When a football injury left De Pere High School athlete Jack Gretzinger with a broken metacarpal, he and his family found themselves navigating an unexpected challenge just as wrestling season was approaching.
"We first saw Dr. Kirkpatrick two days after my son Jack's football injury," said Jack's mother, Polly. "He had already looked at the x-ray and tentatively booked a surgery for that week, as he knew how important a quick recovery was for my dual-sport son."
For the Gretzinger family, this was their first experience with a serious sports injury.
"Dr. Kirkpatrick took the time to explain the options and worked with Jack, so he understood a realistic healing time and what was going to happen during surgery," Polly said.
Jack underwent surgery to repair the fracture, which required three screws to stabilize the bone. Following surgery, Polly was particularly impressed by the time Dr. Kirkpatrick took to explain the procedure and answer her questions.
"He worked so well with Jack and was realistic, supportive, and ultimately left some of the choices up to him, which made him feel like he had a role in his recovery rather than just being along for the ride," she said.
Through follow-up visits, imaging, and occupational therapy, Jack steadily progressed toward his goal of returning to sports.
"For young athletes, getting back to the sport they love is often the goal from day one. Our job is to help them recover safely, understand the process, and build confidence along the way. Jack worked hard throughout his recovery, and it was rewarding to see him return to wrestling with confidence." said Dr. Kirkpatrick.
"His advice and confidence in the recovery have gone a long way to easing our fears for a return to sports while still ensuring he makes a full recovery," Polly said.
Today, Jack is back on the wrestling mat with confidence.
"While we wish we wouldn't have had to go through this experience, the consistent communication from Dr. Kirkpatrick and his team made it much less frightening and gave us peace of mind," Polly said. "We are so appreciative."