ella-gaona

My name is Ella Gaona and I am a senior and Division I volleyball player at Wright State University. On January 28, 2026 I underwent a periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) combined with hip arthroscopy to treat hip dysplasia and a torn labrum. Seven months later I was back on the court competing with my team, which is something that once felt very hard to imagine.

Playing Through the Pain
About halfway through my junior season I was diagnosed with a torn labrum in my hip. I was told I would most likely need surgery after the season but that I could continue playing as long as I could tolerate the discomfort. I got a cortisone shot in my hip, but it didn’t relieve my pain. So, I just pushed through the rest of the season.

On December 4, 2025 our season ended with a loss to Purdue in the NCAA tournament. At this point I knew I had reached my limit. I remember thinking that I had pushed myself as far as I possibly could.

An Unexpected Diagnosis
The following week, my athletic trainer and I traveled to Columbus to meet with Dr. Ellis. During the visit I was told that in addition to the torn labrum, I also had hip dysplasia and would need a PAO.

After learning how intense the surgery was and how much recovery and downtime was ahead, I was very scared and went through a lot of emotional challenges. I was told I would have to go home and recover for the spring semester. At this point returning for my senior volleyball season didn’t seem realistic.

Yet, throughout this time of uncertainty, Dr. Ellis gave me peace of mind. He helped me feel confident that a full recovery was possible, even when I struggled to see it myself.

Recovery Process
I had surgery in Columbus on January 28, 2026 and spent three nights in the hospital. After I was discharged my parents and I stayed in a hotel for one night before traveling home to St. Louis, Missouri. I had an ice machine attached to my hip for the drive to help manage pain and discomfort.

Once we got home I moved into my parents’ bedroom because it’s on the main-floor and I couldn’t manage stairs at this time. I relied on a walker and wheelchair while the first several weeks were focused on rest, healing, and patience.

I began very light rehabilitation via zoom calls with Dr. Ellis’s physical therapist, Dave Kohlreiser, before returning to school in April. Once I returned to Wright State I continued my rehabilitation with my athletic trainer, Bri, while also staying in contact with Dr. Ellis’s office and physical therapy team. Throughout this process, Dr. Ellis and his team were always available to answer any questions or concerns my family and I had, which made a very meaningful difference.

On May 11, 2026 I had the screws removed from my hip. I then returned home for the summer and continued rehabilitation in St. Louis following the plan provided by Dr. Ellis’s team. I also traveled back to Wright State twice to work volleyball camps and continue working with my athletic trainer.

Returning to Volleyball
I returned to campus for good on July 19, 2026. Team practices began at the end of July, but I was still focused on rehabilitation and wasn’t participating in practice yet.

On August 26 I met with Dave and got cleared to begin scrimmaging. Two days later, on August 28, 2026 I entered our match against Santa Clara.

Exactly seven months after surgery, I was playing in a Division I volleyball match again.

Looking Back and Moving Forward
I am still continuing my rehabilitation, but being able to put on my uniform and compete alongside my teammates again was an incredible milestone. When I first learned I needed surgery, I never imagined I could return to competition within seven months.
I am grateful to Dr. Ellis and his team for their care, reassurance, and responsiveness, and to my family, physical therapists, and athletic trainer for helping me through each stage of recovery. This experience required patience and persistence, but returning to the sport I love has made that work worthwhile.