Walking a New Path: How One Patient Turned Pain Into Passion

For more than a decade, hip pain slowly chipped away at the life Clark Halferty once loved. A 46-year-old Kansas City native, former track and cross-country athlete, and then-triathlete, Clark found himself sidelined by pain and discomfort by the time he turned 40. 

“I dealt with the pain for as long as I could, but little by little, it took away my ability to do everyday tasks like walking or working around the house,” Clark says. “So, in the fall of 2023, I decided to do something about it.”

Clark reached out to Rockhill Orthopaedic Specialists, knowing the team was renowned for diagnosing and treating chronic hip pain in the Kansas City area. He met with Megan N. Mayer, MD, a fellowship-trained and board-certified orthopedic surgeon with specialties in hip and knee pain and subspecialty training in hip arthroscopy. A hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a surgeon makes a small incision around the joint and inserts a camera to diagnose potential issues. Dr. Mayer conducted a hip arthroscopy and identified a tear in Clark’s labrum, a ring of cartilage that cushions the hip joint. The tear would require surgical repair, which Clark underwent in February 2024. 

“I’ll admit: I struggled with recovery,” Clark says. “I was on crutches for six weeks, and it was difficult to function with such limited mobility.” It was Clark’s first time having orthopedic surgery, and though he was nervous, he fully committed to the recovery process. Over time, he began to see the results and get a glimpse of his former, active self. “I was very dedicated to the physical therapy,” Clark says. “I could feel myself getting a little stronger every day.”   

Now, more than a year later, Clark is thrilled with the outcome and has reclaimed his lifestyle in ways he never thought possible. "I have more strength in my hip now than I ever did before surgery," he says. He no longer competes in triathlons to prevent further injury, but has discovered new passions: hiking and wildlife photography. 

"I could probably still run and train at that level, but it's not worth having a total hip replacement down the road," Clark says. "Not when I have these other passions. I traded the running shoes for hiking boots. I go on these long hikes with a nice camera and just try to capture what I see around me.” 

He credits Dr. Mayer with guiding him through the process and convincing him that a pain-free life was possible. “I was very impressed with Dr. Mayer both before and after the surgery,” Clark says. “Throughout everything, she was supportive, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about my well-being.” 

Looking back on his road to recovery, Clark has only one regret, which will sound familiar to anyone who has found relief through orthopedic surgery.

“I wish I had done it sooner,” Clark says. “I carried that pain for 15 years, and it took a toll on me—first physical, and then emotional. Now, I have a whole new outlook on life, and it’s changed everything for the better.” 

Rockhill Orthopaedic Specialists has delivered high-quality orthopedic care to the Kansas City region for more than 70 years. Rockhill is affiliated with Saint Luke’s East Hospital and includes 17 board-certified and board-eligible orthopedic surgeons and physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians with a combined 200 years of experience treating a full range of conditions.