Avid Cyclist Finds His Spin Again After Hip Surgery
MyMichigan System Vice President, avid cyclist, orthopedic patient, husband, father
“I would recommend Dr. Krebs and his team to anyone. He’s an orthopedic surgeon who builds a true partnership with his patients. So thankful he gave me back my active lifestyle.”
Dan Scheffer, 52, is an avid cyclist who loves training and riding long distances. Unfortunately, a hip injury last year forced him to hit the brakes. Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Surgeon Nathan Krebs, D.O., who operates at MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw, evaluated Dan’s injury. An MRI revealed a fracture and labral tear in his right hip. Surgical intervention was needed in two stages: repair the bone, then address the tear.
Dan works as the system vice president for support services at MyMichigan Health and holds a master’s degree in physical therapy. Because of his background in physical therapy, he happens to know Dr. Krebs, and he understands how the body works and heals. Experiencing care from the patient perspective, however, gave him a new appreciation for his own organization. He was extremely impressed with the care and treatment he received and feels confident about his upcoming procedure.
“I have been cycling for many decades and have covered a lot of miles without serious injury,” Dan shared. “Every year, I participate in Bike MS which is a fundraiser for multiple sclerosis. I had been training in the gym for it, but I overdid it.”
Dr. Krebs, who has specialized training in sports medicine, met with Dan to review his imaging results and discuss treatment options. Together, they outlined a plan of care.
“Dr. Krebs took time to carefully explain everything to me, including the reasoning behind his recommendations which is important to me as a former clinician,” said Dan. “My goal was returning to cycling and lifting weights without having any functional limitations. He made sure I understood all the options, and his passion for his work was evident in our discussions.”
The agreed-upon approach was to address the fracture without a total hip replacement, then allow it to heal before repairing the labral tear. In April 2025, Dr. Krebs performed an internal fixation, a surgical method used to stabilize severe, displaced or complex fractures using metal implants. For Dan, it required a plate with five screws; he keeps an X-ray image of this new “hardware” on his phone.
Once cleared for physical therapy, he attended sessions twice per week to begin rebuilding his strength. “I worked with Chad Neal, P.T., D.P.T., O.C.S., for my physical therapy. He was great at helping me work toward my goals while making sure I didn’t overdo it, which is a tendency of mine. I followed his guidelines and completed the home exercises he prescribed.”
By August, Dan was ready to ride with his team in the MS 150 Bike ride event. Typically, he would ride 200 miles in the two-day event. This time, he limited himself to 27 miles per day while he continued healing. His goal for the fundraiser this summer is 60-75 miles each day. In September, Dr. Krebs will repair the labral tear, and Dan will repeat the post-operative cycle.
“I would recommend Dr. Krebs and his team to anyone,” Dan said. “His office always ran smoothly and on time. He’s a surgeon who builds a true partnership with his patients, including me; he is giving me back my active lifestyle. I have every confidence that my upcoming procedure will be equally successful. It’s reassuring to know firsthand what expert and excellent care MyMichigan provides to our communities.”
Those who would like additional information about the comprehensive musculoskeletal care offered at MyMichigan Orthopedic and Sports Medicine in Saginaw may visit www.mymichigan.org/saginawmsk. Additional information about MyMichigan’s specialized physical and occupational therapy can be found at www.mymichigan.org/rehab.
