Patient Story: Tyler Wall’s Road Back to the Game
Tyler Wall is the kind of student-athlete who gives everything his full effort. A straight-A student, quarterback for Madison Plains High School, and track athlete, Tyler balances school, sports, a part-time job, and time with family and friends. At 6’3” and 225 pounds, football isn’t just something he plays, it’s a major part of who he is.
Football has always been deeply personal for Tyler and his family. Longtime fans of Tim Tebow, Tyler grew up admiring his leadership, faith, and work ethic. Wearing number 15 on the field isn’t just a number for Tyler, it’s a tribute to his role model and a reminder of why he plays.
That’s why an injury during his sophomore football season felt especially devastating.
After missing his freshman season due to a concussion, Tyler returned determined and ready. But during a homecoming game, a hard hit to the knee changed everything. What adrenaline initially masked quickly became instability and pain. An emergency department visit led to a splint and crutches, and just hours later Tyler attended homecoming unsure of what the future held.
Further evaluation revealed the full picture: Tyler had torn both his ACL and MCL.
Tyler was referred to Children’s Hospital, a place widely trusted and never considered a backup or second choice for families facing serious injuries with their children. For the Wall family, it was a respected option, and one they took seriously. But during the waiting period, while Tyler remained in limbo, they continued to search for the very best path forward for his long-term health and athletic future.
That’s when they learned about Dr. Brian Cohen.
Children’s is never a plan b, but when Dr. Cohen became an option, he quickly became plan a. His experience with high-level athletes, advanced techniques, and clear, confident communication set him apart. For Tyler and his family, the decision wasn’t about settling for an alternative, it was about choosing the provider they trusted most to get Tyler safely back to the game he loves.
As any parent would, Tyler’s mom, Brandi Wall, acted quickly. She was given Dr. Cohen’s personal cell phone number, reached out with Tyler’s MRI information, and received a response almost immediately.
“He said, ‘I’d be happy to see him,’” Brandi recalled. “We were in the office the very next day.”
From that first appointment, the process felt different. Communication was clear. Questions were answered thoroughly. Nothing felt rushed. Dr. Cohen took the time to explain the injury, the technique, and the plan; making sure both Tyler and his family felt informed and confident. Surgery was scheduled quickly, and the entire experience, from pre-op to post-op, felt seamless.
After surgery, Dr. Cohen’s attentiveness didn’t stop. When Tyler experienced an issue with his incision site, Brandi reached out directly and received immediate guidance. When Tyler had concerning blood pressure readings and was taken to the emergency department, Dr. Cohen personally came down to check on him.
“He was just on it,” Brandi said. “It didn’t matter the time of day… What provider does that?”
Tyler progressed steadily through therapy and, when appropriate, was referred for more advanced and aggressive rehabilitation to support his goal of returning to football safely and confidently. By June 2025, less than a year after his injury, Tyler was back on the field. When he later tweaked his knee, Dr. Cohen saw him immediately, ordered imaging, and ensured everything was stable so Tyler could confidently finish his junior season with no limitations.
Today, Tyler is back to weightlifting, training hard, and preparing for what’s next, stronger, confident, and focused. Football remains his priority, and the possibility of losing it once felt overwhelming.
“The thought of him not being able to play would have been devastating,” Brandi shared. “I truly don’t know if he would have gotten back to football without going to Dr. Cohen.”
For the Wall family, trust came not only from surgical expertise, but from compassion, accessibility, and genuine care. “He took the time. He showed us pictures. He made sure we were comfortable every step of the way,” Brandi said. “We’ve referred family members, friends, and other players to him without hesitation.”
Grounded in faith and supported by family, friends, coaches, and the right medical team, Tyler’s story is one of resilience, teamwork, and the importance of choosing the right provider at the right time.
For Tyler Wall, having the right surgeon didn’t just mean healing, it meant getting back to the game he loves, wearing number 15, and moving forward with confidence.
