Caroline Kim

My journey began two years ago, when I started having pain in my neck, radiating down my arms and including numbness and tingling in my hands. I decided to seek help at HSS, given its reputation. Both surgeons I saw told me that surgery was not necessary at the time; however, Dr. Zelenty was the one who told me that he would stick with me until we figured out how to resolve my pain. I took nerve pain medication, did physical therapy and accupuncture and got an injection. Over time, I improved vastly.

Unfortunately, over a year later, the pain in my neck and outer extremities returned and escalated on a much greater level. My pain doctor ordered a cervical MRI, and compared to my previous one, it showed that moderate stenosis had turned severe with disc degeneration on multiple levels. I immediately knew whom to turn to: Dr. Zelenty. I was in a lot of pain, and he spent an hour with me, reviewing my options, answering my questions, and reassuring me. I agreed with his recommendation of ACDF surgery without hesitation. I had a lot of anxiety leading up to the procedure because surgery is serious business, but Dr. Zelenty responded quickly and thoroughly to every question I had, and I felt 100% ready the day of surgery.

When I woke up, I could immediately tell that the debilitating pain in my neck was gone. Prior to surgery, I could not even lift my bed pillows, nor put the hood of my winter coat on without feeling excruciating pain. Dr. Zelenty came to see me in the hospital first thing the following morning and told me that the surgery went well. I was so grateful for the care I received from him, the surgical team and the post-operative hospital care team at HSS. Dr. Zelenty let me know in advance that it was normal to have "pings and zings" after surgery, and he was right. And I appreciate that I have been educated by him over questions and concerns I have had during recovery on what is normal during healing. I got those pings and zings and know that the recovery process is not always linear, with some days where the pain gets worse but ultimately resolves. I learned that our nerves and muscles are "angry" from what our bodies went through during surgery, so it is important to not only follow the surgeon's orders (i.e., no BLT, going to check-up visits, physical therapy, etc.) but also to be kind and patient with ourselves, as no two patients' journeys are going to be identical during the recovery phase.

Dr. Zelenty is not only a technically-brilliant surgeon, but he is a genuinely caring, compassionate and responsive one. He is the gold standard of how all physicians should treat their patients. I cannot stress this enough.

I also need to shout out his office manager, Evenice. As Dr. Zelenty once said to me, she runs the show - and she does it effortlessly and efficiently. Evenice has been instrumental in helping me throughout the process, with scheduling, questions, work leave, insurance, etc. She is incredibly responsive, knowledgeable and withh such a friendly and positive demeanor. I never had to worry about a thing, thanks to Evenice.

I know this was a lot to read, but felt very strongly about sharing my journey that made a difference in my life, my well-being with those who are seeking the same level of care and commitment.