Trampoline injury no match for young patient and Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists
Emmy McCuddy is the kind of rambunctious little girl who wants to keep up with the bigger kids in her neighborhood — always ready for an adventure. When Emmy was 3, she was jumping on a trampoline with neighbor kids when she landed awkwardly on her right leg. Her mother, Michelle, immediately knew something was wrong.
“Emmy wasn’t able to put weight on her leg and was really crying,” Michelle said. “She’s not much of a crier, but she was pretty inconsolable, and it was hard to get her to calm down.”
The family was preparing for a birthday party for Emmy’s brother later that day, but because of Michelle’s background in physical therapy, she knew Emmy needed medical attention right away.
Fortunately, Michelle was able to get Emmy a same-day appointment with Dr. Mitchell Daugherty, a sports medicine specialist at Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists Orthopedic Walk-In Clinic in South Bend, Indiana.
Dr. Mitchell Daugherty
Dr. Daugherty applied a splint to stabilize Emmy’s leg until a follow-up appointment the next day for additional X-rays and treatment. The splint didn’t stay on long — on the ride home, rambunctious little Emmy managed to remove it.
Michelle patiently reapplied the splint, and the family headed off to the birthday party.
The following day, Michelle took Emmy to Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists Navarre in South Bend, where she was seen by Dr. Eric McCoy, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in orthopedic trauma. An X-ray revealed Emmy had a nondisplaced fracture, meaning the bone remained aligned. Surgery was not required, only a cast.
Making care a positive experience
Being treated for a leg fracture can be frightening — especially for a 3-year-old — but Emmy’s care team focused on easing her fears with patience, reassurance and gentle support throughout her visits.
“At both locations, she was treated very kindly,” Michelle said. “At her follow-up appointment, they made her feel special by blowing bubbles and helping her calm down. She got to pick out her special purple cast — she really wanted a purple cast — so that was very exciting for her.”
Even getting an X-ray became a positive experience.
“The X-ray technician was amazing with Emmy,” Michelle said. “Emmy loved her sparkly fingernails, and the technician treated her like a princess.”
Dr. Eric McCoy
Dr. McCoy said providers at Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists take special care when treating pediatric patients.
“We do our best to make the process as smooth and comfortable as possible,” he said. “We also value the child’s perspective and preferences. Simple things — like incorporating a favorite stuffed animal and asking how they’re feeling — can make a big difference during challenging visits.”
Jeanna McCuddy, NP, a part of Emmy’s care team at Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists who also happens to be Emmy’s aunt, said the approach helped put her niece at ease.
“Emmy was very curious about her care and asked a lot of questions,” Jeanna said. “When it was time to remove her full-leg cast, she wasn’t even afraid of the cast saw, which is often not the case.”
Michelle believes Emmy wasn’t afraid of the saw because staff made the process more of a magical experience where Emmy could use her imagination.
“They kept her interested, and now she likes to pretend she’s a doctor,” Michelle said.
A grateful mother’s advice to other parents
Emmy’s fracture has fully healed, and now 4, she’s back to being her happy-go-lucky self — playing with neighbor kids (except on the trampoline), taking gymnastics lessons and enjoying all the activities she loved before her injury.
Michelle is grateful for the outcome and offers this advice to other parents in similar situations:
“Trust your instincts,” she said. “I felt something was seriously wrong with Emmy and instead of waiting, I had her examined right away. Getting the splint immediately helped stabilize her leg and prevent the fracture from getting worse.”
Michelle is also thankful for the care Emmy received at Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists.
“Emmy received such compassionate, specialized care,” she said. “Thanks to everyone who played a role in her treatment, she’s now able to live a normal 4-year-old life.”
