Sports Medicine

Patient Stories | Michael's Story

Finding Trust, Clarity and a Safe Path Back to Sport

Michael has always loved sports. As a goalkeeper for his high school soccer team and a shortstop on the baseball team, he thrives on staying active, competing with friends and pushing himself to new heights. But during a preseason soccer scrimmage, one quick play changed the momentum of his season.

“I had the ball in my hands,” Michael said. “I was standing up, and a kid came in and just kicked me in the ribs as hard as he could.”

The pain was sharp, but Michael did what many athletes do—he tried to “tough it out.” For a few days, he kept practicing, diving mostly on his good side and hoping the soreness would fade. But the pain grew worse. Even breathing hurt.

That’s when his family headed to Cincinnati Children’s Division of Sports Medicine, where they met with Remzi Sipahi, MD, a provider they had never met before—but would soon grow to trust.

Building a Doctor-Patient Connection

From the very first visit, Michael and his mom, Melissa, felt something different about Dr. Sipahi’s approach.

“He’s very honest, very clear,” Melissa said. “He listens to Michael’s goals and takes our concerns seriously. You can tell he’s doing everything he can to keep Michael safe while also helping him get back to soccer as soon as possible.”

That trust mattered, especially when the initial X-ray didn’t explain why Michael was hurting so much. Rib fractures are notoriously hard to see on X-ray—especially in goalkeepers who take hits at awkward angles.

But instead of sending Michael home with an uncertain answer, Dr. Sipahi made another choice. He explained the benefits of using point-of-care ultrasound, a non-invasive diagnostic tool he is certified to use right in the exam room. It provides detailed images without radiation, and it often catches injuries an X-ray might miss.

Within minutes, the answer became clear.

“The ultrasound showed the break right away,” Melissa said. “We could even see it ourselves. It was such a relief to finally understand what was going on.”

That clear diagnosis helped set a safe recovery plan—and kept Michael from returning to sport too early.

A Doctor They Trust—Again and Again

That first visit in July 2024 wouldn’t be their last. Over the next year, Michael experienced a string of unrelated injuries: another rib fracture, two wrist injuries and even broken fingers. Each time they went to Cincinnati Children's, the family chose to return to Dr. Sipahi.

“We knew exactly who we wanted to see,” Melissa said. “[Dr. Sipahi] is just so accurate. And he’s relatable, kind and steady. He’s set himself apart.”

Over time, Michael learned how important accurate diagnosis and patience could be — especially when it came to returning to sport.

“If I had played that next week like my trainer thought, I probably would’ve made it worse and might have needed surgery,” Michael said. “Being able to get an accurate diagnosis helped me heal and recover.”

With every visit, Dr. Sipahi took the same careful, thorough approach. When X-rays were unclear, point-of-care ultrasound provided answers. When emotions ran high, especially after repeat injuries, Dr. Sipahi took the time to reassure Michael and explain what safe return-to-sport should look like.

“Athletes will often rest for a short period of time before jumping back in 100%,” he said. “But there can be serious risks of playing through an injury. This can lead to worsening of the current pain or result in a new and more serious injury. We always give a clear plan and monitor the return step-by-step so athletes can perform their best.”

That consistency—clear expectations, a safe plan and a doctor who remembers them—made Michael and his family feel supported every step of the way.

“When we walk in, he smiles and says, ‘Oh my gosh, what is going on?’” Melissa said. “He knows Michael, and he knows his story. We've been in there so many times.”

Care That Follows the Family—Wherever They Are

Because sports injuries rarely follow a schedule, Michael and his family have visited multiple Cincinnati Children’s neighborhood locations across the region, always choosing wherever they could get in with Dr. Sipahi.

One of the newest locations for the sports medicine team brings that same high-quality care even closer to home for many families. Cincinnati Children’s Sports Medicine services recently expanded to the new Eastgate location, offering on-site physical therapy, point-of-care ultrasound and convenient access to specialists.

“Eastgate helps us expand our reach into the community,” Dr. Sipahi said. “Everything we need to care for athletes is right there. It will make it easier for families to get the right diagnosis and treatment plan when they need it.”

Michael and his family haven’t needed the new clinic yet—something they hope continues as injuries slow down—but they’re glad it’s available for local athletes.

“We told him we hope we see him at an FC Cincinnati [soccer] game before we see him in an exam room again,” Melissa joked.

Today, Michael is preparing for the upcoming baseball season and looking forward to his senior year as varsity goalkeeper. Stronger, smarter and more aware of his body, he now faces the future with confidence and a solid return-to-play plan that has him ready for whatever the next season brings.

(Published December 2025)