VCU Health Orthopaedics helps Lunenburg County varsity athlete reach state championships
After years of hip pain, Mackenzie Bolling says she felt heard and supported by VCU Health’s sports medicine team.
October 12, 2026
Mackenzie Bolling was able to return to playing sports during her senior year of high school after having hip surgery with VCU Health orthopaedic surgeons. (Enterprise Marketing and Communications)
By Joan Tupponce
Agonizing. That’s how student athlete Mackenzie Bolling describes the hip pain she was experiencing during her sophomore year of high school.
At the time, Mackenzie was involved in volleyball as well as competition and sideline cheer. She ran track and was a majorette in the band at Lunenburg County Public High School.
The teen started physical therapy, hoping it would help, but nothing made her hip feel better. She worried that she would miss participating in the sports she loved.
Mackenzie needed an answer and reassurance.
She got both from Meghan Richardson, M.D., a VCU Health orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and hip arthroscopy.
“In the spring of her freshman year, Mackenzie started experiencing some pain in her hip. We kind of chalked it up to being new to track, and she just powered through,” said her mom, Anna Bolling.
But the pain got “exponentially worse,” said Mackenzie, now 18 and a freshman at Radford University.
Prior to scheduling an appointment with Richardson, Mackenzie had an MRI that revealed she had torn her labrum, the soft cartridge that covers the rim in her right hip.
Richardson talked with Mackenzie about surgery and recovery, explaining the entire process. After hearing the distress in Mackenzie’s voice at the chance of missing the rest of the spring track season, Richardson developed a treatment plan that let her try to finish the season.
Having someone that understood how important these years were to Mackenzie was so nice. Dr. Richardson worked with us and our physical therapist to get Mackenzie able to participate during her senior year.
Anna Bolling, parent of VCU Health patient Mackenzie Bolling
Mackenzie and her mom were impressed that Richardson listened to her concerns and worked with her to find a solution.
“Dr. Richardson was so aware of how devastating this was to Mackenzie as she was going to miss some big moments of high school,” Anna said. “That track season was so important to Mackenzie because the team was having an amazing year. Having the opportunity to compete at the state level with her teammates was priceless! We will forever be grateful to Dr. Richardson for helping make that happen for her.”
Richardson knows how important it is for student athletes to experience these moments with their teammates. Not only does she have an active lifestyle, but she’s served as a physician for a number of collegiate sports teams, including William & Mary Athletics. VCU Health is also the official health care partner of William & Mary.
“At VCU, we have a great team of physicians, surgeons, athletic trainers and physical therapists who are committed to providing comprehensive care to all of our sports medicine patients,” she said. “We work closely together to come up with the best treatment options available and then work with our patients to create a shared decision for how to move forward.”
VCU Health is known for its top-notch orthopaedics care. VCU Medical Center, the academic health system’s flagship hospital in downtown Richmond, was rated the best hospital in Virginia and in the top 50 nationwide for orthopaedics by U.S. News & World Report in 2026.
Minimally invasive surgery helps VCU Health patients get back on the field
Mackenzie had hip arthroscopy in the fall of her junior year. Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery which is done by making small incisions in the skin and using an arthroscope, which includes a camera and light, to help repair the hip. Most patients go home the same day after surgery; it’s less painful and they recover quicker too. One of the most common causes of labral hip tears for Richardson’s patients is femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), which is where the labrum gets pinched and torn over time due to the shape of the hip.
“Some patients have a deep hip socket or the ball of the ball and socket is not as round as it should be, and the extra bone causes the impingement,” Richardson said. “During the arthroscopy, we fix the labrum with stitches and shave down any extra bone so that we can remove the bony impingement that tore the labrum to begin with and hopefully prevent recurrence.”
Hip arthroscopies are common procedures for athletes of all ages, including older adults who play recreationally. They have become more prevalent because advancements in technology are helping surgeons to treat these joints more effectively.
“Seventy percent of patients will have a labral tear of the hip, but not everyone who has a labral tear is symptomatic from the tear,” Richardson said. “We generally do not treat asymptomatic tears, which are quite common. Research suggests that in patients above the age of 45, 70% or more people have labral tears but may not have any pain.”
Typically, symptomatic labral tears will present with deep groin pain in the front of the hip.
“Patients will often complain of pain with prolonged periods of sitting or athletic activity that involves flexion at the hip or internal rotation of the hip. Asymptomatic labral tears are quite common,” Richardson said. "Part of my job is helping to find out if a patient's labral tear is symptomatic to help make the best treatment recommendation.”
At VCU Health, we have a great team of physicians, surgeons, athletic trainers and physical therapists who are committed to providing comprehensive care to all of our sports medicine patients.
Meghan Richardson, M.D., a VCU Health orthopaedic surgeon
Typical recovery time for arthroscopic hip labral repair surgery is approximately six months.
“However, it is an active recovery, and physical therapy is essential to a good outcome,” Richardson said. “Physical therapy starts two to three days post op.”
Under Richardson’s care, patients use crutches for the first four weeks after the operation. Then, they begin to slowly put weight onto their leg and continue to work on strengthening and regaining range of motion.
“We generally start a return to jogging program around three months post-operation and aim for a full return to activities and sports at six months post-operation,” said Richardson, who works very closely with athletic trainers in the community and at the schools VCU Health provides medical services to, as well as physical therapists to ensure that pre- and post-operative rehabilitation care “is the best it can be.”
VCU Health Orthopaedics creates personalized care plans for athlete success
Mackenzie’s surgery went smoothly, and she and her mother were grateful for the care that Richardson and her team provided.
“They were amazing,” Anna said.
After Mackenzie returned home, she worked with a physical therapist for several months to get back in shape for the upcoming track season, but she started to experience pain in her left hip. A second MRI during the winter of 2024 showed a labrum tear.
“I had really, really wanted to run track my junior year. I was convinced I could do it even with my left hip hurting,” Mackenzie said.
The Bolling family at Mackenzie’s high school graduation. Mackenzie is now a freshman at Radford University. (Contributed photo)
Once again, she discussed different treatment options with Richardson. Mackenzie chose the route that included a steroid shot and continual guidance from her trusted orthopaedist.
Halfway through the season, the pain “caught up” with Mackenzie and she was “exhausted with pain.”
She was devastated.
“I had missed all my fall and winter sports and then could only do half of the track season,” Mackenzie said.
Mackenzie had her second hip arthroscopy surgery in June 2025.
“Dr. Richardson was so pleasant during it all,” Mackenzie said. “She really listened to me.”
Mackenzie’s mother voiced the same admiration for Richardson.
“Having someone that understood how important these years were to Mackenzie was so nice,” she said. “Dr. Richardson worked with us and our physical therapist to get Mackenzie able to participate during her senior year. “
After two surgeries and years of managing pain, Mackenzie’s senior year of high school was filled with major milestones. She went on to play varsity volleyball and competed at the Class 1/2 VHSL state level for both competition cheer and outdoor track.
From diagnosis through recovery, our team guides patients through every step of the way so they can get back to doing the things they love.
“Dr. Richardson, her staff, and our great physical therapist made that happen for Mackenzie!” Anna said.
With the support of VCU Health Orthopaedics, Mackenzie Bolling competed at state competitions for outdoor track her senior year of high school. (Contributed photo)
Hip surgery and recovery: What to know about hip arthroscopy surgery
What advancements have been made in orthopaedic surgery in recent years?
Today, orthopaedic surgery is more personalized and patient-centered than ever before. From joint replacements to ACL reconstruction, we’ve seen tremendous advances in surgical techniques, implants, pain management and recovery. At VCU Health, our surgeons use minimally invasive approaches, which results in less scarring, less pain and quicker recovery.
What is hip arthroscopy surgery?
Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery. The surgeon will make small incisions in the skin and use an arthroscope, a small instrument with a camera and light, and other specialized tools to help repair the hip. Hip arthroscopies have become more common because of advancements in technology, making the procedure safer and more effective than in the past. Smaller incisions lead to less tissue damage, resulting in reduced pain and infections and quicker recovery times.
What does recovery look like from hip arthroscopy surgery?
Total recovery time from hip arthroscopy surgery is about six months. Patients work with our physical therapists within days of their operations. It is an active recovery, so patients are jogging and moving early on throughout their recovery.
At VCU Health, we have a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to orthopaedic surgeries and use principles of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) to speed up patient recovery. Many of our surgeries are performed at the Adult Outpatient Surgery Center at Short Pump. Most patients go home on the same day as the procedure, and we aim to get them moving immediately after surgery.
Why should patients choose VCU Health Orthopaedics for their care?
With expertise in everything from traumatic injuries to joint replacements and sports medicine, VCU Health Orthopaedics provides the most comprehensive orthopaedic care in Virginia. What sets us apart is our individualized approach and excellent outcomes. We create individualized treatment plans based on your lifestyle, goals and expectations.
But don’t just take our word for it. In fact, U.S. News & World Report ranked VCU Health’s flagship hospital, VCU Medical Center, as the top hospital in Virginia and in the Top 50 in the nation for orthopaedics in its 2026-2027 Best Hospitals list. That same comprehensive care is available for patients at any of our 10 locations throughout Central Virginia.
