Charly’s Road to Recovery
Charly’s Story
Charly Bruder is a Junior on the UNC Field Hockey Team. In the Spring of her Sophomore year, she tore her shoulder and had to get surgery. The doctor said she would be out for the upcoming season. However, with a quick and diligent recovery, she was cleared two games into that season. Charly shows she will do anything to play for Carolina, and her passion shows with her dedication to a speedy recovery. Coming back and getting named to the ACC team and All-American Honors, she has shown resiliency and is a unique athlete who is willing to do whatever it takes to get back.
The why
I chose to do this video on Charly because I have experienced and seen her drive for success day in and day out. Her love for the sport and the University is very apparent and shows through her recovery process. Watching her push through one of the toughest challenges of her athletic career made me want to share her story with the world. This documentary is not just about the surgery. It is about what it looks like when someone refuses to let an injury define them. It is about heart, patience, and the kind of dedication that does not stop just because life gets hard.
“It’s just a great atmosphere. You couldn’t ask for anything more when you’re on this campus.”- Charly Bruder
Recovery tips
Watching Charly go through shoulder labral repair surgery was tedious and long. I wanted anyone learning her story to really understand what she was up against. The OrthoVirginia article “What to Expect Following a Shoulder Labral Repair Surgery” explains the entire recovery process and aligns with everything we captured on camera. Healing takes many months, and the biggest thing is not rushing it or risking damage to the repair. The first four weeks, she was in a sling 24/7, no reaching, no lifting, basically minimal use of the arm at all, and needed assistance from other people. Which is why she went home and did her recovery there. From there, it’s a slow build back to normal movement, and after the 12-week mark, real strength training finally kicks in. All in all, full recovery takes four months or more, with physical therapy running the whole way through. The documentary shows what that actually looks like day-to-day: the hard days, the small wins, and everything in between.
OrthoVirginia Team. “What to Expect Following a Shoulder Labral Repair Surgery (SLAP, Bankart).” OrthoVirginia, www.orthovirginia.com/blog/what-to-expect-following-a-shoulder-labral-repair/. Accessed 1 May 2026.
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