North Oconee High School sophomore swimmer Addison Christenberry was recently named Athlete of the Month by the Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Department at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center. The award is given each month to a student athlete who has shown perseverance while dealing with an injury or illness. 

Christenberry was seen for bilateral shoulder pain because of which she was unable to swim. Working together, orthopedic advanced practice provider Joe Kilzi and sports medicine physical therapist Zach Thomas, developed a non-surgical treatment plan to increase rotator cuff and scapulothoracic strength and restore glenohumeral (shoulder) joint stabilization. 

"Addison initially came in unable to swim due to pain, but she did not let her injury discourage her but rather used it as fuel to return to the pool better than she was previously,” said Thomas. “She came into each session ready to work and looking for new exercises to improve her strength. She was also eager to learn what she could do to improve her times in the pool while minimizing the risk of recurrent pain.” 

Christenberry’s shoulder pain was likely caused by repetitive, overuse of the shoulder joint. Warning signs of a shoulder injury can include decreased range of motion, swelling, bruising, constant pain or pain that worsens over time, pain that is not relieved after rest, icing, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines. While shoulder pain is not uncommon, if the pain begins to impact basic life activities, such as reaching up to brush your hair, you should see a specialist for a proper diagnosis.

"Addison is a dedicated and passionate athlete," said Thomas. "Because of her resiliency and hard work, she is now swimming at her best, breaking personal records, and even made it to the state competition as a freshman.”

The Piedmont Athens Regional Orthopedic Sports Medicine team established the Athlete of the Month program to recognize the dedication of student athletes in the area.

"The athletes we work with are truly amazing and have to overcome so much to play sports again after an injury or illness," said Katie Terrell, athletic trainer and outreach coordinator for the hospital’s sports medicine program. "This award was developed to celebrate their hard work in our sports medicine rehab program. We’re excited about working with student athletes from middle school through college and into adulthood. Our athletic trainers and therapists have advanced training in sports medicine and are dedicated to keeping student athletes playing their sport."

As the Athlete of the Month, Christenberry received a certificate and is featured in the Orthopedic Sports Medicine facility located on Piedmont’s Oconee Health Campus in Watkinsville, Ga.

Piedmont Physicians Orthopedic Sports Medicine of Athens recently welcomed Alexander Graf, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand and upper extremity surgery and treatment. For more information about services offered by Piedmont Physicians Orthopedic Sports Medicine of Athens, visit piedmont.org/AthensOrthoSportsMed.