Hospital for Special Surgery

As the Official Hospital of the New York Knicks, we’d like to wish the team good luck in their opening game tonight and all the best for a successful 2020-21 season! Photo credit: New York Knicks

This fall, 15-year-old Sydney (Syd) underwent hip surgery with Dr. Ernest Sink, pediatric orthopedic surgeon and chief of the Hip Preservation Service at HSS. Maintaining a positive attitude during her recovery, Syd organized a toy drive for fellow pediatric patients at the HSS Lerner Children’s Pavilion to make their holidays brighter. Having gone through surgery myself, I understand how instrumental it is to keep your own spirits up during such a hard time, said Syd. Helping others feel joy and happiness in such a difficult time is the only gift I can ask for. My hope is to give children a reason to smile during their time here at HSS.

Best friends, Elizabeth (right) and Calyn (left) suffered ACL injuries - Calyn while playing basketball and Elizabeth at a soccer showcase with her club team. The injuries sidelined them for their junior year sports seasons. Dr. Jo Hannafin performed ACL surgery on Calyn in March 2019 at HSS Orthopedics at Stamford Health and for Elizabeth in July at HSS’ main campus in New York City. She explained to both athletes the road ahead from injury through recovery to a return to c...ompetition. Dr. Hannafin was very reassuring and so positive about the process, which gave me confidence in my return to running, Calyn says. Both girls credit PT with helping them gain strength and improve conditioning. Calyn and I overlapped with PT and eventually ran together. She motivated me in how strong she was, Elizabeth adds. Their hard work paid off this fall. Elizabeth and the Trumbull (CT) High School soccer team were named co-FCIAC East champions. Calyn placed fourth to help Trumbull’s cross country team capture a conference regional championship.

Minor setback for a major comeback. Follow Brooklyn Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie's journey after a successful surgery with Dr. Michelle Carlson, hand and upper extremity surgeon at HSS, to repair a torn ligament in his thumb. Thanks to his care team at HSS, he was able to get Back in the Game in just under 5 weeks to help the Nets secure a spot in the playoffs: http://ow.ly/fvoq50CSzjF

In partnership with Palm Beach Atlantic University, Dr. Kathleen Davenport, physiatrist at HSS Florida, offered dance students health screenings. Using DARI motion analysis, these screenings assessed the mobility and strength of students, while also identifying the amount of strain particular movements put on their joints, muscles, and bones in order to prevent injury.

As we return to the gym, it is important to understand that our current fitness level will not be the same as it was before gyms closed earlier this year. Max Castrogaleas, exercise physiologist at HSS, provides tips to help you return smoothly.

After successful surgery to repair a torn ACL and meniscus by an HSS sports medicine surgeon, Ava went on to play soccer at the collegiate level. On the day she was supposed to return to college for preseason, a skateboarding accident resulted in the tearing of her other ACL and meniscus. When coming to terms with missing her junior season, she knew that HSS and the Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy/HSS Center of Excellence would take care of her one more time. Nearly one year post-surgery, Ava is now back on the field and feels stronger than before! http://ow.ly/cGpz50BWPeO

Why should I get involved in a lupus clinical trial? There is no known cure for lupus, which makes your participation so critical. Learn how you can contribut...e to the lupus treatments of the future by joining the LRA and our affiliate Lupus Therapeutics for an interactive Clinical Trials Virtual Fair, TOMORROW from 10am to 1pm ET. Hear about different types of clinical studies, what it’s like to be in a clinical trial, how trials are being adapted in the face of COVID-19 and have a chance to chat with trial representatives about specific studies you might join. Save your spot! lupustrialsoct.vfairs.com

Did you know that physicians voted anesthesia as one of the greatest medical advances of the past 150 years? In recognition of World Anaesthesia Day, learn 10 historical highlights about the Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Management at HSS.

This week we are joined by Jennifer Jezequel a PT from Hospital for Special Surgery to answer all your questions about PT and movement.

A professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete, Pedro sustained a knee injury before a major competition. He traveled to HSS, where he underwent successful surgery performed by a sports medicine surgeon. Post-surgery, Pedro was able to return to competition and placed 3rd in the World Championships! http://ow.ly/ICTx50BtTMP

In recognition of National #PTMonth, we honor our physical therapist at HSS Rehabilitation treatment centers for their amazing work and commitment to providing outstanding patient care!

As an Ecuadorian American, my immigrant parents instilled a strong work-ethic & the value of serving others. My family’s non-profit organization serves the Ecuadorian community through social & cultural programming for over 25 years. Our events, like the Ecuadorian Parade in Manhattan showcases the folklore, dance & food of the Latin American community. I embrace my heritage by creating opportunities to bring cultures together that allow them to proudly showcase their tradit...ions. As a bicultural Latina, I’ve learned to embrace my dual patriotism. This means walking a tightrope of expectations & overcoming imposed limitations, all while defying the odds. As the Sr. Manager of the Charla de Lupus Program, I have the privilege of providing culturally relevant programming to reduce health disparities. Being part of HSS allows me to fulfill my purpose of serving others & be an agent of change every day nationally. We’re proud to recognize Priscilla Toral & all of our Hispanic members of the HSS Family in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month! Como ecuatoriana americana, mis padres inmigrantes me inculcaron una sólida ética de trabajo y la importancia de servir al prójimo. Mi familia posee una organización sin fines de lucro que sirve a la comunidad ecuatoriana desde más de 25 años a través de programación comunitario. Nuestros eventos, como el Desfile Ecuatoriano en Manhattan exhiben el folclor, baile, y comida latinoamericana. Yo abrazo mi herencia hispana al crear oportunidades para unir otras culturas y que con orgullo demuestran su propia herencia. Como latina bicultural, he aprendido a abrazar mi doble patriotismo. Esto significa caminar en una cuerda floja de expectativas y superar las limitaciones impuestos a nuestra comunidad, desafiando al mismo tiempo las probabilidades. Como Gerente del Programa Charla de Lupus, tengo el privilegio de aportar programas culturales y relevantes para reducir las disparidades de salud. Ser parte de HSS me permite continuar mi propósito de vida que es servir a los demás y a diario ser un agente de cambio a nivel nacional. ¡Estamos orgullosos de reconocer a Priscilla Toral y a todos nuestros miembros hispanos de la familia HSS durante el Mes de la Herencia Hispana!

Dance students from Palm Beach Atlantic University - PBA participated in screenings at HSS Florida with physiatrist Dr. Kathleen Davenport, and physical therapist Jorge Giral, using the DARI markerless motion capture system to assess their functional range of motion, stability and identify areas of potential risk to prevent injury.

In recognition of World Arthritis Day, Laura Gibofsky, HSS nutritionist, provides key points to remember when planning a well-balanced diet.

As a teenager, Andrea broke the head of her femur in a high jump competition and underwent various surgeries to prevent a hip replacement. After her last surgery proved to be unsuccessful, she found HSS through various recommendations. Following hip replacement surgery, she had less pain than ever before and feels confident walking and wearing heels! http://ow.ly/JONI50BtVlE