Constance Keim

After struggling with Achilles pain for years, I could play golf only once or twice a week using a golf cart. I could not walk a 1/2 mile without severe pain. The diagnosis was Haglund’s Syndrome with not enough healthy Achilles to salvage. Repurposing a tendon in my foot I did not need (flexor hallucis longus). HSS and Dr. Levine got me back on the golf course in under 4 months. Surgery at HSS was on November 30, 2021 and I was playing at the Cloister Sea Island on March 21, 2022. Now I’m 100% pain-free, playing golf 3 or 4 times a week and able to walk my home course regularly. The surgery and recovery were seamless. An Achilles reconstruction would require 8-10 weeks that are non-weight bearing. What is wonderful about my experience is that HSS and Dr. Levine defined the problem, explained the solution, and most importantly set the correct expectations. Having such a skilled surgeon was key. From first meeting to full recovery, HSS and Dr. Levine took excellent care of me. I’ve gotten my life back, and I am so grateful. Thank you!

March 25,2026:

The magic to living well in your later years and into retirement is fixing something if it hurts. HSS has patched me up more than once (Achilles rebuild; bone fusion) but the latest “fix” was a real breakthrough with Dr. Carlo Milani. Having a physiatrist looking at the total picture, he can recommend non-surgical treatments as well as point you in the right direction if surgery is necessary. In my case a long-term nagging back ache that interfered with golf, cycling, and even brisk walks was not my spine. Dr. Milani discovered a few small tears in a tendon connecting my glute to my hip.

Initially we focused on PT (glute/hip centric & core strengthening) to rehab the tears. After a few months it was clear that PT was not going to fix the tears but my core was now solid. Next we did PRP which some consider experimental, but I found to be spectacular. It is a in-office injection of your own platelets to the tear site. The improvement was fabulous and easily provided 85% pain relief. I was back on the golf course 1 or 2 times a week and enjoying my walks. Not satisfied with 85%, Dr. Milani suggested a one-time steroid injection that got me to 100% pain relief.

That was a year ago. Now I play golf 3 or 4 times per week almost year round and my stronger core has my drives sailing 30 yards farther. With these results, I am dedicated to my daily core & PT program that I can do at home. Thank you, Dr. Milani, for getting me Back in the Game.