For Blake Hamilton, 17, football is about brotherhood: sweating with teammates, celebrating wins together, and meeting new people. He puts his heart and soul into this sport in high school, in addition to running track and playing baseball.
When Blake injured his thumb during football practice in September 2023, the high school sophomore feared his season might be over. With aspirations to follow his father’s path of playing college and professional football, this injury threatened to derail those dreams.
Blake’s injury occurred during a routine seven-on-seven varsity drill when a teammate accidentally tackled him, causing his thumb to hyperextend. He tried to play through it but soon realized something was seriously wrong.
Blake’s mom took him to the ER, where initial X-rays didn’t indicate anything concerning. Nevertheless, his parents immediately decided to seek specialist care. Blake’s father, Brandon, knew exactly who to call: Courtney J. Amor, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at UT Physicians Orthopedics – Memorial Villages, whom he had met years before when Amor was doing his residency.
“As soon as he was injured, Dr. Amor was the first person I thought of because of his attention to detail,” Brandon said. “I entrusted my son to him for surgery.”
Understanding the injury
Amor saw Blake two days after he was injured when he was still experiencing quite a bit of pain and swelling in his thumb.
“His parents made the wise decision to seek evaluation with a specialist right away,” said Amor, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. “Routine X-rays will pick up fractures and dislocations, but they can miss important injuries to other hand structures, like ligaments and tendons.”
The diagnosis revealed a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in Blake’s dominant thumb. This is sometimes known as a skier’s thumb since it often occurs when skiers fall while holding ski poles. Blake’s case was particularly unusual due to the location of the tear. The majority of UCL tears involve the portion of the ligament that attaches to the phalanx bone. Blake’s MRI showed it was torn off the metacarpal bone on the other end, which Amor said is rare.
Taking in the reality
Blake was surprised by the magnitude of his injury.
“At first, I thought it was going to be a quick injury,” Blake said. “When they told me it was torn and a possible season-ending injury, I was a little anxious.”
As a father watching his son’s injury and a former football player who played at Tulane University, in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints, and for 10 years in the Canadian Football League, Brandon focused on maintaining family positivity.
“A lot of things go through your head as a parent,” Brandon said. “Is this it for the season? Is this going to be a setback for him with his goal of playing on the collegiate level?”
Moving into thumb surgery
Amor said complete tears like Blake’s often don’t heal without surgery. With elite athletes like Blake, Amor said they place a high priority on getting them back to the game as quickly as possible.
Four days after Blake’s injury, Amor reattached the ligament to the bone using a special suture anchor device. This internal brace helps reinforce and protect his ligament repair while it’s healing.
“The brace reduces the need for post-op immobilization, allows early motion, and reduces the risk of the repair failing,” Amor said. “All of these things help the athlete return to their sport sooner.”
Brandon is quick to praise Amor, not only for his skills but also for his bedside manner.
“He loves his patients and is the best teammate you can have,” Brandon said. “He wants to do whatever it takes to get you back where you want to be.”
Making a comeback
Blake’s remarkable return to football just two weeks after his thumb surgery exceeded typical recovery timelines. He worked on his thumb’s flexibility by stretching it to regain movement.
“This is an incredibly rapid return to play,” Amor said. “Most surgeons would advise a minimum of six weeks out from contact sports after this type of injury.”
Blake returned to practice by switching from wide receiver to defensive back with a protective brace on his hand. His determination paid off with incredible achievements: He caught two interceptions that season and earned all-district honors. Blake couldn’t believe all he accomplished, especially in his first year on varsity.
“It’s crazy because I started the season as a receiver, I get this injury, and think I’m done for the year,” Blake said. “All of a sudden, I’m catching interceptions, making tackles, and making plays. It’s a true blessing. I didn’t think I’d make it that far.”
The success story wasn’t just about precise surgical techniques. Amor calls Blake a uniquely talented athlete who continues to excel in multiple sports and has an amazing drive to get better every day.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes when his dad showed me a highlight reel of him making an interception, even with his thumb immobilized,” Amor said. “The surgical technique was adapted to suit Blake’s individual situation, but Blake’s talent and motivation were key to his ultimate success.”
Blake’s athletic achievements continued during his junior year in 2024. He led the state in interceptions with eight catches. He made all-state in both offensive and defensive positions, which is uncommon. Blake’s talent is already being recognized in the recruiting world with several offers from Division I colleges to play football.
“Dr. Amor is a miracle worker,” Blake said. “He’s greatly affected my future.”
Garnering family support
The support of Blake’s medical-savvy parents also played a crucial role. Despite both parents being busy professionals, Amor said they made time to be present at every office visit.
“They asked good questions and helped me reinforce with Blake what he needed to do to ensure the best possible outcome,” Amor said. “As a surgeon, I couldn’t ask for a more ideal patient and family.”
Brandon’s relationship with Amor spans years, which makes the success even more meaningful.
“God put Dr. Amor in my life a long time ago, and for this reason alone,” Brandon said. “He knew I was going to need him down the road. When Blake goes to the NFL, Dr. Amor will be right there in the stands.”
