TESTIMONIALS
Shoulder Tear – Orthopedic & Shoulder Center: Ryan Hamilton, Strongman
Ryan Hamilton is a competitive strongman, a sport that carries significant risk for injury. The difference is that you’re moving really odd implements like stones, log press, got to be a little crazy to do this kind of stuff. And that risk led to a tear in his shoulder. I started actually doing log press that day. I mean I got the log overhead and something just popped and I could just feel the entire shoulder kind of disconnect and then fall down there, and I had no strength, I couldn’t lift my arm up. I was concerned, am I going to be able to get back to lifting, am I going to be able to ever do this again. Ryan immediately sought help with his trusted orthopedist, Dr. Lawrence Li. He knew it was a serious injury right away because he couldn’t move his shoulder. After his surgery, Ryan completed his rehab much quicker than normal. He got the rehab done in 3 months. I anticipated that it would take him 9-12 months to get up to levels of weights that he was accustomed to lifting. And he shows a lot of dedication on his part. I was able to qualify this year for United States Strongman Nationals Championship. Without Dr. Li, that would not have been the case.
Knee Injury – Orthopedic & Shoulder Center: Testimonial from a Basketball Player
Basketball is just a game that I really enjoy and love. Aaron Hrovat suffered a knee injury for nearly 6 years. It caused me to limit myself from playing basketball much. In those 6 years, Aaron visited 3 different doctors and was told it was tendonitis and nothing could be done. But then he noticed something odd about his knee. Something was physically you could see growing from my knee. From the advice of a friend, Aaron sought relief with Dr. Lawrence Li. His condition was caused by a fragment of bone that pulled off the kneecap, and because the ultrasound gives us real time dynamic images, I could see that piece of bone moving and figure out that was the source of his pain. How was that different than other physicians in the area? Not every facility has all the imaging modalities with MRI x ray and ultrasound together to help us make that diagnosis. I’ve been playing basketball since 6 months after the surgery. Dr. Li was able to do what 3 other doctors couldn’t.
Loose Shoulder – Orthopedic & Shoulder Center: Swim Testimonial
I’ve been swimming since I was 8 years old. I love swimming, it was my whole life. A loose shoulder kept Katie Baker out of the water. It went on for about 2 years. After a while, I couldn’t handle the pain anymore and that’s when I found Dr. Li. Almost a hundred percent of swimmers have issues with looseness and that’s because the strokes they do stretch out their shoulders over time. What was the surgical process with Katie? Katie had a minimally invasive arthroscopic shoulder surgery in which I took sutures and tightened up her capsule. First we had to let it heal and then we could start her on therapy, and then allow her to go back to swimming. Dr. Li says swimmers like Katie shouldn’t try to push through the pain. Every swimmer, if they feel pain, should see me right away because they don’t want to let a problem get worse and worse to the point where it needs surgery. I feel great, I can swim again, which is, I love.
Labral Tear – Orthopedic & Shoulder Center: Tae Kwan Do Testimonial
Tae Kwan Do Grandmaster Manny Sosa breaks boards at lightning speed. Tae Kwan Do, it’s something that I feel I was born to do. But a labral tear in his shoulder robbed his punching power. My shoulder was a big problem actually for me. I have to be able to demonstrate more than just tell people what to do. His first doctor recommended a simple surgery that wouldn’t have fixed Manny’s problem. Dissatisfied, he sought help from Dr. Lawrence Li. I performed a minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery and repaired the labral tear that he had, and then we had him undergo intensive physical therapy to get his strength back. Sounds like the injury was pretty important to him. Cause he’s a high level martial artist, and he needed a repair to get him to the level of the same type of punching power. By listening to his patients individual needs, Dr. Li got Manny his power back. I am so glad today that I’m able to continue to do what I love doing.
Tennis Elbow – Orthopedic & Shoulder Center: Golf Testimonial
I was frustrated and I was in constant pain every day for almost a year. As an avid golfer, Steve Jordan tried to play through the pain caused by tennis elbow. I played anyway but it just made it worse and after I couldn’t lift a club out of a golf bag, I had to do something. Seeking relief, Steve went to see Dr. Li at the Orthopedic & Shoulder Center. Steve had already tried other methods and still had persistent pain, so I used a non-invasive procedure called Tenex. What is Tenex? Tenex is a technology that uses soundwaves to break up soft tissue that’s bad. So I use MSK ultra sound guidance to find the bad tissue. I then use the Tenex needle to remove the bad tissue in the elbow and that resolves his pain. Are there any other facilities close by that also use Tenex? I’m the only one within 45 miles that use it. It was fantastic. I was pain free for the first time in a year, 24 hours post-surgery.
Fracture – Orthopedic & Shoulder Center
Every kid’s got that dream to play in either Minor League Baseball or Major League Baseball, that would be, that would be a life dream. Jacob Villafuerte’s athletic career was in jeopardy after a severe accident on the football field. He was on a kick return 55 yards in, and when he planted his left leg, both of the bones snapped between his knee and his ankle, and all I could hear was him screaming. I’ll never forget that day. Three hours from home, late on a Friday night, Jacob was rushed to the hospital. The family was told that he would have to wait until Monday morning to be put back together. Livid, I’m very upset. Feeling alone, Jacob’s father reached out to the family’s orthopedic surgeon back home, Dr. Lawrence Li. My patients know that they can call me anytime when they have a problem. They texted me his x rays, I looked at his x rays, and arranged for Jacob to come home and have a surgery the next day. Jacob kept telling us that it was all over and that he wasn’t going to play sports again. I would just like to thank Dr. Li for getting my boy back on the field.
Fractured Tibia and Fibula – Orthopedic & Shoulder Center: Roller Derby Testimonial
Roller Derby is my passion and it is my family. Claudette Mitchell lives for roller derby. If I could not do roller derby anymore, I would feel a loss. But an accident during practice nearly kept her off the rink for good. A teammate of mine hit me which caused me to break both my tibia and my fibula. I was scared. I was referred to Dr. Li who did my surgery and helped me to recover. How serious was her injury? It was completely broken, it was a very serious injury, and she was not going to walk properly until it was fixed correctly. After surgery, Claudette started rehab early. Early rehabilitation is key because the patient suffers a loss of muscle and the muscle keeps wasting away until we start them on rehabilitation and rebuild that muscle. Six months later, Claudette was back jamming her way through the pack. He gave me the confidence and the assurance that I would get back to playing roller derby. We are best friends.
Sports Medicine
I’ve been seeing Dr. Li for most of my life and believe it or not, cheerleading is a rough sport. From broken bones to torn ligaments and shoulder injuries, he’s helped me the entire way. Dr. Li is amazing, friendly, and really cares about me. I used to tease my mom that I should get hurt every year just so I could go see Dr. Li. He’s my favorite doctor. Keep on your game and get help for your sports injuries at the Orthopedic & Shoulder Center. Call 309-888-9800 or visit orthopedicshoulder.com.
Labral Tear
As a corporate pilot, lifting bags is part of my job and is becoming tougher and tougher to do. One day while working out at the gym, I felt my shoulder go and I was grounded. Then I met Dr. Li and honestly I couldn’t have expected anything better. I had my first appointment, MRI, and x- ray all in the same day, and my surgery and rehab went really, really well. I’m thrilled to be flying again. The Orthopedic & Shoulder Center helps you get back to work. Call 309-888-9800 or visit orthopedicshoulder.com.
Orthopedic & Shoulder Center: Knee Injury
A torn ACL benched me from playing soccer, but Dr. Li got me back on the field again. Then I fell and I hurt both my knees, and it was very painful to walk. Dr. Li and the staff at the Orthopedic & Shoulder Center got me active and moving again. Now I am looking forward to passing on my love of the game as a coach. I tell everyone to go see Dr. Li. He’s awesome. Get back in the game at the Orthopedic & Shoulder Center. Same day care, x ray, MSK ultrasound, MRI, therapy. All under the same roof!
Orthopedic & Shoulder Center: Broken Arm
It was terrifying when our daughter, Avery, broke her arm. As parents we feel helpless. You just want everything to go as fast as possible. Dr. Li made this happen. When you need orthopedic care, trust Dr. Lawrence Li and the Orthopedic & Shoulder Center. We were at ease knowing our daughter was in good hands and going to recover quickly. I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Li. The Orthopedic & Shoulder Center. Minimum invasion. Maximum result. Call 309-888-9800 or visit orthopedicshoulder.com
Orthopedic & Shoulder Center: Torn Knee Cartilage
Over the past 20 years, I’ve needed orthopedic care a few times. Recently, I tore the cartilage in my knee. I reached one of these issues, I chose Dr. Li. If you need orthopedic care, trust Dr. Lawrence Li and the Orthopedic & Shoulder Center. It worked out great for me, I’m pain free, and back on schedule again. The Orthopedic & Shoulder Center. Minimum Invasion. Maximum result. Call 309-888-9800 or visit orthopedicshoulder.com.
Orthopedic & Shoulder Center: Broken Wrist – Mark Brown
When I broke 4 bones in my wrist, I thought the worst. This is it. I’m not going to be able to work again. Dr. Li came with great references. He did a tremendous job. I was amazed at the speed of my recovery. When you need orthopedic care, trust Dr. Lawrence Li and the Orthopedic & Shoulder Center. In 4 weeks, my flexibility matched my good wrist. I’m very happy about that. The Orthopedic & Shoulder Center. Minimum Invasion. Maximum Result.
Rotator Cuff Tear
I’ve been athletic most of my life with weight training being part of my routine. Little did I realize that one of the exercises I was performing would cause a tear in my rotator cuff. After my surgery with Dr. Li, I began my rehab. My therapist at the Orthopedic & Shoulder Center told me to never perform that specific move again. Without her, I might’ve reinjured myself. She really saved me. The Orthopedic & Shoulder Center. Minimum Invasion. Maximum Result. Call 309-888-9800.
Wrist Fracture
Lorien is a very active kid. When she broke her wrist the second time, I was pretty concerned so I took her to see Dr. Li. I was utterly amazed by the level of professionalism and organization of Dr. Li and his staff. They relieved my anxiety about Lorien’s level of care. The office we visited for her first injury was utterly chaotic compared to the Orthopedic & Shoulder Center. It was like night and day. I sincerely hope that Lorien does not injure herself again, but I know where to take her if she does. Put your trust in Dr. Li. Call 309-888-9800.
Workmen’s Compensation
As a firefighter, my work can be strenuous and rewarding. When I tore my rotator cuff, I knew I’d have a hard time keeping up and I had to do something about it right away. I went to the Orthopedic & Shoulder Center to see Dr. Li, and it was a great experience. Through diagnosis, surgery, and therapy, I am now back to work. It has been excellent. If you are injured at work, call Dr. Li and the Orthopedic & Shoulder Center. We bypass the delays in the worker’s compensation system and help you recover in the shortest time possible.
About Orthopedic & Shoulder Center
From your shoulder, hand, back, knee, ankle, and foot, Dr. Li and the Orthopedic & Shoulder Center have you covered. We use non-surgical methods and minimally invasive techniques to maximize function and speed recovery. Physician visit, x ray, therapy, MSK ultrasound, and MRI all in the same day and under the same roof. Whether it’s a sports or work related injury or something in between, let us get you back to normal. Call 309-888-9800 or visit orthopedicshoulder.com.
Rotator Cuff Tear – Kim
I couldn’t do simple like reach for a glass of water. I was in a lot of pain. Turns out I had a tear in my rotator cuff. I continued to work out with the injury. I suffered for far too long. Now I’m glad I finally did something about it. It was wonderful working with Dr. Li and his staff. I really just follow the exercises and doing exactly what they told me to do. I’ve had a full recovery. I can work out and do everyday things again. The Orthopedic & Shoulder Center. Minimum Invasion. Maximum Result.
Rotator Cuff Tear – Steve
It was brutal to not be able to pitch like I used to. I was in a lot of pain and needed to get on with my life. I met with Dr. Li and his staff and the MRIs showed tears in my rotator cuff. After a minimally invasive procedure, I was able to throw again with no pain. I feel my recovery was fast, especially for my age. Now I can pitch a baseball at the same speed as when I was semi pro. The Orthopedic & Shoulder Center. Minimum Invasion. Maximum Result. Call 309-888-9800 or visit orthopedicshoulder.com.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Maureen
It got to the point where my hands were falling asleep all the time. I couldn’t get a good night’s rest. Carpal tunnel syndrome was impacting my life in a very significant way, but I was putting off dealing with it. I met with Dr. Li and he immediately put me at ease. I was amazed at how fast I healed. You would never know I had anything done. Dealing with it has changed my life. The Orthopedic & Shoulder Center. Minimum Invasion. Maximum Result. Call 309-888-9800 or visit orthopedicshoulder.com.
Orthopedic & Shoulder Center Overview
When you need orthopedic care, trust Dr. Lawrence Li and the Orthopedic & Shoulder Center. Board certified and with over 20 years of experience, Dr. Li utilizes both non-surgical methods and minimally invasive techniques to maximize function and speed recovery. Same day care, open MRI, X-ray, and physical therapy all under the same roof. The Orthopedic & Shoulder Center. Minimum Invasion. Maximum Result.
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