At just 12 years old, Pyper’s life is full of basketball, golf, swimming and time with friends. So, when a sudden knee injury during a basketball tournament stopped everything in its tracks, her world changed in an instant.
“I went for a layup and collided with another girl,” Pyper recalled. “I felt something pop – it didn’t feel good.”
At first, her parents hoped it was just a minor twist. But when Pyper couldn’t straighten her leg days later, and missed a game she had been looking forward to, her mom, Leslie, knew it was time to seek professional care. Thanks to a positive experience with Central Indiana Orthopedics (CIO) in the past, Leslie chose CIO’s Walk-In Clinic in Muncie, even though it was a 45-minute drive from their home in Union City.
“We came in, got checked in, and probably within 10 minutes we were seeing the doctor,” Leslie said. “Everyone was friendly and informative. They told us what we didn’t want to hear, but it was still a great experience.”
An MRI confirmed the doctor’s suspicion: Pyper had torn her ACL. The CIO team scheduled her for outpatient surgery with Dr. Scott Waterman, guiding the family through every step of the process.
“The surgery experience was really good,” Leslie said. “It was nerve-racking to take her in for surgery at 12 years old, but the staff made her feel comfortable and well cared for.”
While Pyper doesn’t remember much about the day of surgery, she does remember the support and reassurance she received. Even small gestures from the team helped ease her nerves during an overwhelming moment.
After surgery, Pyper began physical therapy at CIO’s Muncie location, which has been a critical part of her recovery. “I really like my physical therapist,” she said. “I run, ride the bike, do leg presses and even dribble the basketball. I feel like I’m moving better than I was and I’ve gained some muscle back.”
Leslie noticed the personal attention the therapy team gave Pyper. “They always asked about her week and how she was feeling,” she said. “It’s a family-like atmosphere.”
The convenience of having everything in one location made a big difference, too. “Coming to CIO has been very convenient,” Leslie said. “We used the Walk-In Clinic, had the surgery, see Dr. Waterman for follow-ups, and physical therapy – all in one place.”
Throughout her recovery, Pyper and her family felt treated as individuals, not just another appointment. “They took time to answer all our questions and made sure we understood each next step,” Leslie said. “We never felt rushed.”
Today, Pyper has been fully released and is back to playing basketball. “It’s been a great experience,” Leslie said. “Everyone has been friendly, kind and informative. We would absolutely recommend CIO to anyone.”
Pyper’s story is a reminder that with expert orthopedic care, compassionate providers and a well-coordinated patient journey, even young athletes can recover from serious injuries and return to doing what they love.
To learn more about Central Indiana Orthopedics and how our team can support your orthopedic needs, explore our services at ciocenter.com/services.
Pyper & her CIO physical therapist, Dwayne
Pyper during one of her physical therapy sessions