Kelly performs a cheer routine.
Kelly shows off a cheering medal.
Kelly beams with joy while cheering.
Kelly enjoys the outdoors with one of her four pet dogs.
Shriners Children’s Conservative Sports Medicine Approach Gives Kelly Something to Cheer For
Meet Kelly.
For 13‑year‑old Kelly, cheerleading has always been more than a sport, it is a core part of who she is.
When ongoing wrist and knee pain forced her to step away, the interruption was both physically and emotionally challenging. Her successful recovery speaks to the impact of specialized pediatric sports medicine and the supportive, patient‑centered care she received at Shriners Children’s Texas.
Kelly’s journey began after months of unresolved pain and uncertainty. Earlier evaluations failed to identify the full source of her injury, and symptoms persisted despite rest and bracing. Seeking answers, her family turned to Shriners Children’s Texas, where she finally received a clear diagnosis and a thoughtful treatment plan tailored to a young athlete. Advanced imaging ruled out serious damage, allowing her doctor, Cody Sanderson, M.D., to confidently move forward with conservative treatment rather than surgery.
Her recovery plan centered on physical therapy and education. Her care team at Shriners Children’s emphasized strength and injury prevention, which are key components for a high‑impact sport like cheerleading. Because Kelly lives several hours away, her physical therapist worked closely with her and her family to design a structured home exercise program that could be done safely and consistently. Clear instruction and ongoing communication helped ensure effectiveness outside the clinic.
We were able to quickly obtain an MRI and luckily, we were able to treat her with physical therapy and a home exercise program. She has returned to her activities better than before.
That consistency made a big difference. Over time, Kelly’s pain steadily decreased, her strength and confidence improved, and she returned to normal activities without limitations. Her care team closely monitored her function and movement, focusing not only on relieving pain but also on reducing the risk of future overuse injuries – an important consideration for young athletes with high training demands. Now pain‑free, Kelly plans to ease back into competitive cheer, using the tools she learned through therapy to protect her body moving forward.
“Kelly is a very active young lady involved in competitive cheerleading,” Dr. Sanderson said. “She came to us with concerns for a serious injury. We were able to quickly obtain an MRI, and luckily, we were able to treat her with physical therapy and a home exercise program. She has returned to her activities better than before.”
When she’s not cheering, Kelly can usually be found hanging out with her four dogs grabbing fast food, and enjoying time with family. She especially loves going to the rodeo and county fairs, where she cheers on barrel racers and enjoys the exciting carnival rides.
Kelly’s story highlights what specialized pediatric sports medicine can accomplish. Through accurate diagnosis and individualized physical therapy, Shriners Children’s Texas staff helped her return to the sport she loves, ready for what comes next.
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