Orthopedic Patient Stories
From the Sidelines to the Starting Line
Newton student Owen Schackmann overcame a season-ending football injury with the help of SBL Orthopedics, paving his way to collegiate track and field.
When a complete ACL tear, a partial meniscus tear and an MCL sprain to his left knee sidelined Owen Schackmann for most of the football season during his senior year, the Newton native knew doubling down on physical rehabilitation would be key to his recovery.
Now a runner at Illinois Wesleyan University, Schackmann said, “I’m extremely excited to compete at this level and work with my new teammates and coaches. I’m grateful to everyone at Sarah Bush Lincoln that helped me.” He relied on support from SBL Orthopedics and Sports Medicine plus physical therapy staff to recover.
His problems started when he made a tackle in just the third game of the 2025 season. “After I came off the field when I hurt my knee, my dad and I both immediately asked if I would be okay for the track season,” Owen said. “Then we got the diagnosis and were given a nine-month estimation to return to activity. I was determined to get back quicker than that.”
“I felt like a terrible leader to the rest of the football team because I couldn’t be out there with them,” Owen remembered. “It was rough.” Yet, he did not let the loss of his senior football season dampen the rest of his year.
“Dr. Ajdinovich, Kendall and Kari were all great, and I couldn’t have recovered the way I did without their help.”
On October 7, 2025, SBL Orthopedic Surgeon Joseph Ajdinovich, MD, performed surgery to repair Owen’s knee. Three days later, Owen was crowned the Newton High School Homecoming King, and in the following weeks, he began his road to recovery.
“I did not want to also miss my senior track season, so I worked as hard as possible to recover and get back in time,” he said.
From October to March, Owen went to the SBL Bonutti Clinic once a week for physical therapy with SBL Physical Therapist Kendall Giles, and he also worked every day at the high school with SBL Athletic Trainer Kari Nohren.
Owen’s hard work paid off; in March, he began weight training and running again, and in April, six months after his surgery, he competed in a track and field competition. As part of the 4x800 relay team, he placed second in the conference meet, and he placed fifth in the 300m hurdles at the sectional meet.
“I had to work my tail off to get to that point, but I was happy that I did,” Owen said. “Dr. Ajdinovich, Kendall and Kari were all great, and I couldn’t have recovered the way I did without their help.”
Owen is majoring in kinesiology/exercise science and is enjoying his time on the track and field team.
To make an appointment or for more information about SBL Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Mattoon, call 217 238-3435. For the SBL Bonutti Clinic Orthopedics in Effingham, call 217 342-3400. You can call SBL Physical and Occupational Therapy at 217 258-2530.