As a fifth-grade teacher and dance coach, Abby Phillips finds joy in movement — whether it’s choreographing routines, spending time with her dog or being active outdoors. But in a split second, one jump during a carefully practiced dance routine changed everything…
During a pro dance audition, Abby tore her ACL while performing a jump split. The injury was immediate, and so was the impact on her lifestyle. “Dance was such a big part of my identity,” Abby shared. “I went from dancing every day to not dancing at all. My knee was unstable and painful, and I even struggled just to walk. It felt like life was put on pause.”
Although the initial shock of the injury was disheartening, Abby quickly turned her focus toward healing. She came to Central Indiana Orthopedics for expert care and scheduled an appointment with Dr. Ryan Jaggers. “I could tell right away that Dr. Jaggers is passionate about what he does,” Abby recalled. “He listened to me, explained things clearly and gave me full confidence that I was in the right place.”
Dr. Jaggers recommended ACL repair surgery as the best course of action to restore Abby’s mobility and get her back to doing what she loved. From day one, Abby felt supported by every member of the CIO team. What stood out most was the clear, consistent communication that helped her stay grounded through a physically and emotionally demanding journey.
“With all the unknowns that come with an injury, it was such a relief to feel completely informed every step of the way,” she said. “They made sure I knew exactly what to expect — before surgery, during recovery and throughout rehab.”
The surgery was a success, but it was Abby’s hard work, determination and trust in her care team that made all the difference. With each step in her recovery, Abby slowly returned to the activities that make her feel most like herself. “While I’m still working toward getting back to the same level I was before my injury, I’m running, exercising and dancing again,” she said. “That alone is a huge gift. I’ll never take the ability to move for granted again.”
For Abby, getting back on her feet wasn’t just about healing physically, it was about reclaiming her sense of identity. Looking back on her journey, Abby is grateful for the care she received at CIO and the peace of mind it brought her during a difficult chapter.
“I had a lot of anxiety about the ‘what-ifs’ of my injury,” she said. “But had I known how supportive and skilled the team at CIO would be, I would’ve felt so much more at ease. Dr. Jaggers and everyone I interacted with were knowledgeable, kind and truly invested in my recovery.”
We’re honored to be a part of Abby’s comeback story and to support her return to the life she loves. If you’re facing an injury or setback and wondering what’s next, we’re here to help. Like Abby, you deserve support and expert care every step of the way.
Learn more about our sports medicine services at ciocenter.com/services/sports-medicine/.