When Mackenzie Jordan started playing soccer, she was only four years old. She’s been playing competitive soccer year-round with the same club team, Wichita Warriors FC since age six. After this year, Jordan will make the move to the high school level. She also run cross-country, plays basketball and participates in track.
As active as she is, injuries are going to occur. The typical bumps and bruises are common, but when she started feeling pain in her knee, her mother Michelle and father Drew knew it was time to have it looked at.
“Her knee pain started off and on winter of 2019, but it didn’t start impacting sports or her soccer play until summer 2020, once it started effecting her soccer she wanted help and we were referred to APT,” said Michelle.
After some preliminary work by the APT staff, it was determined the forward was suffering from overuse of the knee.
“Therapists believed she was suffering from some overuse but more importantly instability in her knee, causing her knee to turn in and cause pain. It was recommended to attend therapy two-times per week to build up muscle strength to remove pain, stabilize her knee, and prevent a more serious knee injury. On top of therapy twice weekly, they also provided her with at home exercises which she completely daily and continues to do so even after successfully graduating in November,” said Michelle.
Mackenzie said, “Everyone was always very nice! They would explain what they were doing and why, it was helpful to understand the process, so I appreciated that.”
Upon “graduating” from APT, Jordan has continued to perform the exercises taught to her at APT and is ready to continue playing the sport she loves. Soon Jordan will finish up her eighth grade year and look towards making the varsity team as a freshman in high school. Her work ethic and determination to be on the field is a big reason this forward has a shot and having a great high school career. Look for Jordan and her teammates at Wichita Warriors FC as they continue competing on the club circuit.
