For more than two decades, Kim has been a dedicated member of Narragansett Boat Club, spending countless hours training and competing as a competitive rower. But during a trip to Amsterdam for an international regatta, a sudden accident threatened to end the sport she loved.
What followed was a remarkable recovery journey that highlights the expertise of Dr. Andrew Green, Chief of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery at University Orthopedics, and the determination that helped Kim return to competition.
A Devastating Injury Far From Home
Kim traveled to Amsterdam with fellow rowers to represent Narragansett Boat Club in competition. To get to a scheduled practice session, the team borrowed bicycles from the hotel.
Unfortunately, a wobble on an unfamiliar bike caused Kim to lose her balance and land directly on her elbow.
The injury was severe. Kim suffered multiple fractures around the elbow and a detached triceps tendon—an injury that would require specialized orthopedic care and surgery.
Despite the pain and uncertainty, Kim remained focused on supporting her teammates and making the best of an unexpected situation.
Connecting with an Elbow Specialist
While still in Amsterdam, Kim reached out to Dr. Andrew Green at University Orthopedics. After reviewing her X-rays remotely, Dr. Green quickly recognized the seriousness of the injury and arranged to see her as soon as she returned home.
“These injuries are typically treated surgically within a week,” explains Dr. Green. “When I saw the extent of Kim’s injury, we made sure to get her in quickly and take care of it.”
As Chief of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery at University Orthopedics, Dr. Green specializes in treating complex elbow injuries and helping patients return to the activities that matter most to them.
Surgery and a Recovery Plan
Following a thorough evaluation, Kim underwent surgery to repair the damage to her elbow and restore function to her arm.
During their early conversations, Dr. Green was honest about the challenges ahead. Recovery would require time, commitment, and hard work. While no guarantees could be made about restoring Kim’s full range of motion, Dr. Green believed Kim’s determination would play a significant role in her outcome.
For Kim, that was all the motivation she needed.
Her goal was clear: get back on the water.
The Importance of Physical Therapy
Recovery from complex elbow surgery extends far beyond the operating room.
Kim worked closely with the physical therapy team at University Orthopedics, where therapists collaborated directly with Dr. Green to ensure every stage of rehabilitation aligned with her surgical recovery.
This coordinated approach helped Kim steadily regain strength, mobility, and confidence.
“The entire team worked together,” Kim recalls. “I felt completely cared for throughout the process.”
At University Orthopedics, orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists regularly collaborate to create individualized rehabilitation plans that help patients achieve the best possible outcomes.
Returning to Competitive Rowing
After months of dedicated rehabilitation, Kim achieved a milestone she had been working toward since the day of her injury.
Exactly seven months after surgery, she returned to rowing.
She said the moment she got back on the water was one she will never forget.
But her story didn’t end there.
A year after the injury that occurred in Amsterdam, Kim returned to the same city to compete once again. This time, she and her teammates achieved an unforgettable victory, bringing home a win that made the journey even more meaningful.
A Patient Success Story Built on Teamwork and Determination
Kim’s experience demonstrates what’s possible when expert orthopedic care is combined with patient commitment and perseverance.
According to Dr. Green, successful outcomes are always a partnership.
“I have the easy part,” Dr. Green. “The patient is the one who has to put the hard work in.”
Surgeons can perform the procedure, but patients play a critical role in recovery through dedication to rehabilitation and follow-up care.
For Kim, the hard work paid off—not only in her return to rowing, but in the confidence and resilience she gained along the way.
Expert Arm and Elbow Care at University Orthopedics
Whether you’re a competitive athlete, weekend warrior, or someone dealing with a painful injury, specialized orthopedic care can make all the difference.
Dr. Andrew Green and the shoulder and elbow specialists at University Orthopedics provide advanced treatment for:
- Elbow fractures
- Tendon injuries
- Sports-related elbow injuries
- Triceps tendon tears
- Elbow instability
- Complex upper extremity injuries
- Post-traumatic elbow conditions
Through personalized treatment plans, advanced surgical techniques, and comprehensive rehabilitation, University Orthopedics helps patients return to the activities they love.
Schedule an Appointment
If you’re experiencing elbow pain or have suffered a sports injury, the specialists at University Orthopedics are here to help.
Contact University Orthopedics today to learn more about treatment options and begin your recovery journey.
About Dr. Andrew Green
Andrew Green, MD is the Chief of the Division of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery and a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery of the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Dr. Green is a fellowship-trained specialist in problems of the shoulder, elbow, and upper extremity. He is an internationally recognized expert in shoulder and elbow surgery and is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (www.ABOS.org) in Orthopaedic Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Orthopaedic Association, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, New England Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association. He has been recognized as a “Top Doctor” and is listed in the Guide to America’s Top Orthopedists, and Who’s Who in America.
Each year he evaluates more than one thousand new patients and performs over 400 arthroscopic, reconstructive, joint replacement, and trauma surgeries for a broad spectrum of shoulder and elbow disorders. Most commonly, he treats patients for rotator cuff disorders (impingement syndrome and tears), shoulder dislocations and instability, labral tears, arthritis, fractures, and sports injuries, using minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques and both standard and reverse total shoulder replacement. Dr. Green is an attending surgeon at Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, and a consultant at the Providence V.A. Medical Center.