Martynka Wawrzyniak, a Brooklyn-based book editor, artist, and avid climber, embarked on a fateful ice climbing trip to the Catskills in February 2022. While waiting on a narrow ledge in Stony Clove Notch, she tragically lost her grip and tumbled down a 200-foot icy cliff after reaching for a dropped glove. Her descent was a terrifying whirl of flips and impacts against the ice-covered rock face. Miraculously, her fall was arrested by a tree, 50-70 feet above the road below, where she clung, bleeding and dizzy, for a harrowing half-hour until her climbing companions could reach her. Initially believing her injury to be a simple sprain, she attempted to continue the day using hiking poles as crutches, a decision that underscored her tenacious spirit. However, the severity of her injuries soon became apparent, necessitating a trip to urgent care, which ultimately led to her being transferred to NYU Langone Health.
At NYU Langone, the full extent of Wawrzyniak’s injuries was revealed: a broken talus bone in her ankle, a fractured fibula in her lower leg, and a shattered calcaneus, or heel bone. The damage required a two-hour surgery to reconstruct her left leg, inserting four screws into her ankle joint to facilitate healing. Faced with a grueling recovery, Wawrzyniak refused to be deterred. Her innate determination and love for an active lifestyle propelled her forward. She embarked on a rigorous rehabilitation program, pushing herself to walk with crutches, perform floor ab workouts, hang board, and do pull-ups, all while her leg was still healing. Her unwavering commitment to recovery is testament to her resilience and positive outlook.
Despite her remarkable progress, a lingering limp remained a year after the accident, a constant reminder of the trauma she had endured. Doctors warned that a permanent limp was a possibility with such a severe talus injury. Unwilling to accept this limitation, Wawrzyniak sought further medical intervention. She was determined to regain her full mobility and return to her active pursuits, including climbing and running. Her refusal to surrender to her injury underscores her unwavering determination and reinforces her proactive approach to her recovery.
Wawrzyniak consulted with Dr. Lauren E. Borowski, a sports medicine specialist at NYU Langone, who acknowledged the complexity of her fracture and the extensive damage to her bones. Dr. Borowski marvelled at Wawrzyniak’s recovery, recognizing the immense effort she had invested in regaining her mobility. It was a testament to her resilience and determination, a journey from the brink of death to the pursuit of an active life once again. The severity of the initial injury made her recovery even more remarkable, highlighting the power of a positive mindset and dedicated rehabilitation.
The turning point in Wawrzyniak’s recovery came when she began working with Sarah Plumer-Holzman, a senior physical therapist at NYU Langone’s Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, and, crucially, a fellow climber. Plumer-Holzman understood the specific demands of climbing and tailored a rehabilitation program to address Wawrzyniak’s unique needs. Focusing on her ankle, hip, foot, and gait, Plumer-Holzman devised exercises to retrain Wawrzyniak’s movement patterns, addressing the tendency of her foot to roll outwards and her toes to scrunch. The exercises, including calf raises and balancing disc work, became an integral part of Wawrzyniak’s routine, strengthening her leg and improving her balance and coordination. This specialized approach proved instrumental in her journey back to climbing.
Wawrzyniak’s dedication to her rehabilitation paid off. She not only regained her ability to walk without a limp but also surpassed her pre-injury climbing abilities. She found renewed success at the gym, a testament to her hard work and the effective therapy she received. While she may not be ready to return to ice climbing immediately, her progress in bouldering and other climbing disciplines is a significant victory. She transformed a near-fatal accident into a catalyst for growth, emerging stronger and more determined than ever. Her story serves as an inspiration to anyone facing adversity, demonstrating the power of perseverance and the human capacity for healing. Her journey highlights the importance of specialized physical therapy, personalized care, and a positive mindset in overcoming significant physical challenges.
