A Medical Mystery That Became a Medical Blessing
2/24/2026
Olivia Recovers From Congenital Knee Condition With Help from Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Brandon Grooms, M.D.
Olivia – who is 19 years old, lifting hay bales at work every day, and pursuing a professional rodeo career – knows she has an active life ahead of her.
She’s always been athletic. That’s why, six months ago, when Olivia noticed recurring knee pain, she chalked it up to “growing pains” – and to years of participation in gymnastics, track, softball and volleyball. But when she started slowing down more and more, she started researching the best orthopedic surgeons in Arizona – which led her to Brandon Grooms, M.D., at Northwest Bone & Joint at Houghton.
Olivia, who lives in Benson, says the 45 to 60 minute drive to work with Dr. Grooms on a diagnosis and treatment plan was more than worth it.
“Whatever was causing the pain put me in a spot where I was thinking, ‘Can I have the future I want, or do I need an office job?’" she says. “My MRI looked normal, but Dr. Grooms didn’t give up. It was try, try again with him. It’s not a lot of doctors who have those great instincts – although you hope they do. I was nervous, especially about having anesthesia, but Dr. Grooms has a wonderful spirit and lightened up the situation while still being informative.”
In the end, Olivia’s problem was both rare and easily treated. She had a bipartite patella, a congenital condition in which the kneecap doesn’t fuse properly into one bone during fetal development. Most people who have it aren’t aware until sports, overuse or trauma triggers painful symptoms – and it can be a puzzle because doesn’t usually show up on an MRI. Young people like Olivia who have this condition often assume the pain is a normal part of growing up and being physically active – and older people may assume it’s simply a part of aging.
But bipartite patella is completely treatable with a 45-minute arthroscopic procedure during which the bone, tendons and ligaments are put back together and aligned correctly. Olivia had that surgery in January, went back to work full-time 10 days later, and describes the scar as looking like two little bee stings.
“It’s hard to tell I ever had surgery,” she says, “and my knee feels differently than it ever did before. It was a medical mystery that become a medical blessing.”
She adds that she’s “all-around impressed” with the providers at Northwest Medical Center Houghton, in addition to Dr. Grooms.
“Leroy, the MRI tech, was right there to calm ne down when I was nervous, and my anesthesia and surgical teams were also amazing,” she says. “I recommend NMC Houghton for people with orthopedic problems – it’s a hospital I’ll continue to go to as long as I’m in the southern Arizona area.”
Congratulations to Olivia on being able to pursue her career dreams, pain-free – and thanks to Dr. Grooms and the entire team at NMC Houghton!
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