Conditions + Treatments
Knee Injury/Condition
Meniscus Tear
Mason, our now 14-year old son, faced one of the toughest challenges of his childhood in late 2023. At just 13-years-old, Mason was injured during wrestling practice, and it would change the future of his baseball season.
It all started in December of 2023, during the first day of Christmas wrestling practice. Mason competed on his middle school wrestling team, practicing for the upcoming county tournament.
While wrestling, a fellow teammate made a move that resulted in intense pressure on Mason’s left knee. Mason’s knee locked up, and his teammate fell on top of him, causing intense pain. Mason immediately knew something was wrong.
My husband and I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Jay Umarvadia at Andrews Sports Medicine’s Gardendale clinic. Dr. Umarvadia evaluated Mason’s knee and ordered an MRI that same day. Unfortunately, the results were disappointing as Mason had torn the medial meniscus in his left knee.
Our family was devastated. Mason had just poured his heart and soul into making North Jefferson Middle School baseball team, preparing months for the tryout. Baseball isn’t just a game to Mason, it is his favorite sport and passion. He had spent years training and practicing to make his middle school team. With the baseball season just around the corner, Mason’s injury meant he would miss both the middle school baseball season as well as his summer travel season with Mafia Baseball.
Dr. Umarvadia referred us to one of Andrews orthopaedic surgeons, Dr. Wayne McGough at Andrews Birmingham clinic. During the surgical consultation, Dr. McGough explained that the injury was severe and would require surgery. The recovery would be long, taking three to four months to recover.
It was a tough time for Mason. He felt the weight of missing out on both wrestling and baseball, especially given how much effort he had put into preparing for the baseball season. The surgery was scheduled for that Friday, and Mason began his recovery. He faced a long road ahead that consisted of months of physical therapy, constant appointments, and time spent at home.
However, Mason was determined to keep pushing forward. Even though he couldn’t participate in wrestling or baseball , he attended his team’s practices, supported his teammates, and did whatever he could to stay connected to the sports he loved.
March 11, 2024, was the turning point for Mason, when he received the all-clear from Dr. McGough and was released to play again. The very next day, just one day after his release, Mason suited up and took the field for a game, where he hit a stand-up double. It was a big comeback moment for Mason.
Mason didn’t just stop there. He went on to play for his summer baseball team, and one Saturday, he played an entire day of games, performing at an incredibly high level. He even executed a perfect sacrifice bunt, showing just how much he had regained and how hard he had worked to come back.
Just six months later, when things were looking up, another injury struck. During a lateral sprint at wrestling practice, Mason turned and tore the medial meniscus in his left knee again. Dr. McGough, who had been so kind and encouraging throughout Mason’s first surgery, reassured him and said that these things happen to athletes.
“You’re a real athlete now,” Dr. McGough told Mason, encouraging him to keep pushing despite the setbacks. He explained that, in some cases, the injury just doesn’t heal properly on its own. Mason faced his second surgery with determination, knowing the recovery would be challenging. Dr. McGough and his PA, Katie, and our family continued to support Mason, and he was determined to get back on the field, no matter what it took.
Through it all, Mason remained resilient. His attitude remained positive, and even when the setbacks seemed overwhelming, he never gave up on his dream to play the sport he loved. His journey was a reminder that injuries are part of being an athlete, but it’s the comeback, the fight to return to form, that truly defines an athlete’s character.
Throughout the process, Dr. McGough stayed in close contact with our family, showing personal care and offering support. When Mason made his triumphant return to the baseball field, hitting that stand-up double, the first person we sent a video to was Dr. McGough.
Our family is very grateful for the level of care and support Mason received from both Dr. McGough and Dr. Umarvadia in helping him achieve Victory Over Injury TWICE!
Brooke Miller – Mason’s Miller’s Mom
