Hip Care at Gillette Helps Illyana Become a Stronger Softball Player

Illyana Shepard is a strong, focused 15-year-old who plays multiple sports and has been clocked pitching a softball at 66 miles per hour. She’s determined to play NCAA Division I softball on an elite college team and was not about to let back and hip pain change her dream. 

When Illyana was 12, she began to feel pain in her back and hips. That prompted her mother, Jennifer, to schedule an appointment with Gillette Children’s pediatric orthopedic spine surgeon Walter Truong, MD. 

“Dr. Truong diagnosed Illyana with a stress fracture in her lower back, and he thought something also looked off with her hips,” Jennifer recalls. “He ordered additional imaging and tests, and that’s when we got a diagnosis of hip dysplasia.”

Dr. Truong recommended Illyana see his colleague, Gillette pediatric orthopedic surgeon and hip preservation specialist Alison Dittmer, MD, to get some relief from her hip issues.

“Right away, I really liked Dr. Dittmer’s approach and the way she spoke directly to me about my hip issues. Initially, I was really surprised and worried about my hip dysplasia diagnosis, and I was concerned about how it could affect my softball and pitching,” Illyana says. “Dr. Dittmer made me feel comfortable and talked to me about all the treatment options.” 

After a year of monitoring Illyana’s acetabular dysplasia, Dr. Dittmer and Illyana agreed surgical intervention was the best next step. 

“We’re grateful the team at Gillette recognized how important Illyana’s softball career is, and they worked with us to pick a surgery and recovery time that would not interfere with college and team recruiting, and have a minimal impact on her time off the softball field,” Jennifer says.

Illyana’s surgery with Dr. Dittmer took about four hours, and Jennifer was grateful for the updates during the procedure and for the wonderful post-op care. 

“I don’t think the nurses at Gillette could have smothered Illyana with more love,” Jennifer says with a laugh. 

“They took such good care of me,” Illyana recalls. “I would like to provide that care for other patients, so I’m looking at colleges that have a great softball team and a nurse anesthetist program.”

This summer, Illyana played for the Minnesota Royals and this fall, made the Minnesota Moose national team, which is a top program in the region that competes nationally. 

“After her surgery, we noticed Illyana’s pitching mechanics were better,” Jennifer says. “That’s because her hips were not wiggling and were in better alignment.” 

“I feel stronger as a pitcher,” Illyana says. “My body just feels stronger overall, and I’m happy I had the surgery and have a great care team at Gillette.”