Soccer Star Returns Stronger and Faster After PT

Seventeen-year-old Yujin Kikuchi loves the aggressive rush he will get whereas enjoying soccer.

“I like dribbling greatest, taking guys on and leaving them within the mud,” he stated. “I like creating probabilities for my teammates, and scoring objectives, after all. The sphere is a good place for me to indicate my creativity and creativeness.”

The left winger has left loads of different gamers within the mud on his journey to the elite participant he’s as we speak. He lately graduated from the San Jose Earthquakes academy workforce and can begin on the Earthquakes’ skilled B workforce this fall whereas he finishes his senior 12 months of highschool. After that, he’ll head to Stanford College, the place he has already dedicated to enjoying soccer.

However a couple of 12 months in the past, Yujin’s future was much less sure. He’d performed by knee ache for a number of years, however when it out of the blue worsened, he determined to have surgical procedure in April 2024. The timing was not ideally suited: Yujin would nonetheless be recovering as faculty recruiting season began in June. However the harm was affecting his model of play.

A couple of days after the surgical procedure, which was carried out by Kevin Shea, MD, Yujin began physical therapy with Robert Pardue, PT, DPT. Yujin progressed from strolling with a brace and crutches to jogging, then sprinting, then reducing and different drills to observe the fast deceleration and acceleration wanted on the soccer discipline. The entire time, he was constructing muscle round his knee and all through his leg.

“Robert was at all times there, serving to me with the whole lot two instances per week,” Yujin stated.

Yujin recovered in a short time: He was in a position to begin coaching once more after simply 4 months of PT and was again within the recreation a month after that.

“It felt nice to be again; it felt like I wasn’t out for 4 months,” Yujin stated. “Even in PT I used to be at all times transferring my physique and touching the ball, so it felt pure to get again to enjoying.”

Pardue attributes Yujin’s speedy and profitable restoration to his dedication and supportive household.

“He positively obtained again to soccer sooner than nearly all of sufferers I’ve seen,” Pardue stated. “From day one, he had essentially the most mature and laser-focused mindset. His entire household was so supportive as effectively. For lots of the athletes we work with, their id is tied into their sport, so not with the ability to play for a number of months may be very difficult. Yujin was at all times so motivated—that’s a uncommon factor to see.”

Yujin’s mother and father, Kaz and Makiko, accompanied him to lots of his bodily remedy appointments, they usually noticed how Pardue helped Yujin by the psychological facets of PT.

“We met Robert in a time of uncertainty,” Kaz stated. “The primary few months after surgical procedure have been robust on Yujin, and the best way Robert linked with Yujin and inspired him actually helped.”

Yujin and Pardue linked over their shared love of soccer.

“I’ve performed soccer my entire life, and I’m very keen about it,” Pardue stated. “I even did PT after I was youthful after soccer accidents. Proper off the bat, Yujin and I have been in a position to construct a rapport.”

Pardue stated that the ambiance of the PT clinics at Stanford Medication Youngsters’s Well being can even assist encourage younger athletes.

“Each single day, we now have high-level athletes coming into our clinic, they usually see friends their age; they see a big area with squat racks and weights,” Pardue stated. “Getting into and seeing different youngsters their age working actually onerous makes it a enjoyable, aggressive setting.”

As Yujin’s remedy wound down, Pardue labored with the Earthquakes’ PT workforce to make sure a easy transition. And as soon as Yujin was again on the sphere, Pardue cheered him on from the stands.

“I went to see him play 3 times, and it was so superb to see him on the market,” Pardue stated. “From seeing him within the clinic, I might inform he was very expert, however seeing him play was next-level.”

Yujin and Pardue nonetheless keep in contact through textual content, and Pardue is happy to see what Yujin accomplishes subsequent. “Now he’s again stronger and quicker than he was,” Kaz stated. “I believe now he can practice extra along with his left foot and is extra balanced by way of energy. He’s in a greater place than he was earlier than. It’s such a aid that the whole lot fell into place—Yujin dedicated to Stanford, and he’s nonetheless on a professional path with the Earthquakes. We’re super-grateful.”

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