoulder pain lingered, especially with throwing, even after physical therapy. To resolve the issue, Dr. Fink performed an AC joint reconstruction. Following surgery, Zander was in a sling for six weeks and underwent three months of physical therapy. By May, he was able to start his throwing program, and by August, he was ready to kick off the football season, stronger than ever. From […]

PATIENT STORIES

The Comeback: Maddy’s Story

For elite gymnast Maddy, the journey to greatness wasn’t without its hurdles. But with determination and the expert care at Nemours Children’s Health, Maddy is back on her feet, ready to conquer the mat once again. Maddy’s athletic career took an unexpected turn on January 25, 2023, during a routine practice session at Temple University. A gymnast on the collegiate team, she faced a setback that would challenge her both physically and mentally—a ruptured Achilles tendon. Before receiving treatment at Nemours Children’s, Maddy experienced the full weight of her injury. “I was unable to walk, move my foot in any direction, and do everyday activities like go to class,” she recalls. “I was also in an abundance of pain every day that led to many mental breakdowns.” Having received treatment from Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville for years growing up, she knew she would get exceptional care for her new injury. […]

PATIENT STORIES

From Pitch to Progress: Jarnum’s Story

In the world of sports, injuries are often seen as setbacks, hurdles that athletes must overcome to get back to doing what they love. For Jarnum, a 15-year-old elite soccer player, a left knee lateral meniscus tear threatened to impact his game. Jarnum is the youngest player in a semi-professional USL2 academy league for Swan City Soccer Club in Lakeland. He holds the distinction of being the youngest player ever to score a goal in the USL2, helping his team secure their sole victory of the season. Unfortunately, it was during his time with this team that Jarnum sustained his injury. While engaged in a defensive play, he collided with another player, resulting in the tear to his left knee. Jarnum’s mother, Authrine, recalls the moment when their journey with Nemours began. “Dr. Julia Fink could tell that it was a meniscus tear right away,” she says. “But she wanted […]

ASSOCIATE HIGHLIGHT

Doctors’ Day Spotlight: Sarah R. Gibson, MD

Nemours Children’s Health takes pride in spotlighting the remarkable individuals who go beyond their roles as physicians. Dr. Sarah R. Gibson, a Pediatric Sports Medicine Physician in the Department of Orthopedics at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida exemplifies this dedication not only through her expertise but also through her hobbies outside of medicine. Dr. Gibson’s journey to becoming a physician was shaped by a blend of passions and interests. “I always had an interest in medicine,” says Dr. Gibson, “Particularly human health and physiology, but I had a lot of other varied interests as well. I enjoyed playing sports and I also had an interest in sports journalism. Prior to medical school, I would spend my winters taking premed classes and my summers dabbling in sports journalism. I was on the Kentucky Derby staff, helping run the media center during Derby week, helping ABC Sports and NBC Sports with coverage of […]

ORTHOPEDICS

Doctors’ Day Spotlight: Alvin W. Su, MD, PhD

Sports medicine and pediatric orthopedic surgeon Dr. Alvin Su‘s journey to Nemours Children’s Health was paved with a passion for patient care. He was drawn to our hospital in Delaware and New Jersey by the collaborative spirit among the orthopedic team. “The orthopedic group at Nemours works as a team,” says Dr. Su. “We support each other very well. This is huge for patient care, and for long-term career development and physician wellness. We can take good care of our patients, and ourselves. Plus, Nemours is a true academic institution that supports scientific research, which is instrumental to future improvement of clinical care.” This effort from the orthopedics team allows surgeons like Dr. Su to prioritize what truly matters – doing the right thing for their patients. Outside his work at the hospital, Dr. Su pursues a variety of interests and hobbies. A dedicated martial artist with a black belt […]

ASSOCIATE HIGHLIGHT

National Women Physicians Day: Dr. Stephanie Pearce

In celebration of National Women Physicians Day, Nemours Children’s Health highlights Dr. Stephanie Pearce, the Director of Sports Medicine in Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine at Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville. Dr. Pearce’s decision to pursue a career in sports orthopedic surgery stemmed from her love for the musculoskeletal system, her enjoyment of working with her hands, and her passion for helping athletes achieve peak performance. For her, sports medicine combines these elements in a way that doesn’t feel like work – it’s a labor of love. Joining Nemours Children’s was a serendipitous journey for Dr. Pearce. Her good friend, Dr. Anna Rambo, informed her of the Director of Sports Medicine opening at Nemours. The opportunity to lead and grow a sports program, contribute to sports research, collaborate with close friends, and return to her home state of Florida made it an offer too good to resist. Working with her team […]

PATIENT STORIES

Nothing If Not Resilient – Kate’s Story

During her senior season of high school wresting, Kate felt something was off. When Kate’s right shoulder dislocated from her socket during a wrestling practice, pain started to occur. Kate dismissed it at first but soon, this pain became persistent during every practice and started to impact her everyday life. Her shoulder constantly dislocated while out on the mat and it held her back from taking good shots against opponents. Kate continued to persist through the pain until she could no longer reach for something or close a car door without discomfort. “When I walked through the halls at school, I felt my shoulder being separated from the socket. It felt loose – that’s the only way I can describe it. It is a scary feeling when you know that your arm is not properly attached to your body, let alone wrestling with it,” says Kate. This injury had a […]

SPORTS MEDICINE

Personal Trainers and Athletic Trainers: What is the difference?

Personal TrainersPersonal trainers are found in gyms, health clubs, and even online as fitness influencers. Their goal is to help the general public achieve their fitness goals. Their clients can range anywhere from beginners to body builders, and they usually require a fee. Personal trainers are a great resource for cardio exercises, weightlifting techniques, and nutrition advice. There is no degree required to be a personal trainer. However, many have certifications that allow them to evaluate their clients and recommend exercises and nutrition regimens. While personal trainers are a very helpful asset to a person’s health and wellness, their role differs greatly from athletic trainers. Athletic TrainersAthletic trainers can be found in high schools, colleges, orthopedic offices, physical therapy clinics, hospitals, professional sports teams, military sites, and even in corporate and industrial settings. They provide athletes of all ages with preventative services, emergency care, therapeutic interventions, clinical diagnosis, and injury […]

ARTICLES RELATED TO: Sports Medicine

ARTICLES RELATED TO:
Sports Medicine