Emma’s Story: Returning to Gymnastics After Elbow Surgery
Emma’s Story: Returning to Gymnastics After Elbow Surgery
Gymnastics has always been a big part of Emma’s life. At 13, the Burlington, New Jersey, athlete trains year-round and competes in all four gymnastic events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercises. She loves the focus, the challenge and pushing her body to do hard things.
But by the summer of 2024, something that once felt natural began to hurt.
When pain becomes too hard to ignore
Emma had noticed elbow discomfort for a while and tried to push through it. Like many young athletes, she didn’t want to slow down or miss time in the gym. Over time, though, the pain became more frequent — especially during gymnastics — and eventually started affecting everyday tasks, like opening doors.
By July 2024, both elbows hurt, with the right one bothering her the most. After a short break from gymnastics and anti-inflammatory medicine helped only a little, Emma’s family knew they needed more answers. An MRI showed the cause: osteochondritis dissecans in both elbows. Small pieces of bone and cartilage had loosened and were moving inside the joint, causing pain and limiting motion.
Understanding the diagnosis: osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) happens when a small piece of bone and cartilage doesn’t get enough blood flow and begins to loosen. In young athletes, OCD lesions are often linked to repetitive stress, especially in sports that put a lot of pressure on certain joints. In the elbow, this condition most commonly affects the capitellum — a key part of the joint used during weight-bearing activities like gymnastics and throwing.
Because Emma’s pain wasn’t improving and the lesions were unstable, surgery was recommended. When Emma met with Apurva Shah, MD, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) who specializes in sports injuries involving the upper limb, he took time to carefully evaluate the full picture.
A thoughtful, step-by-step plan for elbow surgery
Hearing that she needed surgery on both elbows was overwhelming. Emma was scared, and she was heartbroken about having to step away from gymnastics — especially after just starting at a new gym she loved.
Dr. Shah spent time explaining the diagnosis, treatment options and what recovery could look like. He recommended removing the loose pieces and repairing the joints using donor cartilage and bone. This avoided taking tissue from her own body.
Because both elbows needed surgery, Dr. Shah created a staged plan, spacing the procedures about three months apart so Emma could recover safely and efficiently.
Emma’s surgeries were performed in December 2024 (right elbow) and March 2025 (left elbow). Both were successful. She went home the same day as surgery and began the long, careful process of healing.
Elbow Surgery FAQ Guide for Parents
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Recovery is more than physical
After surgery, Emma wore a cast only briefly, and then quickly transitioned to a hinged brace that protected her elbow while allowing gentle movement. She began physical therapy once it was safe, focusing first on range of motion, then strength, and eventually impact-specific training designed for gymnasts.
Physically, Emma worked hard — but emotionally, the time away from gymnastics was just as challenging.
For months, she stayed out of the gym because watching other athletes train was too painful. Gymnastics had been her main outlet, and suddenly it was gone. Finding another creative outlet — theater — helped her fill that gap and reminded her that she was more than just an athlete.
Throughout recovery, Dr. Shah and the CHOP care team helped Emma understand what was normal, what to watch for and when it was time to take the next step.
Getting back in motion
About 2½ months after her second surgery, Emma safely began strengthening. By three months post-op, she started impact-loading training and slowly returned to gymnastics skills. At four months, she was practicing about eight hours a week.
By July 2025, Emma was working on handstands, roundoffs and bars. Vault — the event that puts the most stress on the elbows — came last, just as planned.
In September 2025, Emma had a short setback when pain returned in both elbows. Dr. Shah ordered MRIs to make sure everything inside the joints was healthy. The results were reassuring. With a brief break from gymnastics, her pain completely resolved, and she was cleared for a gradual return.
Stronger than before
Just one year after her first surgery, Emma returned to Dr. Shah for a follow-up visit. She had reached a major milestone: she was fully back to competing in all events, with no pain and no restrictions.
Today, Emma is a Level 7 gymnast competing all-around. She continues to build strength and confidence. Vault — once the last event she could safely return to — is now one of her strongest. She also shines on beam and recently qualified for regional competition.
Looking back, Emma says the journey was long and difficult — but worth it.
“I didn’t think this would be possible,” she says. “Now I’m doing a full competition season.”
Emma’s story shows that with the right care and patience, young athletes can recover and return to the activities they love.
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