Orthopedic Trauma Care at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital Offers Hope and Healing for Pair of Katy Siblings

When Kathy Grafe of Katy, Texas, reflects on the past few years, the one word that comes to mind is “grateful.”

Her children, Alyssa and Jared, both experienced life-changing accidents just months apart, events that could have led to vastly different outcomes without access to specialized pediatric orthopedic care.

As part of the Pediatric Orthopedics Program at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, affiliated with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, pediatric orthopedic specialists work as part of a highly coordinated, multidisciplinary team. This team combines advanced surgical techniques, pediatric trauma specialty care and rehabilitation services to help children heal, regain mobility and return to the activities they love.

For the Grafe family, that collaborative approach made all the difference.

Alyssa: From Scooter Accident to Thriving Athlete

In November 2019, Alyssa, who was in kindergarten at the time, loved the thrill of adventure. She bravely hopped on her scooter and attempted a jump, which resulted in a broken right femur, the longest and strongest bone in the body.

Alyssa was first taken to Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital, where her care team immediately engaged the affiliated pediatric orthopedic specialists who serve patients at both Memorial Hermann Katy and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. Because of the hospital’s integrated system of care, Alyssa was quickly evaluated by pediatric specialists with experience treating complex fractures in growing children.

Her care team determined that surgery was necessary, so she was transported to Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and placed under the care of Lindsay Crawford, MD, an associate professor of Orthopedic Surgery at UTHealth Houston and a pediatric orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.

“We were so impressed by how they cared for Alyssa,” said Kathy. “The experience was scary and overwhelming, but Dr. Crawford and her team put us at ease.”

“When treating fractures in young children, our goal is not just healing the bone, but protecting future growth and restoring full function,” said Dr. Crawford. “That requires careful planning, specialized surgical techniques and close follow-up, all of which are core to pediatric orthopedic care.”

The same night as her accident, Alyssa had surgery to stabilize her femur, with hardware to support healing. She recovered remarkably well and was home the next day. A year later, the hardware was removed, and she was officially released from follow-up care.

Now 11 years old, Alyssa is a thriving preteen who excels at soccer, volleyball and gymnastics and attends Garland McMeans Junior High School in Katy.

“She shows no sign of limitation because of her injury. Seeing her active again and in her element, brings us immense joy,” said Kathy.

Jared: From Devastating Farm Accident to Full Recovery

After putting Alyssa’s accident in the rear-view mirror, the Grafe family faced an even greater test of resiliency and strength.

In May 2020, just six months after Alyssa’s accident, Jared, then age 14, was helping his family on their farm in Shiner, Texas. In an instant, his jeans got caught in an auger, a tool used to drill holes for fencing. His leg was nearly torn apart.

He was immediately airlifted by Memorial Hermann Life Flight® to Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, where a Level I pediatric trauma team is available around the clock to treat the most severe and complex injuries. Led by Jessica Traver, MD, assistant professor of Orthopedic Surgery at UTHealth Houston and a pediatric orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, the team had one clear goal: to save his leg despite the severity of his injuries.

“Dr. Traver took Jared to surgery that night and worked tirelessly,” said Kathy. “The care team was honest with us, but at the same time, confident every step of the way. From Alyssa’s experience, we knew we were in the best possible hands.”

Dr. Crawford and her team also rounded when Dr. Traver wasn’t available, providing continuity of care and reassurance. “This is what we do here. This is what we are trained to do,” they told the family.

Jared’s situation was far more complicated than Alyssa’s. During his month-long hospital stay, he underwent 10 surgeries, including one that lasted nine hours, during which surgeons took a skin graft from his thighs to cover his lower leg.

Through it all, the doctors and nurses provided not only excellent medical care but also compassion and reassurance during an isolating time at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was tough for only one parent to be with Jared,” said Kathy. “Sometimes, my husband would sit in his car and I would text him updates. But the nurses found ways to help us stay connected. They truly went above and beyond to care for Jared and us.”

Unlike his sister, Jared’s recovery was long and grueling. He required extensive rehabilitation at Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation in Katy, under the guidance of Dr. Traver.

Step by step, Jared regained his strength, first using a wheelchair, then a walker and eventually walking on his own again.

A starter on the football team at James E. Taylor High School, Jared remarkably returned to the field in his junior year playing as a wide receiver.

Today, Jared is studying petroleum engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, where he plays a variety of intramural sports and leads an active campus life.

Holding back tears, Kathy said that Jared went from almost losing one of his legs to becoming one of the strongest and most resilient people they’ve ever known. “We are grateful beyond measure to Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital for making that possible,” she said.

Grateful to Be Focused on the Future

With both ordeals behind them, the Grafes are focused on the future, staying in touch with the doctors who cared for their children and sharing their story as a reminder of faith, perseverance and the difference exceptional pediatric orthopedic care can make.

“The team at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital became a part of our family’s story. They didn’t just heal our kids; they gave us hope when we needed it the most,” said Kathy.

Learn more about the Pediatric Orthopedics Program at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital »