Sylvia Shenk

Hi there dear Dr. Kelly,

I tore my left gluteus medias muscle on the tennis court just after retiring from teaching French/Director of School. If you look at my age, you might think, "So what?" I had been operated on by an orthopedist in Fairfax, VA, and the situation only became worse. He totally missed the actual injury and operated on a so-called bone spur. As a result, my gluteus medias muscle completely atrophied and was useless. Dr. Kelly was looking for someone under the age of 35 to do a muscle transfer from the gluteus maximus to support the medias muscle. This was a first, and had never been done. Dr. Kelly believed that it would work. I managed to convince him that I would do all the necessary hard work to get back on my feet. At that point, I was completely dependent upon a cane, could barely raise my left leg at all, and was headed for a wheelchair. I had always prided myself on being quite athletic, and needless to say, I was miserable about my injury. It literally ruled my life --- or should I say stole a good portion of it from me.

But, thanks to Dr. Kelly, I am now able to go anywhere I want to, which includes the gym and water aerobics approximately 4-5 days a week. I never use a cane at home, even for the stairs, but I do use it when going about. This includes Australia, New Zealand, London, China, South America, Holland, Russia, Estonia, Europe, and various national parks in the USA. Even today, the more I exercise and participate in physical therapy, the more I improve, get a sense of good balance, participate even in land aerobics to some degree, engage in all sorts of activities with my 8 grandchildren, and dance a bit with my very patient significant other. Life is GOOD, and I sincerely believe that I have Dr. Bryan Kelly to thank for my being back in the game. The loss of mobility is enormous, and I just love being good to go! Thank you, thank you, thank you, most talented, creative, caring surgeon and friend. You have given me a new lease on life. Thanks, too, to HSS where my treatment and stay were super, in all areas.