I am a professional athlete, and my sport is an equestrian discipline called dressage. I have been competing at international level up to the Olympics, representing the Dominican Republic, and back in 2018 I was preparing for the Central American and Caribbean Games, a regional championship to be held in Colombia during the summer.
During the early months of that year I began experiencing intense pain on my right shoulder, which gradually worsened until I was questioning my ability to participate in the Games. Fortunately I had very positive prior experiences with HSS, as my husband and son were prior patients. I contacted Laura Porcella de Mayol, HSS' ambassador for the Dominican Republic, who quickly coordinated a visit with Dr. Anne Kelly, the surgeon that had operated my husband a few years prior.
Dr. Kelly worked with Dr. Vladimir Kramskiy towards managing my pain and determining the correct diagnosis, which turned out to be a frozen shoulder as a result on some damage in my shoulder joint. They decided that for the moment the best option was non-invasive, and to try to recuperate functionality and range of motion in time for the summer event. I was able to participate in the Games, winning two individual gold medals and a team silver for my country.
My right shoulder stabilized eventually, but unfortunately my left shoulder began showing similar symptoms in 2020. As my next goal was the Tokyo Olympic Games, I continued consulting with Dr. Kelly and also with Dr. James Carr at HSS Florida, which is very close to where I compete during the winter. The work, advice and knowledge of Dr. Kelly and Dr. Carr allowed me to manage my condition and have a very successful participation at the Olympics.
My heartfelt thanks to HSS and its amazing doctors and staff, they have been a deciding factor in getting - and keeping me - Back in the Game!
All by Physician