The last thing a professional athlete wants is an injury that takes them out of the game. When Chicago Fire Captain Jack Elliott got tackled and took a strong knee to his leg toward the end of an early game, he ended up with a fibular fracture and pain that made it difficult to walk for a few days.
But thanks to exceptional and swift care from the Endeavor Health orthopaedic sports medicine team, Elliott missed just one game and was back playing the following week, contributing to the Fire’s best season since 2017.
When original X-rays were negative, Jason Koh, MD, the team’s Chief Medical Officer and Endeavor Health orthopaedic surgeon, ordered an MRI, which revealed the stress fracture, a fairly common injury for highly physical athletes.
“Part of our job is to do whatever it takes to understand an injury, listening to the players and expediting advanced imaging and follow-up care,” said Endeavor Health sports medicine specialist Joshua Lilly, DO, who managed Elliott’s care.
Elliott was advised to stay off the leg as much as possible for a week and received bone stimulation therapy to encourage rapid healing. The stimulator generates micro ultrasound waves and is a non-invasive treatment that helps speed the body’s healing process, explained Dr. Lilly.
Elliott worked with the team’s trainers and medical team to help reduce the swelling in the injured leg and was able to continue training with an underwater treadmill. “It wasn’t fun, but I managed to stay fit,” said Elliott, who credits the medical team with reassuring him that he could train and return to playing without risking more serious injury.
“Once the bone healed there is no extra risk there, and we were able to clear him to return to play after minimal time away,” said Dr. Lilly.
“I was reassured that it wasn’t anything too serious,” recalled Elliott, who has also tapped Endeavor Health experts for care for his wife and young daughter.
Like his teammates, Elliott is highly focused on recovery, using the team’s resources and its Endeavor Health Performance Center. “Their focus on recovery is critical to keeping them in the game. From rehab and stretching, to body work and sufficient sleep, effective recovery makes a very real difference,” said Dr. Lilly.
“It’s a privilege to help these elite athletes and work with players from around the world,” said Dr. Lilly, a huge sports fan, who has worked with the Fire for three seasons “It’s demanding, but also helps keep us on our toes.”
Post-season games helped spread soccer fever across Chicago and Elliott and his teammates are already looking ahead to next year and are excited for what’s to come.
“Chicago is really starting to feel like home and as a club we’re grateful that soccer is such a huge thing in Chicago and that we’ve helped ignite a flame for young kids and new fans around the city,” said Elliott.
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