Back in the game: Kole’s ACL surgery and recovery at Manning Family Children’s

On a fall afternoon in October 2023, Adria was in the stands watching her 13-year-old son, Kole, play football. He was running a familiar play toward the end zone when a player tackled him at the legs. The moment he hit the ground, she knew something was wrong.

“I just got up and ran to him,” Adria said. “They stopped the game, and everyone came to check on him. His knee was moved to the opposite side. I had never seen anything like that before.”

Kole was taken to the hospital, where he began to feel the pain that had been masked by shock on the field. X-rays confirmed a serious injury, and the team recommended transferring him for specialized pediatric orthopedic care.

He was sent to Lakeview Hospital in Covington, where Adria met Joseph Gonzales, MD, pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Manning Family Children’s—home to the largest and most comprehensive pediatric orthopedic program in Louisiana. With a team highly experienced in treating sports injuries, fractures, and complex joint conditions, Manning Family Children’s offers comprehensive care tailored specifically to growing athletes. This expertise reassured Adria that her son was in the right hands.
 

Dr. Gonzales reviewed Kole’s imaging and explained the injury clearly. Kole had torn both his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL). ACL tears are one of the most common knee injuries in youth athletes, particularly in high-intensity sports like football, basketball, and soccer. Because the ACL provides the knee’s stability, active children and teens often require surgical reconstruction to return safely to sports.

“They showed me the X-ray and told me what was going on,” Adria said. “I started crying first, and then Kole started tearing up. Dr. Gonzales told him he was going to be perfectly fine, and that he would take care of him. Kole loved him right away.”

Kole’s surgery was scheduled for January 2024 at Manning Family Children’s. Beforehand, the surgical team walked Adria and Kole through the full plan for reconstructing his torn ligaments. “He said he was going to go in and put about three screws in his knee,” Adria said. “They explained everything they were going to do.”

The surgery lasted about 45 minutes. As Adria waited, the care team’s compassion stayed with her. “There was a nurse with a ponytail to the side who was so sweet. She made the experience so comforting,” she said. “Everyone there was wonderful.”

Kole returned home the same day with a cold compression system, pain medication, and clear aftercare instructions. He rested with his knee elevated and used crutches for the first several weeks.

“He started physical therapy on February 5,” Adria said. “He had to elevate his knee, and he stayed on the couch for the first six weeks. They wanted him walking without crutches after three weeks.” Physical therapy focused on restoring range of motion, strengthening his surrounding muscles, and gradually rebuilding stability in the knee. For pediatric patients, this early and consistent rehabilitation is essential to long term success.

By week six, Kole was already asking when he could get back to sports. Adria appreciated how Dr. Gonzales eased her nerves. “He told Kole he was comfortable with him returning if I was,” she said. “I still let him sit out a couple more weeks for my own peace of mind. I wanted to make sure he was fully cleared.”

Once he was back, Kole eased into basketball and baseball practices while continuing physical therapy—and didn’t have a single setback.

Today, Kole is thriving. He recently discovered a passion for track, qualifying for the Junior Olympics in Texas before the school year began, and earning All-American status in the 400-meter race.

“He is doing absolutely wonderful,” Adria said. “He’s definitely a track star, and he plays all sports. He keeps me busy, and I am so excited for him.”

Reflecting on the experience, Adria feels grateful for the care Kole received at Manning Family Children’s. “They accommodated us with everything, even when we needed to change appointments,” she said. “Dr. Gonzales and the staff were great. I was so nervous about the whole thing, but he made me feel really good about it. I felt calm.”

Expert pediatric orthopedic care across Louisiana

Whether a child requires ongoing treatment for a complex condition, a coordinated visit through a multidisciplinary clinic, or a single appointment for reassurance, Manning Family Children’s serves as a comprehensive home for orthopedic care. The team provides advanced, respectful, and complete treatment for all orthopedic conditions.

As one of the largest and most comprehensive pediatric orthopedic programs in Louisiana, Manning Family Children’s treats everything from everyday sports injuries to complex musculoskeletal conditions. Families across the state turn to the orthopedic specialists for their experience, compassion, and dedication to helping children heal and return to what they love.

To learn more about the orthopedic team and services provided at Manning Family Children’s, visit https://www.manningchildrens.org/services/orthopedics/