Darrin Staloch, PT; Chad Nicosia; Kyle Borque, MD; Siji Afolayan and Jasmine Debose, AT.
Rebuilding the Knee Complex multi-ligament injuries used to be devastating. Today, specialists at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Sugar Land help both athletes and weekend warriors regain the strength and function they need.
S
iji Afolayan’s injury occurred in the last football game of his sophomore year. The game was almost over, and the Bush High School student was blocking on a kickoff return. As the play ended, he was pushed from behind. When he planted his left foot to try and maintain his balance, his knee bent awkwardly. Right away, he knew something was wrong. “I heard crunching sounds and then I felt tingling in my leg,” he recalled. “And then my knee started swelling. It was so painful.” His injuries were severe – two torn ligaments; a damaged nerve running along the outside of his knee; and the complete separation of his femur and tibia. But Afolayan was persistent; he knew there was an opportunity to join the varsity for an upcoming playoff game, and he wanted to participate.
It wasn’t until the coaching staff at Bush noticed he was dragging his foot while walking – due to the nerve damage – that he let on about the extent of his injury. “I didn’t want to believe it was as bad as it was,” said Afolayan. “I just wanted to keep playing.”
COVER STORY
Photos by Kelley Sweet Photography
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Siji Afolayan.
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