Her knee began hurting mysteriously in April 2021, launching a cycle of frustration: Pediatricians recommended ice, orthopedists diagnosed tendonitis, rheumatologists found no answers and acupuncture did nothing. She underwent years of physical therapy, unnecessary surgery and costly treatments, only to be told her pain might be all in her head.
When her right hip started hurting, it revealed a minor tissue tear that was again dismissed by her regular doctors. Amelia and her mother, Debbi, were frustrated and desperate for answers.
When she came to Shriners Children’s Northern California’s sports medicine clinic, physician assistant Darvin Foo, PAC, PT, MMS, reviewed Amelia’s history with fresh eyes. Within an hour, he identified the root cause: borderline hip dysplasia.
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. Hip dysplasia occurs when the socket is too shallow, allowing the ball to slip partially or completely out. Though often painless in infants, untreated dysplasia can cause early arthritis and lifelong pain. Prompt detection is critical, but mild cases like Amelia’s are easily missed without pediatric expertise.
Darvin explained how post-puberty changes amplified her subtle hip displacement, causing a tear in the labrum, which is the ring of cartilage that cushions the hip joint – the cause of her radiating knee pain.
“He showed us the MRI and explained how a mathematical formula was used to calculate her hip dysplasia,” said Debbi. “I don’t have words to describe how it felt to get answers for my child who had been in pain for years.”
Amelia remembers that first appointment vividly. “I cried with my mom,” she said. “I was so relieved to finally have an answer.”
Amelia and several Summer Youth Academy participants attend the Shriners Children's Northern California Walk for Love.
Amelia shows off her practice cast during a casting demonstration at The Perry Initiative.
Amelia practices applying sutures during The Perry Initiative.
Amelia celebrates her high school graduation with her mom and brother.
Every single person we have ever dealt with – the nurses, the doctors – has been so amazing.
Orthopedic surgeon Brian Haus, M.D., performed the delicate surgery to repair Amelia’s torn labrum and lengthen her tendon. After surgery, her nurse, Megan, stayed by her side to make sure she recovered. Her inpatient nurse, Wesley, kept her laughing and smiling while she healed.
“I felt like I had my best friends taking care of me,” she said.
“Every single person we have ever dealt with – the nurses, the doctors – has been so amazing,” said Debbi. “There is not one person I can think of that I’ve had a negative experience with.”
After six weeks on crutches and personalized physical therapy, Amelia felt immense improvement.
Once she was approved to be active, Amelia went on a bike ride with her brother, who she said is like her best friend. “He would always ask [to ride together], and I would have to say no,” she said. “For the first time, I could finally say yes.”
Debbi remembers how priceless this was to her, and that she was prepared to pay whatever the hospital bill turned out to be.
“Our HMO insurance doesn’t cover care outside [their network],” she said. “I got the bill after surgery and was dreading calling about it because I anticipated having to work five years to pay it off. I kept putting it off, and when I called, I was told, ‘We took care of you.’ I immediately started crying.”
Today, 18-year-old Amelia is pain-free and goes to the gym, bakes and is able to work on her feet. She enjoys science classes in school and wants to go into the healthcare field.
Her medical journey reshaped her dreams: “My experience made me want to be like my Shriners Children’s providers. I want to make it my mission to be the person to make a positive difference in someone’s life.” For her, this means taking the steps to become a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.
During follow-up appointments, Darvin learned about her aspirations and made it his mission to help her achieve them.
“Guidance counselors at school would typically help you with college planning, but for me, it’s Darvin,” said Amelia.
During her junior and senior years, she participated in Shriners Children’s Northern California Summer Youth Academy, learning about different healthcare positions within the hospital, and The Perry initiative, which gives high school-aged girls hands-on experience in orthopedic surgery.
With Darvin’s mentorship, she’ll be attending American River College and then pursuing human biology at UC Davis. Last June, she graduated from high school with honors, and now she’s graduating from care at Shriners Children’s.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the people at this place,” said Debbi.
