Athletic Trainer's Expert Care Spurs Remarkable Recovery for High Schooler

At North Carolina's Thomasville High School, the resilience of sophomore linebacker Elijah McNeair and the expertise of Athletic Trainer Kaila Nyepon really shows the powerful impact of dedicated care in high school sports!

After suffering a severe ankle injury during a football game, McNeair was quickly attended to by Nyepon, who is part of Novant Health's sports medicine program that supports student-athletes across various high schools.

“Miss Kaila helped carry me off the field. She was there, telling me it was OK.”

The injury, which occurred when a teammate accidentally fell on McNeair's leg, resulted in a fractured fibula and torn ligaments.

The urgent care provided by Nyepon, including popping the ankle back into place and stabilizing it with a splint, was crucial.

Following an emergency department visit, surgery was performed to insert a metal rod and a tightrope device for added ligament stability, allowing for a potentially quicker recovery.

Dr. Steven Potter, the surgeon from Novant Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine - Thomasville, explained the advantages of the metal rod over traditional methods:

“There have been scientific studies that show some athletes are able to return to activity faster.”

Throughout his recovery, McNeair, a multi-sport athlete with collegiate aspirations, relied heavily on Nyepon’s guidance.

“She helped me rehab both physically and mentally."

Nyepon’s approach went beyond physical rehabilitation, addressing the psychological hurdles McNeair faced. Her support was instrumental in helping him return to wrestling in the winter and play baseball in the spring, though he skipped the track season to allow more healing time.

McNeair expressed deep gratitude for Nyepon’s role in his recovery:

“Without Miss Kaila, I wouldn’t be as strong as I am, and my injuries would have been a big setback for me.”

We love stories like these because they underscore the essential role of ATs in not only managing injuries but also fostering athletes' overall resilience and confidence! 

Read more about her story here!