Ankle Injury/Condition
Broken Wrist
Osteochondritis Dissecans
Finding My Place in Football
My name is Tristan Bell, and I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. I didn’t start playing football until my freshman year at Homewood High School.
Before football, I was in band and had tried basketball, but neither one really felt like the right fit for me. I wanted to be part of a team and get into a contact sport, so I decided to give football a try.
Once I joined the team, I felt like I fit right in - especially at 6' plus and 250 pounds.
I continued playing football throughout high school, which eventually led to the opportunity to play college football - something I'm incredibly thankful for. However, along the way, injuries affected my ability to compete at my best.
Dealing With My Ankle Injury
During my junior year of high school, I developed an osteochondral lesion - often called an OCD lesion - in my right ankle after being struck by a car.
Over time, my ankle became increasingly painful and eventually reached a point where something had to be done.
For two years, I was treated by Dr. Norman Waldrop, our team physician at Homewood High School. With Dr. Waldrop's guidance, we continued to treat the injury with conservative measures.
At the conclusion of my senior year in December of 2025, I had a post-season appointment with Dr. Waldrop. We discussed my transition from high school to college football and the best long-term solution for my college career and life after football.
At that point, Dr. Waldrop recommended surgery and discussed the benefits and risks with my family and me.
I was nervous going into the surgery, mainly because I didn’t know how long the recovery would take. One of my biggest concerns was whether I would 100% recover in time to begin my college career.
Taking Recovery Seriously
Physical therapy was an important part of my recovery. I learned really quickly that getting better wasn’t just about having a successful surgery. I also had to do what was being asked of me during rehab.
By April 2026, I was out of my boot and didn't have any complications from the surgery.
Looking back, I know there were times when I could have taken my recovery more seriously. My recovery took a little longer because I wasn't doing everything I needed to do.
If I had to give another athlete advice, it would be simple: take your recovery seriously and do what you're supposed to do.
My Andrews Experience
My ankle wasn't my only experience with Andrews Sports Medicine. I also saw Dr. Kathleen McKeon for a wrist injury and eventually had surgery on my wrist as well.
Surgery was not the first treatment option for either injury, and I initially hoped to continue with nonsurgical care. Ultimately, I decided to have the surgeries, and made full recoveries with no complications.
Going through two surgeries also gave me a chance to experience different parts of the process at Andrews Sports Medicine. From scheduling and phone calls to my pre-op and post-op appointments, everything was quick and easy with both surgeries.
My advice to another athlete in a similar situation would be to address an injury when it needs treatment instead of continuing to put it off.
Back to Competing at My Full Potential
Getting back on the football field after everything I had been through felt great. More than anything, it felt good knowing I could compete at my full potential again without my ankle or wrist holding me back.
Now, I've been able to take football to the next level. I'm currently a freshman at Doane University in Crete, Nebraska, where I play offensive line.
Looking Ahead
I'm majoring in mechanical engineering and hope to attend graduate school after college. I've been a big car guy all my life, so mechanical engineering is a field I've always been interested in studying.
Today, I’m back on the field, pursuing my education and competing at the college level. After everything I’ve been through, I don’t take that opportunity for granted.
With the support of Dr. Waldrop, Dr. McKeon and the Andrews Sports Medicine team, I’m healthy, confident and ready for whatever comes next.
