Phyllis Robinson is not just a runner—she’s a marathoner, and an extraordinary one at that. After completing a marathon in every U.S. state and qualifying for the Boston Marathon seven times, Phyllis had her sights set on two major goals: running the Pikes Peak Marathon in September 2023 and completing her 100th marathon in Athens, Greece, later that year. But in August 2023, an unexpected injury threatened everything she had worked for.
While training for Pikes Peak and Athens, Phyllis decided to take on a new challenge: wave-boarding. On August 19, after an ambitious week of training, Phyllis’s day on the water took a turn for the worse. The board went one way, and she went the other, suffering what she describes as “the most excruciating pain I have ever felt in my life.” Despite her injury, Phyllis, ever determined, waited several days to see if her condition would improve. But by Monday morning, it was clear that this was no minor issue.
After reaching out to her friend Dr. Joshi for advice, she was referred to Dr. Jamie Lynch at TruOrtho. “I knew this was serious, but I was hoping for the best,” Phyllis recalls. However, Dr. Lynch’s urgency quickly made it clear just how critical the situation was. After assessing Phyllis, Dr. Lynch diagnosed her with a complete tear of her femoral tendon from the ischial tuberosity (the "sitting bone" of the pelvis). Surgery was not just an option—it was necessary. And it needed to happen immediately in order to restore normal function in the leg.
“Dr. Lynch didn’t really give me an option,” Phyllis shares. “She told me how important it was to have the surgery if I wanted to get back to running.”
Support and Strength: A Family Affair
Throughout the recovery process, Phyllis’s daughter, Alyssa, played a vital role in her healing journey. “Alyssa was my rock. She came over every day to help me with daily activities and offered mental and emotional support,” Phyllis shares. “Her presence made all the difference.”
Preparing for Surgery: A Marathoner’s Biggest Challenge
As a healthcare professional and an accomplished athlete, Phyllis understood the gravity of the situation. But nothing prepared her for the emotional weight of realizing she might not meet her running goals. “All my training felt wasted,” she says. “I had been so close to running my 100th marathon in Athens, and now everything was on hold.”
Dr. Lynch cleared her schedule for an immediate surgery on August 25, just days after Phyllis’s diagnosis. The surgery was a success, but the road to recovery was only beginning.
The Mental and Physical Toll of Recovery
For Phyllis, recovery wasn’t just about healing physically—it was about coming to terms with the fact that her marathon goals would have to wait. “I’ve run through so many challenges in life, but this was different,” she says. “Running defines me. It’s my therapy. Not being able to run left me feeling isolated.”
Dr. Lynch understood the significance of running in Phyllis’s life and worked closely with her throughout the rehabilitation process. She collaborated with Phyllis’s running coach, physical therapist, and chiropractor to create a tailored plan that would ensure a safe recovery. “Dr. Lynch was very involved with my entire care team,” Phyllis says. “She knew how important it was for me to get back to running, but she also kept me grounded in reality.”
Though progress was slow, Phyllis remained determined. "The slow recovery was more mentally exhausting than a marathon," she admits. “I wanted to do more, push harder, but Dr. Lynch kept me on track.”
Back on the Run: Reaching New Milestones
Six months after surgery, Dr. Lynch gave Phyllis the green light to start running again. The process was gradual, beginning with intervals of running for one minute and walking for one minute. “It was hard to go so slow, but I trusted the process,” she says. Slowly but surely, Phyllis rebuilt her strength.
In September 2024, just over a year after her injury, Phyllis crossed the finish line at the Pikes Peak Marathon, one of the toughest races in the US. It was a moment of triumph she shared with Dr. Lynch, sending her a photo from the finish line. "I’m not quite where I was before the injury, but I’m running again. And that’s what matters," Phyllis says.
Her ultimate goal? To complete her 100th marathon in Athens, where it all began for her.
Advice for Others: The Importance of Teamwork and Expert Care
Phyllis's journey underscores the importance of personalized care and a strong support. She encourages anyone facing a similar injury not to hesitate: " I highly recommend to anyone that suffers an injury like mine to have the surgery. Dr. Lynch is very thorogh and an amazing surgeon. Most importantly she is compassionate and honestly wants her patients to have the best outcome."
Phyllis's story is a powerful reminder that healing is not just about the surgery itself but about having a dedicated team to support you. Thanks to Dr. Lynch and her team at TruOrtho, Phyllis was able to reclaim her passion for running and return. For anyone in need of expert orthopaedic care, TruOrtho is here to help you on your own journey to recovery, visit TruOrtho to set up an appointment or contact us today at 210-878-4116.
Comments