Two Siblings, One Goal — Getting Back to an Active Lifestyle with MOSA

The Injuries

In March of 2021, Jack had just been cleared to return to activity after injuring his wrist while snowboarding. In a stroke of bad luck, he suffered another injury almost immediately, fracturing his ankle in a skateboarding fall.

Jack was dedicated to becoming an aviation mechanic, and his studies at Connecticut Aerotech required extensive hands-on learning. Because of his injuries, his technical school training was delayed, and the career he had been working toward had to be delayed.

Meanwhile, Jack’s sister Gillian, a competitive gymnast, track athlete, and avid skier, was facing her own orthopedic challenges. At the same time Jack’s ankle was being treated, Gillian suffered a meniscal tear in her knee. Later, while running track in college, Gillian began experiencing serious hip pain, first in her right, then in her left, which hampered her ability to compete on the track and enjoy an active lifestyle off of it.

The Solutions

To get Jack and Gillian back to doing what they loved, their family turned to the expert surgeons at Middlesex Orthopedic & Spine Associates (MOSA). Dr. Adebola Adeleke, podiatric surgeon at MOSA, personally oversaw the reduction of Jack’s fracture after clinic hours and performed surgery to implant plates and screws to stabilize his ankle.

Dr. Michael Kuhn, sports medicine and shoulder surgeon at MOSA, surgically repaired Gillian’s meniscal tear. He also performed arthroscopic surgery to repair Gillian’s torn hip labrums – the right in November of 2022, and the left in November of 2023. He was in close communication with the family throughout, even texting them on a weekend to relay important information about one of Gillian’s injuries.

The Results

Thanks to Dr. Adeleke’s surgical skill, Jack recovered from his surgery and completed his training to become a certified Aircraft Maintenance Technician. He also earned his FAA Airframe and Powerplant license, and now works for a private jet company.

Fully healthy after multiple surgeries with Dr. Kuhn, Gillian recently finished her undergraduate degree and got back on the slopes as a certified professional ski instructor at Powder Ridge in Middletown. Now, she is moving to Nevada to start her next chapter, and is looking forward to some skiing out west.

Last winter, Jack and Gillian, who are just 14 months apart in age and have always been close, went skiing and snowboarding together in Vermont, once again able to share the activities they love in full health. The photo they captured that day was the culmination of years of care and support from Drs. Adeleke and Kuhn throughout their recoveries.

In the Surgeons’ Words

“When I am caring for a patient, their goals become my goals,” Dr. Adeleke explained. “It was incredibly rewarding to help Jack get healthy and return to his career path.”

“Gillian is a lifelong athlete. My top priority as her orthopedic surgeon was providing the care she needed to get back to the active lifestyle that fulfills her,” Dr. Kuhn said.

From the Family’s Perspective

For Teresa, mother of Jack and Gillian and an operating room nurse, the surgeons at MOSA were the clear choice to care for her children.

“I chose Dr. Adeleke and Dr. Kuhn because I knew my family was in good hands and that they were getting expert care. They are some of the very best in their fields.”

Now, seeing Jack and Gillian back on the slopes, Teresa can take a moment to enjoy the outcome of her decision.

“It really made me happy as a mom to see my kids healthy and healed and having a good time doing something they love.” 

About Dr. Adebola Adeleke and Dr. Michael Kuhn

Dr. Adebola Adeleke is a fellowship-trained podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon at Middlesex Orthopedic & Spine Associates. Learn more about Dr. Adeleke here.

Dr. Michael Kuhn is a fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon at Middlesex Orthopedic & Spine Associates. Learn more about Dr. Kuhn here.