Timmy Nguyen

In all the years of playing recreational sports and participating in various activities, I never had an injury. All of that came to an end in February 2020 when I suffered a shoulder injury from playing a team sport activity. At first, I tried to ignore it and hoped it would get better. When the pain progressed to the point that it was limiting my mobility and daily activities, I realized I had done some damage to my shoulder. After having my first shoulder surgery in March 2020, I started having complications with my shoulder in September 2020 that required further evaluation. It was a point in time when I was up late-night unable to sleep and a tremendous amount of pain in my shoulder. What was going through my head at the time was what am I going to do and who am I going to see to make sure I get back on the right path again. A lot of conversation was had with my family and the decision was made to see the best doctor in treating shoulder injuries at a first-class institution which was Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). When I had reached out to Dr. Nwachukwu's office, his office manager was incredibly helpful in understanding the issue I was having and worked quickly to get me an appointment on the calendar. She stayed in contact with me and rest assured me Dr. Nwachukwu will be able to help me. It was the most positive news I needed and a welcoming relief that I was headed to see the best doctor in the world. Dr. Nwachukwu and his team met with me to go through my case and I could feel how much they were invested in me as a patient and treated me as if I was the only patient there. I have never in my life felt so relieved to know there was a doctor who was not only able to provide an exceptional level of care, but was very compassionate and devoted to the work. I had a lot of questions, and he had a lot of answers. When I left Dr. Nwachukwu's office, he told me that he would get me back to living pain free and able to return to me to my desired lifestyle and activities. It was a turning point in my long road to recovery knowing the issue was being diagnosed, symptoms being addressed and solution was being provided.

In November 2020 after exhausting all options, the consensus was reached to move forward with my second shoulder surgery performed, this time by Dr. Nwachukwu. He outlined the goals for my operation and recovery. Nonetheless, the surgery was a success and it felt like 1,000 pounds was lifted off of me knowing I was headed in the right direction. I am forever grateful to my surgeon Dr. Nwachukwu, physician assistant Erin Paolini, medical team athletic trainer Jason DaMelio and the entire team that took care of me from the beginning to the end in the operating room.

Within a week, I started physical therapy at HSS Sports Rehabilitation and Performance – West Side under the care of physical therapy team of Joe Malizia and Sydney Fournier. Dr. Nwachukwu was already collaborating with Joe to lay the groundwork for a full recovery and rehabilitation plan for me. It was easy to say that after two weeks from the procedure, the difference in my shoulder was night and day with the mobility and strengthening exercises. Upon my return to Richmond, Virginia, I continued with my physical therapy at a local facility where I had two terrific physical therapists. They were constantly working with me 2-3 days a week to get me back to the highest level and implemented the exercises that were already established by HSS. Although I was back home in Virginia, Dr. Nwachkuwu and physician assistant Erin Paolini kept in touch every step of the way to ensure I was doing okay and kept close tabs of my progress.

All of this happened during the most unprecedented time in our lifetime with our country facing the COVID-19 pandemic. There was nothing that would have limited HSS and Dr. Nwachukwu from making sure patients like me had the resources and follow-up visits needed after my surgery. Dr. Nwachukwu had also established telehealth capabilities and it provided an alternative way for patients like myself from delay in care. 

With Dr. Nwachukwu’s guidance and plan, I am truly thankful I am able to receive the world-class care at HSS even in the midst of COVID-19. He has put me in the best possible position and I am happy to say I have fully recovered from my shoulder surgery with full range of motion. You can't get that answer anywhere else. There was no question in my mind that the HSS is the place to be and it is a place that will always hold very close to my heart. Because of Dr. Nwachukwu and HSS, I am better today and I am BACK IN THE GAME!