Local softball star Macy Cortez is back training for upcoming team GB trials, following a severe ankle injury, thanks to expert treatment at the Medical Specialist Group.
As if out of a Lewis Carroll novel, Macy fell down a rabbit hole while out walking with a friend which caused her to snap her anterior talo-fibular ligament (ATFL), the ligament responsible for foot rotation and stability, and left her with a number of smaller tears and strains in the foot and ankle.
The incident happened just two days before what would have been Macy’s debut in the Channel Islands’ softball Muratti, bringing her season to a very abrupt end.
After diagnosis, Macy spent 11 weeks in a boot before being referred to the Medical Specialist Group’s (MSG) Orthopaedic & Sports Injury Clinic to see specialist physiotherapist Jim Marshall. With a shared goal of getting Macy’s ankle fit again in time for the 2023 season and crucially for this year’s team GB ‘Futures’ trials in April, Macy saw Jim each week for a month to work on her rehabilitation. Sessions consisted of ankle examination, mobility tests, and exercises and stretches to continue at home to increase mobility and strengthen the joint.
Commenting on her experience, Macy said: “I couldn’t fault the treatment I received from Jim. From our first session I was reassured that Jim understood how important my sport was to me and it felt like he embraced my goals as his own, which filled me with hope. He gave me the confidence to listen to my body and the tools to really take control of my rehab.
“I had to take my “homework” seriously, but I trusted Jim fully and after just four sessions he gave me the all-clear to ease back into training. I was so pleased with my progress, I never expected to be able to return so quickly.”
Macy has been playing for GB Futures for the last four years but needs to retrial each year to secure her spot in the team. Her excellent progress has allowed her to return to off-season training, practicing ground balls and fielding skills with her dad and friends, ahead of league training which resumes next month with local team the Rookies. Macy’s goal this season is to come back stronger than ever, make team GB once more, and prove herself enough in training and the World Series to be selected for the European Championships.
Jim said: “It was a pleasure to help Macy return to the sport she loves. She was very diligent with her exercises and stretches and listened to my advice when it came to resting and a having a gentle return to training, which absolutely contributed to her speedy recovery. I treat a lot of high-level athletes and you can see how passionate they are about their sport and how hard it is to refrain from it, particularly when important competitions are looming. It’s very rewarding to help patients achieve their goals – getting them back to doing what they love by doing what I love.”
