Skip to Content
800-533-8762
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Health Care Professionals
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
UPMC
  • Find a Doctor
  • Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
      Allergy & Immunology Behavioral & Mental Health Cancer Ear, Nose & Throat Endocrinology Gastroenterology Heart & Vascular Imaging Neurosciences Orthopaedics
      Physical Rehabilitation Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Primary Care Senior Services Sports Medicine Telemedicine Transplant Surgery Walk-In Care Weight Management Women’s Health
      See all Services
    • Services by Region
    • Find a UPMC health care facility close to you quickly by browsing by region.
      UPMC in Western Pa. Western Pa. and New York
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Services
  • Locations
    • Locations by Type
    • Locations by Type
      UPMC hospitals
      Hospitals
      Physical Therapy
      Physical Therapy
      Urgent care
      Walk-In Care
      UPMC Outpatient Centers
      Outpatient Centers
      UPMC Imaging Services
      Imaging
      Community Health Centers
      Community Health Centers
      See All Locations
    • Locations by Region
    • Locations by Region
      UPMC in Southwest Pa. Southwest Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Northwest Pa and Ny. Northwest Pa. & Western N.Y.
      UPMC in West Central Pa. West Central Pa.
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Locations
  • Patients & Visitors
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
      Patients and Visitors Resources Pay a Bill Classes & Events Medical Records Health Library Patient Information
      Patient Portals Privacy Information Shared Decision Making Traveling Patients Visitor Information
      Man uses mobile phone
      Pay a Bill
      Nurse reviews medical chart
      Request Medical Records
  • Patient Portals
  • Find Covid-19 updates
  • Schedule an appointment
  • Request medical records
  • Pay a bill
  • Learn about financial assistance
  • Find classes & events
  • Send a patient an eCard
  • Make a donation
  • Volunteer
  • Read HealthBeat blog
  • Explore UPMC Careers
Skip to Content
UPMC
  • Patient Portals
  • For Patients & Visitors
    • Find a Doctor
    • Locations
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Services
    • More
      • Medical Records
      • Financial Assistance
      • Classes & Events
      • HealthBeat Blog
      • Health Library
  • About UPMC
    • Why UPMC
    • Facts & Stats
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Community Commitment
    • More
      • Financials
      • Support UPMC
      • UPMC Apps
      • UPMC Enterprises
      • UPMC International
  • For Health Care Professionals
    • Physician Information
    • Resources
    • Education & Training
    • Departments
    • Credentialing
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Newsroom
  • UPMC >
  • Our Services >
  • Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine >
  • ... >
  • About Us >
  • Patient Stories >
  • Sports Medicine >
  • Physician Services >
  • Charlie Varriano
Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
About Us
Patient Stories
General Orthopaedics
Joint Replacement
Sports Medicine
ACL Program
Athletic Training
Concussion
Performance Services
Physician Services
Sports Nutrition
Orthopaedic Surgery
Your Care Team
Conditions We Treat
Our Services
For Patients
For Professionals & Students
Our Locations
Contact Us
Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
About Us
Patient Stories
General Orthopaedics
Joint Replacement
Sports Medicine
ACL Program
Athletic Training
Concussion
Performance Services
Physician Services
Sports Nutrition
Orthopaedic Surgery
Your Care Team
Conditions We Treat
Our Services
For Patients
For Professionals & Students
Our Locations
Contact Us

Chat Keywords List

  • cancel or exit: Stops your conversation
  • start over: Restarts your current scenario
  • help: Shows what this bot can do
  • terms: Shows terms of use and privacy statement
  • feedback: Give us feedback
Continue
Chat with UPMC
RESTART
MENU
CLOSE

Charlie’s Story: Getting Back to the Pitcher’s Mound After Elbow Surgery

The Path to UPMC

When Charlie complained of soreness and achiness in his right throwing elbow, his parents suspected something was wrong. The then 11-year-old star pitcher from Hempfield Township played through the pain, but as the innings and starts added up, it only got worse. He was often told to ice the elbow or give it a few days’ rest. But no matter what he tried, the pain and soreness returned.

Charlie’s parents, Kim and Patsy, were concerned about their son’s elbow discomfort and brought him in for an initial consultation with a primary care sports medicine physician at UPMC Sports Medicine. The doctor concluded that the pain was caused by overuse and referred the family to his UPMC Sports Medicine colleague, Volker Musahl, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon. Dr. Musahl diagnosed Charlie with osteochondritis dissecans, a joint disorder that affects mostly adolescents.

Dr. Musahl’s first course of action was to get a complete medical history, along with an MRI of Charlie’s elbow.

“He really explained everything easily and in terms we could understand,” says Patsy, Charlie’s father. “We felt very comfortable with Dr. Musahl.”

Repairing the Elbow

Dr. Musahl presented the family with two choices: they could either try to let Charlie’s elbow heal on its own over time, or surgically repair it. Dr. Musahl explained that the elbow would likely never have 100 percent strength if they let it heal on its own and might be more susceptible to re-injury in the future. With surgery, Charlie would have a better long-term outlook and would be able to enjoy pain-free baseball. After some research and consideration, they elected the surgery.

On Sept. 30, 2011, Charlie underwent elbow surgery. Dr. Musahl removed cartilage from Charlie’s knee, which he used to repair and fortify the elbow. After surgery, Charlie rested his elbow. Following his doctor’s orders, he didn’t move the arm for three weeks.

Then, eager to get back on the field, Charlie immediately began rehabilitation at UPMC Sports Medicine. He worked with his physical therapist three times a week, on a regimen of exercises, until he regained strength and mobility.

“Tara really made sure I was getting the conditioning and support I needed,” says Charlie. “She would give me exercises to work on at home, and gave me some tips on how to help avoid injury in the future.”

Back in the Game

In August 2012, Charlie returned to the baseball diamond. At first, he played different positions, such as outfielder or third baseman, which put less strain on his elbow but still allowed him to test it. But Charlie’s goal of returning to the mound and pitching again was realized in the spring of 2013.

Under the watchful eye of his coaches, parents, and doctors, he now follows a pitch count limit, gives his elbow enough rest, and performs his arm-strengthening exercises at home.

Charlie's summer was packed with games and travel tournaments, including playing in Florida for a competitive national youth team. But he is most grateful just to be able to live his life like a normal 13-year-old again.


“The bottom line is without UPMC Sports Medicine, none of this would be possible. Not just baseball, but activities in my everyday life. I can play with my little cousins, go fishing, play dodge ball, and just enjoy life again without pain.” — Charlie


His mother, Kim, echoes that sentiment.

“We’re so grateful to Dr. Musahl and Tara for helping Charlie get back to doing what he loves.”

And for Charlie and the experts at UPMC Sports Medicine, that was exactly the goal from the beginning.

UPMC
200 Lothrop Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412-647-8762 800-533-8762

Patients And Visitors
  • Find a Doctor
  • Locations
  • Pay a Bill
  • Patient & Visitor Resources
  • Disabilities Resource Center
  • Services
  • Medical Records
  • No Surprises Act
  • Price Transparency
  • Financial Assistance
  • Classes & Events
  • Health Library
Health Care Professionals
  • Physician Information
  • Resources
  • Education & Training
  • Departments
  • Credentialing
Newsroom
  • Newsroom Home
  • Inside Life Changing Medicine Blog
  • News Releases
About
  • Why UPMC
  • Facts & Stats
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Community Commitment
  • Financials
  • Supporting UPMC
  • HealthBeat Blog
  • UPMC Apps
  • UPMC Enterprises
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • UPMC International
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
Life changing is...
Follow UPMC
  • Contact Us
  • Website/Email Terms of Use
  • Medical Advice Disclaimer
  • Privacy Information
  • Active Privacy Alerts
  • Sitemap
© 2025 UPMC I Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences Supplemental content provided by Healthwise, Incorporated. To learn more, visit healthwise.org
Find Care
Providers
Video Visit
Portal Login