The Day Everything Changed
On March 8, 2024, Kristin clipped into her skis for what was supposed to be a beautiful day in Colorado. Instead, it became the day that changed her life. A traumatic fall resulted in a severe knee dislocation involving both the knee joint and patella. She was treated at the mountain base emergency room where physicians performed a reduction under conscious sedation and placed her in an immobilizer. Due to the severity of the injury, there was concern for compartment syndrome, and she was transported for advanced imaging to rule out vascular damage. Thankfully, no bleeding was found — but the structural damage was extensive.
Searching for Answers
Three days later, on March 11, Kristin flew home to Michigan and immediately contacted specialists at the University of Michigan. Imaging confirmed multiple ligament tears and complex structural damage. She was referred to a surgeon specializing in rare multi-ligament knee injuries and enrolled in a multi-site clinical trial studying surgical timing and rehabilitation protocols. She was randomized into the later surgical group (10–12 weeks post-injury) and into the early range-of-motion rehabilitation group after surgery — a decision that would prove critical.
The Work Begins — Before Surgery
March 19 — Kristin returned to Northern Michigan and began physical therapy at Northern Michigan Sports Medicine Center and met her team, Jeff Samyn, PT, Jim Leland, PT, and Lindsey Henley, AT. She committed to therapy multiple times per week, focusing on reducing swelling, maintaining muscle activation, and preparing her body for what was ahead. “Kristin was inspiration to patients and staff every time she entered the clinic. She knew she had a lot of work to do on her road to recovery, but I never saw a moment of ‘quit’ in her,” comments Jeff.
Surgery — And the Real Work Begins
On May 22, Kristin underwent full ACL and PCL reconstruction using cadaver grafts. Surgeons were able to preserve and repair more tissue than expected, avoiding additional grafting procedures. While surgery was successful, recovery would require relentless dedication and she sure showed up.
The Hardest Phase
Kristin began post-operative physical therapy on May 31, attending sessions two to three times per week. The early weeks were painful and slow. Swelling lingered. Muscles struggled to reawaken. Motion felt limited and stiff. Every degree of flexion required effort.
Then came the July 2 follow-up appointment. Her surgeon was concerned.
Her knee flexion measured only in the 20–30° range. At that point, he had expected at least 45°. Scar tissue was building. If significant improvement did not happen quickly, she would require another surgical procedure to break up adhesions — followed by a pain pump, daily therapy beginning 24 hours post-op, and six hours per day on a continuous passive motion machine.
“It was terrifying,” Kristin remembers. “I thought I was working hard. But after hearing that — I realized I had to push even more.” This was a turning point.
The Team Behind the Climb
Throughout this process, the team at Northern Michigan Sports Medicine became more than providers. They became partners in her recovery.
Jeff, Jim, and Lindsay each brought a different approach — different cues, different strategies, different strengths. That variety mattered.
Some days required firm encouragement. Some days required creative problem-solving. Some days required simply listening. “We are lucky to have many patients that lift the mood of the entire clinic during their appointments, and Kristin was definitely one of them. I always looked forward to working with her and challenging her to make it to the next recovery phase, “comments Jeff.
They adjusted programming when progress plateaued. They celebrated small gains. They refused to let discouragement take root. “Not only did she work hard at every appointment, but she also did her assigned home exercises with tenacity. That’s not easy when you have kids and a full-time job,” states Jeff.
Kristin was on crutches for five to six months. She wore a brace in some form for nearly ten months. Life continued around her — responsibilities, challenges, and personal stressors — all while navigating one of the most physically and emotionally demanding seasons of her life.
There were days she questioned whether she would ever return to the activity level she once enjoyed. There were days she feared she might never feel strong again. But week after week, session after session, the work continued.
By her six-month follow-up, she had reached 120° of flexion — exceeding her surgeon’s expectations. At her one-year appointment, strength testing revealed she could single-leg press her entire body weight for 20 repetitions.
She passed with flying colors. She wasn’t just healed. She was powerful. “When she saw other patients struggling that were very early in the post-surgery rehab process, she always had words of encouragement, a warm smile, and reassuring words to help them along,” added Jeff.
The Hill on Waukazoo Street
One of her most meaningful milestones happened on December 14. The sun was shining. Snow glittered across downtown Petoskey. Kristin walked up the large hill on Waukazoo Street — something that, months earlier, felt impossible.
When she reached the top, she stopped. She closed her eyes and let the sun warm her face. Tears streamed down.
“In the thick of my recovery, I truly believed I might never be able to do something like that again.” The hill wasn’t extraordinary. But what it represented was everything.
Milestones That Matter – 2,768 Steps
In November 2025, while visiting family in Colorado, Kristin faced an even bigger challenge: the Manitou Incline.
A 2,768-step climb. A 2,000-foot elevation gain. A 3.5-mile descent.
She was terrified. Not of the effort — but of reinjury. Of undoing everything she had worked so hard to rebuild. With encouragement from her family, she decided to try.
Step by step, she climbed. And she completed it in less than half the average time. At the top, surrounded by her dad, sister, and family friend, she felt overwhelming pride and gratitude. This wasn’t just a hike. It was proof. Proof of resilience. Proof of strength. Proof of what dedicated rehabilitation can make possible.
Stronger Than Before
Kristin describes her injury as life-changing — hard, humbling, and eye-opening. There were some of the lowest moments of her life woven into this journey.
But today, she says something remarkable: “I’m stronger than I’ve ever been.” Not just physically. Mentally. Emotionally. Gratefully.
She no longer takes movement for granted. She understands what it feels like to fear losing it — and what it takes to earn it back. And she knows her success is not hers alone.
“I truly could not have done this without Jeff, Jim, and Lindsay.” Recovery is rarely dramatic. It’s built quietly — in repetition, in persistence, in belief.
For Kristin, it was built one degree at a time. And eventually… 2,768 steps at a time.
