Back On Her Feet For What Mattered Most

A New Jersey native, 27-year-old Lauren was active in many sports when a volleyball injury left her with lingering knee pain. Initially diagnosed as a sprained MCL, she completed physical therapy and quickly returned to activity. But months later, after a fall while playing pickleball, the pain returned…this time worse than before.

An MRI revealed the full extent of the damage: a torn ACL, tears in both menisci, and a bone bruise. "I was upset," Lauren recalls. "I believe the original injury was more serious than we thought."

Looking for the right surgeon, she explored options in both New Jersey and New York. Her search ultimately led her to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gregg Cavalieri at White Plains Hospital.

Confidence at a Critical Time

At the time, Lauren was newly engaged and just a few months away from her wedding.

"From the beginning, Dr. Cavalieri made me feel comfortable," she says. "He was extremely knowledgeable and took the time to draw out exactly what was happening in my knee. As a visual learner, that really helped me understand both the injury and the surgery."

Dr. Cavalieri carefully explained her options, including the risks of delaying surgery if she continued playing sports. With an active honeymoon planned in Scotland, Lauren made the decision to move forward before her wedding.

"I wanted to be able to hike and fully enjoy that time," she says. "Doing the surgery when I did gave me that chance."

Her ACL was reconstructed using her patellar tendon. One meniscus was repaired, while the other has to be partially removed. The procedure was performed in a few hours, and she returned home later that afternoon. Recovery included six weeks on crutches followed by several months of physical therapy. "It was a commitment," Lauren says, "but I knew what to expect and felt supported the whole way."

Today, she has returned to normal daily life and recently marked one year since surgery. While she is easing back into higher-impact sports gradually, she feels strong and confident moving forward.

Lauren also credits the broader care team for her experience. "Dr. Cavalieri and his physician assistant, Danielle, were wonderful," she says. "They answered all of my questions — and my mom's many questions — giving us confidence every step of the way."

Most importantly, her surgery allowed her to have the wedding and honeymoon she had envisioned.

"I'm grateful I didn't wait," she says. "I was able to fully enjoy my wedding, travel, and start this next chapter without my knee holding me back."