When you've spent your entire childhood hanging out in gyms, and you have a coach for a dad, it naturally stands to reason that you're going to be an athlete, right? Not quite, but close. You could become a sports physician.

Dr. Stephanie Martin says despite the fact that her dad had "no sons," she had an intense interest in sports and medicine.

"I started traveling full time with his team when I was in second grade; I didn't miss a game," recalls Dr. Martin. "I always knew I wanted to grow up and take care of athletes. I knew that."

In fact, Dr. Martin is one of only 10 physicians in the United States specializing in sports medicine and pediatric orthopaedics at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. How did she end up doing both?

"When I got into training I always expected that I'd go into sports. Then I did my pediatric rotation and I loved it. I absolutely loved going to the clinic ... I just played with the kids all day and it was really fun."

Dr. Martin says she knew early on that the combination would be a good choice. With the advent of so many peewee and adolescent sports, her practice keeps her very busy.

The majority of Dr. Martin's practice consists of young athletes with sprains, breaks and strains, but she also treats kids with developmental conditions. That's how she met John and James Shirah. She's been treating the twins since they were about a year old.

The procedure she performed on James involved cutting his thigh bone — the femur — and turning the hip ball back into the socket. It was a delicate operation, which she says she's performed since residency.

Dr. Martin says she hopes James does not have to undergo another surgery.

"We knew he had these problems several years ago, and if we had lengthened his heel cords or done his hamstrings as he grew, they would have just tightened up again. So he would have had to do it again. So your best opportunity to get length in these tight muscles is the first time around."

The prognosis for James is uncertain, but John, she says, is doing well and has a good chance at becoming a productive, independent person in adulthood.