Published on May. 11, 2026
For 22-year-old Buena Park resident Lin Komaromi, staying active wasn’t just a hobby — it was a way of life.
“I’ve been an athlete for as long as I can remember,” said Lin. “I was a cheerleader, a dancer and a gymnast, and during those pursuits, I also fell in love with weightlifting as a way to stay active, build strength, and challenge myself. I did cheer competitively in college for two years and could deadlift 300 pounds and squat 250 pounds.”
From early morning runs to weekend tournaments, Lin’s athletic pursuits defined her routine and were a huge part of her identity. But when persistent knee pain started threatening to sideline all activity, she grew concerned. Being an athlete was her lifestyle and her passion, and she did not want that to change. She began seeking advice from others.
“I’m a trainer, so I started asking some of my clients about someone who specializes in knee pain. One of my clients previously received care and had an excellent experience with Dr. Andrew Wassef from MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute, so I decided to give the institute a call.”
MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute delivers destination-level orthopedic and spine care—combining full-spectrum, non-surgical-to-surgical treatment, nationally recognized outcomes, and breakthrough robotics and navigation technologies—giving patients a level of precision, expertise, and innovation comparable to elite academic medical centers and specialty institutes, without leaving the comfort of their own community.
A Call That Changed Her Life
When she called the office, she learned that Dr. Wassef had a new partner in Dr. Prem Ramkumar who specialized in hips and knees with a focus on sports medicine. Based on her athletic background and desire to return to her active lifestyle, she jumped at the opportunity to meet with him.
“When I did my consultation with Dr. Ramkumar, I kept telling him that it was my knee that hurt, and when he told me it was most likely my hip that was the culprit, I was in shock,” said Lin.
Dr. Ramkumar wanted to rule out meniscal injury, cartilage injury, and patellar instability first, but upon listening to Lin’s athletic history he explained that knee pain can often stem from the hip joint.
“It is quite normal for knee pain to be referred by hip dysfunction,” says Prem Ramkumar, M.D., orthopedic surgeon, MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute, Long Beach Medical Center. “I see this a lot in my athlete-forward patients, but in Lin’s case, she actually had femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS), a hip condition where bone overgrowth causes joint friction, pain, and limited movement, often seen in young, active people.”
FAIS occurs when the ball (femoral head) and socket (acetabulum) of the hip joint do not fit together congruently, leading to injury to both the articular cartilage and labrum. This incongruence occurs when bone is produced by the young athlete’s body to protect itself from athletics during an age when growth plates around the hip remain open. After meticulously confirming the diagnosis with a battery of exams and tests, FAIS often warrants arthroscopic surgery. This operation improves the athlete’s pain and function in the short term, but may also help avoid a hip replacement.
The MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute and its leading orthopedic experts always treat patients with non-surgical methods before recommending surgery. Lin did pursue physical therapy, and as she worked through it, it started to come together in hindsight how her pain could all stem from the hip.
After conservative treatments didn’t give her the results she was looking for, Lin leaned on her loved ones and the experts at MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute to determine her next best move.
When to Know If Surgery Is Right
In Lin’s case, she chose to undergo hip arthroscopic surgery to address her FAIS and get back to her active lifestyle. Lin talked with her boyfriend, who was studying human movement in college, about her options.
“I really didn’t want surgery,” says Lin. “I was only 21 at the time and had already had two separate surgeries not tied to being an athlete, and I just didn’t want to go through it again. I even decided to get a second opinion, just to see my options.”
As an athlete, Lin wanted to ensure she received the best care possible to return to her active lifestyle, so — as any informed patient and athlete should — she also made an appointment with a leading Orange County competitor who is highly experienced in orthopedic care. She wanted to make sure no stone was unturned when it came to her health and outcome.
But a follow-up appointment with Dr. Ramkumar eased her anxiety.
“I brought my boyfriend with me, and we asked Dr. Ramkumar so many questions—based on my knowledge as an athlete and his current studies,” said Lin. “Dr. Ramkumar welcomed it, was patient with us, and could answer everything. It really made us feel confident in his care.”
Dr. Ramkumar recommended a hip arthroscopy that could be done as an outpatient surgery at the MemorialCare Ambulatory Surgical Center. Advances in hip arthroscopy, including minimally invasive techniques (two to three tiny incisions), advanced imaging, and specialized tools, have enabled FAIS treatment to become a same-day outpatient procedure. These improvements allow for precise, durable labral repairs and osteoplasty, leading to faster rehabilitation and reduced soft tissue trauma. He explained that surgery wasn’t just about relieving pain—it was about restoring proper movement and protecting Lin’s hip health long-term.
“These technological advances allow us to effectively address FAIS in a timely manner and help prevent future arthritis. We have leading-edge technology and capabilities right here in Long Beach,” said Dr. Ramkumar.
Dr. Ramkumar also walked Lin through what recovery would realistically look like, emphasizing that while surgery was an important step, her outcome would depend on her commitment to rehabilitation.
After Lin’s conversation with Dr. Ramkumar, she was feeling confident but wasn’t 100% sure and knew it was a big decision. She went home, did additional research, and then canceled her second-opinion appointment. She knew where she wanted to be and called Dr. Ramkumar’s office back to schedule her surgery.
“I truly appreciate Lin’s approach to her decision-making around surgery and her diligent questions. Informed patients who advocate for themselves are my favorite patients, as I know they will take their recovery seriously and put in the necessary work—and she did not disappoint.”
Surgery and Beyond
Lin went to the MemorialCare Ambulatory Surgical Center in October 2025 for her hip arthroscopy. The surgery was successful, and when she was wheeled out, she could bear 20% weight on crutches for two weeks. The day after surgery, she was able to get on a stationary bike every day for 20 minutes.
“As soon as I could, I went right into recovery mode with a goal in mind,” said Lin. “I wanted to bounce back, and it was remarkable that even after surgery, I was at times feeling less pain than before surgery. I just didn’t realize how much it was impacting my performance.”
Lin kept grinding, and by three months post-surgery, she was running three miles and went skiing—and the amazing part was that she skied completely pain-free.
“I think that’s when I knew how great the precision of the surgery was. I felt like Dr. Ramkumar and his team understood my goals—not just to be pain-free, but to return to peak performance.”
By February, four months after surgery, Lin completed her first Hyrox—a global fitness race that combines running and functional workouts similar to Spartan races but held entirely indoors.
“When I heard that Lin completed a Hyrox at only four months post-op, I was pleasantly surprised. She’s definitely motivated, and I think as a trainer she knows how and when to push her body. But she also teaches us all something: don’t settle for living with pain, and the right care can make all the difference,” shared Dr. Ramkumar.
Learn more about MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute.