The accident happened two blocks from their Aurora home. Only 10 minutes earlier, Ron had called to say he would be home shortly. Upon rushing to the accident site, Mrs. Kriebs felt her heart breaking. "I picked his shoe up off the street while the paramedics put him in the ambulance," she said.  

At a nearby hospital, physicians made the decision to transport Ron by helicopter to the level I trauma center at Loyola University Medical Center. The main damage was to Ron's pelvis. He suffered a fractured ilium on the left side and a dislocation of the symphysis pubis joint, which holds the two sides of the pelvis together in the front. The whole left side of his pelvis and leg were loose and disconnected from the backbone.   

Mrs. Kriebs was reassured to hear that Loyola University Health System (Loyola) has an orthopaedic surgeon whose expertise is pelvis injuries. Michael Stover, MD, has been at Loyola  for seven years, and is an assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation at Stritch School of Medicine. He is one of only a handful of orthopaedic surgeons in the Chicago area who specialize in treating pelvic fractures. After completing his residency in orthopaedic surgery, Dr. Stover completed a year-long fellowship training specifically on repairing "high-energy" pelvic injuries that result from car accidents or falls.   

Mrs. Kriebs recalled her conversation with Dr. Stover before surgery: "I told him, 'This kid lives for football. He's been playing since third grade. Will he be able to play again?' Dr. Stover looked at me and said, 'If he does everything we tell him to do, he'll play football.'"  

During the three-hour operation, Dr. Stover used a metal plate and screws (which will remain permanently in place) to repair the damage. "Since the fracture was isolated to the pelvis, and Ron did not have other bone fractures in combination, in the ankle or leg, for example, his chance for a complete recovery is good," Dr. Stover said.   

His youth and athleticism, not to mention his desire to return to full strength, also helped speed his recovery. After nine days in the hospital, Ron went home on crutches. On Nov. 10, one month after the accident, he returned to school. An honor roll student, Ron worked at home during his recovery to catch up on his school work and maintain his academic standing.  

Ron also worked hard to regain his physical prowess, with numerous visits to a physical therapist and a sports trainer, as well as periodic checkups with Dr. Stover. He tried to run track in May 2004 but could not keep up. In summer, though, he went to football camp. In fall, 10 months after his accident, he was playing freshman football - just as Dr. Stover had promised the day of Ron's surgery -  and was named as a team captain.  

Kriebs appreciated the "tremendous" work of the Loyola physicians and health professionals caring for Ron. "The Loyola physicians were all really gracious with Ron and did tremendous work," said Mrs. Kriebs. "I was so grateful."  

She showed her gratitude to supportive friends, family and caregivers at Loyola with a note that borrows from a familiar commercial. Under a picture of Ron in his football uniform, the note reads: "Price of medical bills after getting hit by a car: $XXX. Price of 12 visits to the physical therapist: $XX... Ron Nelson being able to play freshman football 10 months later: Priceless."   

For information about orthopaedics and rehabilitation or to make an appointment with a Loyola specialist, call (708) 216-8563.

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