Archive for hip preservation
Always an athlete: Drew and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
When he looks back on the diagnosis that forced him to stop playing sports entirely for more than a year, 11-year-old Drew Coperine is philosophical. “There is a bright side,” he says, “there is an end to it.” But when he first learned that he had Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, a degenerative hip condition, it was hard ... Read More
After hip dysplasia, Emma smashes her cast
When she could walk again, Emma Wilkinson and her parents threw a big party. Diagnosed with hip dysplasia at the age of 4, Emma had spent 10 weeks in a spica cast that made almost all physical activity impossible. Now, baseball bat in hand, she took aim at a piñata replica of her cast while ... Read More
Hip pain resolved, Louise takes steps to become a surgeon
Louise Atadja couldn’t remember the last time her two big toes touched. Ever since she was born, her feet rotated out. As she got older, the outward position of her feet became more pronounced. “It caused me to walk strangely and run weirdly,” says the former track star who excelled in her sport even though ... Read More
Nicole and Alana: A friendship formed in dance
I was holding myself back, scared I would hurt myself, but Alana helped me realize I could push myself safely. She helped me gain confidence and trust in my dancing body again.
Leg lengthening and hip surgeries inspire a career
Lauren Schoeller was in eighth grade when she decided to become an orthopedic surgeon. She had by then had multiple surgeries, many of them scheduled around spring softball season. Now 20 and studying premed at the University of New Hampshire, Lauren has had a total of 18 operations on her leg, hips, foot, and spine. ... Read More
Nicole’s Story: Dancing my way through pain
Dance is my life passion. I’ve spent more than 15 hours a week dancing for most of my 26 years — except for a period of time when hip pain forced me to stop. We dancers usually don’t express our pain; in fact, we almost like to be in pain because it means we’re working ... Read More
What you should know about hip labral tears in young athletes
Labral tears are a common injury of the hip, particularly with young athletes who may have underlying hip anatomy issues, such as hip dysplasia or impingement. Treatments for labral tears range from rest and physical therapy to open surgery. Recovery (and time away from sports) can take days, weeks, or even months. It’s important that ... Read More
Teagan’s triumphant return: Dancing after Perthes disease
Teagan has lived and breathed dance — ballet, jazz, tap, and more — since she was 5 years old. “It’s what makes me happy,” the now 12-year-old says. But two years ago, she started to feel pain in her hip that persisted after dance class and worsened over time. As her spring dance season wrapped ... Read More
Printing a plan to resolve an athlete’s pain
As a track star in high school and college, Louise was always playing through the pain. Then came the point when she couldn't walk after meets.