Carlyn Salus

The saying that HSS gets you "back in the game" really holds true for me. I first experienced hip pain in the spring of 2012, when I was a freshman in high school. I had trouble flexing, running, standing, and even sitting, and for the longest time (for almost a half of a year) I was convinced by several different doctors that this was just a bad case of a pulled hip flexor. But in a last ditch effort after an alarmingly painful soccer practice, I was referred through my school to a very well known orthopedic doctor in North Jersey. He suggested it may be a torn hip labrum, which I had never heard of before. I was immediately referred to HSS and a week later I had an appointment with Doctor Kelly. I was then told that I would have to stop playing Varsity soccer, mid-season of my sophomore year. I had made Varsity team my freshman year and I was privileged to be recognized by my high school coach so early in my career. I then missed the second half of the season and was nervous and scared of the hardships I had to face in the near future. My experience of my first major surgery would have been very different if it was not for the hospitality of the staff at HSS. I felt much more comfortable then I ever expected to and my parents felt that their daughter was in great hands.

Fast forward 7 months later and I am finally able to get back to the place I belong, on the soccer field. But just as I was adjusting back into my life of competitive soccer, actually two weeks later, I had a feeling that was a little too recognizable for my liking. It was the horrible pain of my hip flexor again, but on my left side. After crying to my mom, we called HSS and they immediately changed my previous hip's "checkup appointment" to a consultation with Dr. Kelly. It felt like deja vu all over again. Luckily, I was able to land a surgery spot that had opened up because of a cancellation. The only downside that it was on the first day of my junior year. I then went ahead with my second surgery for a torn hip labrum, and luckily the rehabilitation was less intense and faster.

One year later and I am now officially committed to play Division II soccer at Caldwell University in the fall of 2015. I never imagined myself on the soccer field again, let alone being a collegiate athlete, and pursuing a career in Nursing. I owe it all to Dr. Kelly and HSS and wish there was more ways to show my appreciation.