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Erin Katz
YOU DON’T HAVE TO RUN,
throw or swing like a pro athlete to get
hurt like one. No matter what type of
game you play or how good you are at
playing it, injuries are a part of sports.
“Certainly any body part can be injured,
but the majority of sports injuries are or-
thopedic in nature,” said Charles Hartzog,
MD, orthopedic surgeon with Alabama
Orthopaedic Specialists.
Most sports injuries involve the muscu-
loskeletal system, which includes muscles;
bones; and tissues, such as cartilage and
ligaments.
Matter of resilience
Erin Katz played soccer at Montgomery
Academy and had anterior cruciate liga-
ment (ACL) reconstruction in both knees.
After rehab, she returned to help her team
win back-to-back state championships in
2011 and 2012 and
was All Metro Player
of the Year in 2011.
Katz will play college
soccer for Brown
University next year.
“When I first in-
jured my right knee,
my mind was going
at a mile a minute,”
Katz said. “Did I tear
something? How long am I going to be
out? Will I have a chance to play soccer in
college? But my first visit with Dr. Hartzog
answered all my questions. He confirmed
that I tore my ACL and damaged my
meniscus, but he was positive I would be
able to get back to the game I loved—with
hard work—in a matter of months.”
The day after Katz’ ACL reconstructive
surgery, she started physical therapy with
Robert Kohn and the other therapists at
Rehab Associates.
“Rehab Associates was a great environ-
ment for me to work hard and focus on
getting back to running, cutting, and even-
tually playing with full contact,” she said.
“Unfortunately, a few months after I
was back to playing, I tore my other ACL,
but this time I knew straight from the be-
ginning that I would be in good hands and
back to playing in time to impress some
college coaches!”
A weight off his shoulder
Will Clemmons (pictured on page 11)
played football for Alabama Christian
Academy and had major shoulder and
knee injuries. He received major recon-
structive shoulder surgery after sustaining
multiple shoulder dislocations—and he
had a major knee injury when he tore his
ACL, posterior cruciate ligament (PCL),
and medial collateral ligament (MCL). He
worked hard through physical therapy to
recover fully from both injuries.
“After my injury, Dr. Hartzog was con-
tacted directly and got me the treatment I
needed quickly,” said Clemmons. “I think
[Kohn’s] knowledge and experience helped
me heal quickly and get back to my nor-
mal activities. He and Dr. Hartzog worked
Don’t be sidelined
Go to
. Under “Our
Services,” select “Sports Medicine.” Or call
334-293-8500
.
HUR
S P O R T S I N J U R I E S : S T O R I E S O F D E T
8
Charles
Hartzog, MD