When you’re the youngest of three competitive brothers, sports are more than a pastime — they’re a way of life.
For 10-year-old Hudson Davis, sports like football and basketball are his passion, and he’s always eager to compete. But a football injury just two days before his first tackle game sidelined him unexpectedly and set him on a path of resilience, teamwork and exceptional care with Our Lady of Lourdes Health.
A Sudden Fall, a Serious Injury
During football practice last September, Hudson was backpedaling to catch a pass when he tripped over a helmet left on the field. His attempt to break his fall resulted in a painful break — both bones in his wrist were fractured.
Hudson’s dad, Danny, was at the practice but didn’t see the fall. By the time he got to Hudson, the coach had already crafted a makeshift splint.
“It was clear his wrist was broken,” says Elizabeth, Hudson’s mom. “We knew we needed expert care immediately.”
From Scott ER to Expert Orthopedic Care
The family brought Hudson to Our Lady of Lourdes Emergency Center in Scott, where the team quickly stabilized his injury.
“The team at Scott ER was amazing,” Elizabeth says. “They made sure Hudson was comfortable and explained everything to us.”
When it became clear that Hudson would need a procedure to reset the bones, the team arranged for a seamless ambulance transport to Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital.
“Having access to high-quality pediatric care right here made all the difference,” Elizabeth says. “With three kids in school and sports, it would’ve been so inconvenient to travel far. We felt lucky to have everything we needed close to home.”
A Positive Connection with Dr. Gutheil
The next morning, Hudson met with James Gutheil, MD, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, who immediately put him at ease by talking about football and sports.
“Hudson really likes him,” Elizabeth says. “We felt so comfortable knowing an orthopedic expert was handling his care.”
The procedure was a success, and follow-up X-rays confirmed that Hudson’s wrist was healing perfectly. After a few weeks in a cast, Hudson was ready to tackle the next sport on his list — basketball.
Back on the Court
By Halloween, Hudson was cast-free and back to being his active, energetic self. Though he missed his football season, he’s now gearing up for basketball and looking forward to spring flag football.
“He’s fully recovered and doing great,” Elizabeth said. “Sports are his passion, and he’s excited to be back.”
Lessons in Resilience
For the Davis family, this experience reinforced the importance of quick action and expert care.
“If you’re a Davis boy, you’re bound to have an injury at some point,” Elizabeth jokes. “But we’ve learned not to take any chances. Getting to the ER and making sure the injury is properly treated is so important.”
A Bright Future
Hudson and his family’s experience is a testament to resilience, expert care and the importance of having high-quality pediatric services close to home.
With the support of his family and the exceptional team at Our Lady of Lourdes, Hudson is back to doing what he loves most — competing, growing and thriving.
