Beacon team helps local high school athlete bounce back and overcome four injuries

A diehard basketball fan and dedicated player, Gabe Burgin has a deep love for the game — a passion he inherited from his mom, uncles, and grandfather, all of whom played the sport. Gabe’s high school career was full of potential, but it took an unexpected turn when a series of injuries threatened to derail his dreams.

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Gabe entered South Bend Washington High School with high hopes and full of promise. Considered a highly regarded prospect, he made the varsity basketball team as a freshman, setting the stage for what he hoped would be a standout career.

However, about two months into the school year, a freak accident in the school parking lot fractured his lower tibia. After surgery and physical therapy, Gabe was glad to return to the court and his team for what remained of the season.

Then — another setback. Gabe was playing a scrimmage toward the end of the his freshman year when he heard his knee pop.

Despite resting the knee for a week, it was not improving. An MRI revealed a torn meniscus in his right knee. “I was distraught and hurt,” Gabe recalls. “I didn’t understand why it was happening to me.”

The new injury meant a second surgery for Gabe, followed by another round of physical therapy.

“It was very hard, but I got through it,” he says. Gabe credits the support of his trainers and family for helping him keep his spirits up, and he was excited to get back on the basketball court for his sophomore season.

All was going well until, about midway through the season, Gabe noticed that his right knee kept clicking and swelling. His trainers were unsure of what was happening, and Gabe feared more bad news.

Gabe was referred to Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists, where he learned he required a third surgery.

This time, it was to repair another meniscus tear and a defect with his knee cartilage. Experiencing yet another setback battered his spirit and prompted Gabe to question himself as he continued to feel the weight of expectations from his coaches and team.

“Gabe came to me with an unfortunate set of injuries prompting his inability to play,” says Dr. LeeAnne Torres, orthopedic sports surgeon, Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists. “He faced this challenge head on to do what was necessary to safely return.”

Dr. Torres performed the procedure to repair Gabe’s knee, and the athlete says he recovered fast. “After that surgery I had a quick recovery, and that was the best my knee had felt,” Gabe says. “I thought this would be the year I could really show what I could do on the court.”

By the end of sophomore year, Gabe felt fully recovered. He and his basketball trainer Cedric Moodie spent the summer preparing not only to return to his previous level of performance that next season but to surpass it.

As he entered junior year, Gabe feel like himself again. He had even adopted a vegan diet to support his health and recovery. Yet, the day after a good basketball workout, Gabe woke to pain in his left knee.

“It was unbelievable,” Gabe says. “This was the exact same feeling as when I tore my meniscus, but I hadn’t done anything.” He thought there was no way he could have injured his left knee.

His mom urged him to remain calm and consult with Dr. Torres. An MRI and X-ray confirmed the worst: Not only had Gabe injured his left knee, it was worse than his previous injury. He had torn his meniscus and bruised his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), meaning he would require a fourth surgery.

“Out of all of the surgeries, this hurt the most because I had worked so hard that past summer, my body was feeling great, and I was in a good mental state, he says.

Dr. Torres emphasizes the impact of rehabilitation and a team approach to recovery.

“Gabe had a clear understanding of the importance of physical therapy and rehabilitation postoperatively that led to his success,” Dr. Torres says. “With the help of our entire Beacon team’s support, he has continued to demonstrate grit and motivation to safely return to the court.”

Though the recovery process took longer this time, and Gabe had to sit out for the rest of his junior season, he remained determined. He still attended games to support his team, and his belief that God still had a plan for him helped sustain this young athlete.

Gabe continued focus on his recovery over the summer and was cleared to play just two weeks before the first game of his senior year at Washington.

“I was excited but really nervous,” Gabe says. Despite the anxiety after his series of injuries, he was back on the court when it counted. The team had a winning 16-6 record this year going into the playoffs, and Gabe played an integral role in their success.

An important part of Gabe’s journey and triumph over injury has been the unwavering support of his Beacon care team, which includes Beacon Athletic Trainer Kendra Weber, MS, LAT, ATC. Kendra has been caring for athletes at Washington High School for 25 years.

Gabe’s resilience stands out to her most.

“People couldn’t wait to see him play, and then he didn’t get to play,” Kendra says. “He has stuck it out and always has a good attitude. He never let it affect the team. He showed up, came to practices, came to games, and still supported everybody.”

Gabe is grateful that Kendra and his physical therapists were all there for him. He chuckles when he recalls that every time the physical therapists would see him, they’d greet him with, “Oh no, not again!”

“I love all of them, and it was a great experience to have those relationships with them,” he says.

Kendra emphasized that the care team has been determined to do everything they can to keep Gabe on the court his senior year. Meanwhile, Gabe has been keeping up with his schoolwork as well as athletics. He is enrolled in his Washington High School’s medical program, focused on pursuing a career as a radiologist.

But first, he will finish high school. And it should come as no surprise that Gabe is already looking forward to playing college basketball.

“I like to work on my craft and try to get better every day,” he says. “Basketball really means a lot to me.”

Learn more

When your daily life and routines have changed because of bone fractures, joint, muscle or tendon pain, it’s time to see the experts. Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists provide expert orthopedic care while helping you get back to doing what you love – whether that’s playing on the court, running on the weekend or heading out to the garden.

Athletes like Gabe Burgin and others who participate in physical activity are more than just bones and muscles. The orthopedic and sports medicine physicians at Beacon are dedicated to delivering a comprehensive approach to sports medicine for the injured and healthy athlete.

Specializing in sports medicine, our physicians work closely with physical therapists, athletic trainers, exercise physiologists, primary care physicians, orthopedic surgeons, nutritionists and sports psychologists to help athletes of all ages and abilities achieve their peak performance.