Shoulder Injury to Cheerleading State Champ: Henry Ford’s Winning Formula to help Allen Park Senior Soar to the Top

Aubrey Peschke remembers her daughter Ella always tumbling and on-the-go when she was little. And those activities served the Allen Park resident well as she developed her love for competitive cheer.

“Ella started cheering when she was in first grade at the age of 7,” says Aubrey. “She was a natural at being a cheerleader and learning new skills on her own. She never took a gymnastics class growing up but taught herself new skills that were needed.”

Ella, who also played volleyball in middle school, devoted herself to being a cheerleader in high school making both sideline and competitive cheer teams as a freshman in high school.

Shoulder pop signals injury

During her freshman year in sideline cheer, Ella did a tumbling pass that landed her in the hospital.

“My shoulder popped out and I ended up not being able to hold my tuck and fell on my shoulder,” she recalls.

That night she was taken to the local emergency room; however, x-rays were clear and did not reveal any abnormalities. As she continued cheering through freshman and sophomore year her shoulder would pop in and out at times and she would use ice and ibuprofen to heal her pain.

Henry Ford Health physical leads to cause of shoulder popping

During the summer entering her junior year at Allen Park High School, Ella underwent a sports physical at Henry Ford Health leading to clues of her shoulder issues. During the physical, the doctor and Meaghan Rourke, Henry Ford Health Athletic Trainer who serves as the athletic trainer for Ella’s High School, observed that Ella’s shoulder should not be so easy to pop in and out.

“They recommended an arthroscopic MRI, and it revealed a labrum tear in her shoulder,” says Aubrey. A labral tear involves the cartilage that lines the shoulder socket, which can lead to popping, grinding and pain, especially with movement involving activities such as cheerleading.

After talking with Meaghan, Ella decided she wanted to get her shoulder repaired as soon as possible in hopes that she wouldn’t lose the rest of her cheer career. After another MRI revealed an additional tear, Ella underwent successful surgery to repair the tears in August 2023 and was able to begin slowly returning to cheer in June 2024.

The road to recovery with physical therapy and athletic training

Aubrey emphasizes even before the surgery Meaghan was extremely helpful in navigating the next steps to help Ella in the treatment and recovery process.

“Meaghan was always so helpful! She is the one over the first two years before surgery who gave Ella advice on what to work on to possibly help with the popping. She also helped set up physical therapy and athletic training at the Detroit Pistons Performance Center and helped Ella throughout the process, including providing stretching exercises during her recovery," Aubrey says.

“Ella always gave 100% to whatever she needed to do throughout the process, which made my job a little easier,” noted Meaghan. “The one-on-one skilled care she received in physical therapy and sports performance is so beneficial to recovery, especially for a high-level athlete like Ella. It was truly a team effort to get her stronger and ready to compete again.”

Ella’s primary physical therapist, Matt Sennott, completed the recommended therapy as part of her surgical recovery to regain strength, mobility and function. After consultation with Matt and Meaghan, Ella worked with Nick Parkinson, supervisor of Athletic Training at Henry Ford Health, to optimize her recovery and work on specific exercises to allow her to get back into a handstand so she could begin tumbling again.

Nick explains when Ella first came to Henry Ford Sports Performance it was clear that Matt's rehab program had provided a solid foundation.

“She picked up the exercises quickly, which allowed us to efficiently progress her towards the high level of activity required for cheerleading, he says. “Her hard work and determination to get back to the sport she loves were instrumental in her successful and, most importantly, safe return to cheerleading. We appreciate Ella's commitment and the faith that she and her mom showed in Meaghan, Matt and me. Their partnership was invaluable to her recovery.”

Ella’s hard work pays off with shining moment

With a comprehensive treatment and recovery program available through the Henry Ford Center Athletic Medicine and Detroit Pistons Performance Center, Ella not only recovered, she helped lead her team to new heights.

“Thanks to Meaghan who helped me throughout this process, I was so fortunate to have successful surgery and a great recovery with Matt as my amazing my physical therapist who provided me the activities I needed to get my shoulder motion back,” Ella notes. “Nick was the best athletic trainer. I always enjoyed working with him, even on those hard days when he pushed me so that I could achieve my best potential. The result is I was able to be on the mat every competition my senior year and ultimately help my team win Leagues, Districts, Regionals, and becoming the Division 2 State Champs!”

Meaghan adds there were days she was not sure if Ella would make her goal of competing at state finals her senior year, but she never gave up and persevered.

“She came off the mat after round 3 at the state finals with a huge smile on her face and tears of joy and we embraced each other, fully knowing she had reached her goal and helped her team reach theirs - I cannot think of a better moment for me as an athletic trainer.”

Have a sports injury? Visit henryford.com/sports and request an appointment with one of our sports medicine experts today.