Your comeback story
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Learn how our patients returned to active lives after suffering injuries and other orthopedic conditions.

Athlete Returns to Sports After Bilateral Total Hip Replacement

The condition: Jeanne Burns, an athletic and active woman in her early 40’s, began having pain in her hips which grew worse over a year’s time. She had to give up running marathons, and as the pain worsened, had to eliminate skiing in the winter, as well as other favorite athletic pursuits throughout the year. Since Jeanne’s mother had undergone double hip replacement in recent years, she knew her condition was probably hereditary. She made an appointment with Dr. Robert Deveney, a specialist in total hip replacement surgery, who had successfully treated her mother. Dr. Deveney had used the Mako robotic-assisted surgical technique for Jeanne’s mother’s surgery and was able to eliminate her hip pain, so Jeanne was eager to inquire if this procedure would be recommended for her own condition.   The treatment: Upon examination and x-ray, Dr. Deveney determined that Jeanne had developmental dysplasia of the hips, a condition one is born with that impacts the architecture of the hips. Most people aren’t aware they have it until they begin developing pain in their 40’s. In addition to the pain, hip dysplasia is associated with a high risk of developing arthritis as one ages. Dr. Deveney recommended a similar robotic-assisted procedure for Jeanne to address her hip pain, and scheduled her two hip replacement surgeries six weeks apart. “Jeanne was a great candidate for the Mako robotic-assisted surgery technique. Robotic surgery allows the surgeon to design and plan joint replacement surgery in a way never done before.” Dr. Deveney explains. A pre-operative CT scan provides a 3-D image of the joint, enabling the surgeon to determine the exact size and position of the replacement optimal for the patient. During surgery, the technology provides immediate feedback so each component can be positioned with greater accuracy, using computer-aided precision. According to Jeanne,

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skiing after acl injury

Knee Replacement Success Story: Ray Shail

The condition: Ray Shail had been suffering with knee pain for over 20 years. The 68-year-old had a congenital deformity that caused him to be significantly bowlegged for much of his life, and as he aged, his knees became extremely painful and severely arthritic. He walked hunched over due to the pain, which also started affecting his hips and back as well. Still, Ray was anxious about having a knee replacement and fearful of hospitals. However, when an accident resulted in a broken kneecap, he was seen at the office of Dr. Robert Deveney, a specialist in hip and knee replacement surgery. The treatment: After an exam and x-rays, Dr. Deveney informed Ray that he would be able to not only replace his knees, thus alleviating his intense pain, but was also able to straighten his legs. This could be achieved, he explained, using the latest robotic-assisted technology in surgery that has proven to be very successful. When Ray learned about the new technology, and had the option of having the surgery as an out-patient at OrthoConnecticut’s surgical center near home in Danbury, with no hospital stay required, he decided to go ahead with a staged bilateral knee replacement. Since the leg with the broken kneecap needed some time to heal, Ray’s other knee was operated on first. “The first two weeks weren’t easy,” Ray admits. He was impressed, though, by the fact that a visiting nurse and a physical therapist made home visits starting the day of his surgery. After two weeks Ray started physical therapy at the offices of Motion, located in the same building at OrthoConnecticut, which was very convenient. On the day of surgery he became mobile with his new knee, and was astonished at how straight his leg was compared to the yet-to-be-operated on leg. And the

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skiing after acl injury

Torn ACL Halts Game Play But Not Spirits

The condition: Drew Martin knew the moment he felt a pop in his knee during a Friday night football game that the injury was serious.  Soon after, his knee swelled up and he experienced severe pain and could not put weight on his leg. However, so many friends and family members recommended Dr. Ciminiello at OrthoConnecticut that the three-sport high school athlete felt he was going to the best possible doctor to help him recover.  After his first appointment, he felt even better.  “Dr. Ciminiello made me feel so comfortable, and I trusted I’d be getting the right course of treatment. He played college baseball so he understands athletes, which made me feel like he understood what I was going through,” Drew explains. The treatment: After an evaluation and tests, Dr. Ciminiello determined that Drew had torn both his ACL and meniscus, and sprained his MCL.  Drew underwent surgery to repair the tears within a month.  “I felt lucky that, even with Covid, I was able to have my surgery scheduled very quickly,” Drew adds, noting that other friends with similar injuries had to wait months to have surgery at other practices. While the surgery was successful, Drew admits the first few weeks after were difficult because he was unable to stand.  “Just sitting around was so hard for me” he recalls.  Within two weeks he could get around on crutches and return to school, and after five weeks he was able to begin physical therapy at Motion Physical Therapy, located at OrthoConnecticut’s Riverview office.  “Having my PT at the same place was really useful,” Drew explains, adding that it made communications between Dr. Ciminiello  and the therapist very easy. The result: While the typical timeline for an injury like Drew’s is 9-12 months of bi-weekly PT with daily home exercises to

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skiing after acl injury

ACL Injury Doesn’t Mean Life Stops

The condition: When Pacific Northwest native, Anne Uecker, went out skiing for the first time during the 2019–2020 ski season, she wanted to prove to her kids she was still a better skier than anyone else in the family. Unfortunately, she didn’t account for the slick conditions of the early East Coast ski season. When she hit a patch of ice and fell, she immediately knew something was wrong with her knee. “I skied down and went into the lodge to take a break,” explains Anne. “My knee was swelling, but I could still walk, and after a short break I skied two more runs.” Determined that everything would be fine, Anne went back to her condo and vacuumed while waiting for her family to finish for the day. “It can’t be that bad,” Anne told herself, “since I can walk and I’m not in a ton of pain. It just feels loose.” But four days later, her knee still felt loose so Anne went to see Dr. Ganal, who had successfully treated her daughter, Julie, for a broken wrist a few months prior. “Dr. Ganal had a great bedside manner and was easy to talk to, so I knew I wanted to see him for my injury,” says Anne. “Initially, Dr. Ganal suspected I had bruised or torn my ACL and sent me for an MRI,” Anne explains. “When the MRI came back it showed I had not only torn my ACL, but it was completely unattached.” The treatment: Dr. Ganal counseled Anne that she could be treated non-operatively, but Dr. Ganal recommended ACL reconstruction since she desired to return to an active sports lifestyle. Anne agreed and decided that since she was only 43 years old and “not dead yet” she was going to do everything she could

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From Surgery to Strumming in Three Weeks

The condition: When Joe Sassano noticed that the fingers in his left hand had started to lack mobility and became slightly claw-like, he knew right away it was time to consult an orthopedic hand surgeon. Joe, age 70, is a passionate bass player who has been playing since age 11 and enjoys playing in a local band called “Decades,” around the Fairfield County. He knew that the condition would ultimately affect his ability to play if not treated right away. The condition, called Dupuytrens Contracture, but often referred to as Vikings disease, is a genetic disease commonly found in people with Northern European lineage. It causes scarring growths on the fascia of the palm, causing the fingers to slowly cave in and form a claw-like position. However, the condition is painless, so many people do not realize it is happening until the restriction in their hand is quite noticeable. The treatment: Fortunately, Joe knew the signs of the condition right away because he had developed it in his right hand three years earlier. At that time, he turned to Dr. John Lunt at The Hand Center at OrthoConnecticut, who initially attempted to treat the condition non-surgically, through a series of injections. However, while injection therapy has been successful on some patients, it did not work effectively enough for Joe, who ultimately opted for a surgical procedure. Dr. Lunt successfully operated on the hand and Joe eventually returned to full mobility. This time around, Joe knew the signs and went to Dr. Lunt right away. He also knew he had several band gigs set up for mid-February that he couldn’t miss, so he needed to be fully healed by that time. He waited until right after the holidays, and underwent surgery on January 3rd. “I drove four miles from my home

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Dr. Ciminiello and the Achilles Comeback!

 I’ve long believed that everyone has 11 skills in life. Whether it be gardening, running, navigating an estate sale or finding a new shortcut we all have a few identifiable things that we’re just better at than most other people. Along with those skills, however, is the other side of the coin where we either just don’t get it or aren’t built to be as good at something as other people. Personally, a few of my skills are working a grill, hitting long irons out of the rough, and public speaking. On the other side, my Achilles heel is…well, my Achilles heel.I’ve played basketball my entire life and have easily logged thousands of hours on a basketball court. In 2002 I was in a game that was completely indistinguishable from any other, except at one point I pivoted and collapsed, blowing out my right Achilles tendon. The full tear was the complete “window shade” effect – a description as accurate as it is wince-inducing. I had surgery a few days later, and an incision was made at my heel and then they simply cut up the back of my leg until they found the other, rolled-up piece of the tendon. It was pulled it down, the two pieces were tied back together and I was stitched back up. The cast and staples were removed from the 10” incision several weeks later, and after a few months of medication and rehab I was back to 70% of my old self in about 8 months and was happy with the progress. I was careful to avoid any quick-twitch or explosive activities (tennis, basketball, etc.) for at least another year as much out of fear as anything else. There’s no doubt that between the injury, the rehab and the length of time it

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Colleen's clavicle injury and recovery story

Shattered Clavicle Doesn’t Result in Shattered Dreams

The condition: Colleen, a Physical Therapy graduate student working toward her doctorate at University of Connecticut, was working out at the campus gym when a squat bar holding 200 pounds of weights fell off a rack and on to her. The result was a broken clavicle, in addition to a puncture wound to her lower abdomen. After a night in the hospital for the wound, she went straight to Dr. Angelo Ciminiello’s office at Danbury Orthopedics. Both of her parents, who live in Danbury, had been patients of Dr. Ciminiello and she knew she could trust him to treat her quickly and professionally. An x-ray revealed that her clavicle was broken in two places. Although Dr. Ciminiello told her that it was possible to wait and see if the bones would repair on their own, Colleen opted for surgery to get back into her physical routine and training as quickly as possible. The treatment: Only 48 hours after being evaluated, Colleen was in surgery. Dr. Ciminiello repaired her clavicle with a permanent titanium plate and six screws. “Colleen is an active, young woman who had a devastating injury. We discussed various treatment options and felt that surgical fixation of her clavicle would allow her to get back to her active lifestyle the quickest,” explains Dr. Ciminiello. Three days later Colleen was back in school, and began stretching and lifting light weights to regain mobility in her arm and increase strength. The result: Just three months post-surgery, Colleen could return to a full personal exercise regimen and do all her work as a physical therapist. She is glad that she did not “wait and see,” since if she had not healed on her own, she still would have had to have surgery and been out of commission even longer. She is

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Woman using walker

Wheelchair to Walking

The condition: Mary began having trouble walking in her early 50’s.  The difficulty continued to progress, and in time her hips began hurting too.  A series of tests and doctors determined that she had a neuromuscular disease that was also complicated by severely arthritic hips.  She felt she was too young for hip replacement surgery, but after she became wheelchair bound and was unable to care for herself or her family, she decided to reconsider. The treatment: Mary met with Total Joint Specialist, Dr. Robert Deveney, who explained that hip replacement would ease her hip pain but he could not guarantee full mobility because of the neuromuscular disease.  “When there are other underlying medical conditions, surgeons are often reluctant to operate,” Dr. Deveney explains. “However, given the advanced surgical techniques and implants we now use, we have broadened our ability to help patients with a wider range of issues, and I was confident that the surgery would improve Mary’s quality of life and reduce her level of pain.” Although she was scared of having surgery, Mary decided to proceed with Dr. Deveney to replace one hip, since she felt things couldn’t possibly get any worse.  Twenty-four hours after her first hip replacement surgery, she felt no pain in her hip for the first time in years. “It was like a miracle,” she exclaimed.  After three months of home care and physical therapy, Mary gained some mobility, and decided to proceed with having the other hip replaced.  Three months following her second hip replacement, Mary began to use a walker and had independence for the first time in three years.  She was pain free for the first time in years. The result: In the year since her second completed hip replacement, Mary feels like she has been given her life back. 

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garden-couple

Silicone Knuckle Implant Restores Finger to Full Working Order

The condition: Just as Dennis Darria was getting used to retirement, he had an accident: While helping his wife bring in the groceries one winter afternoon, he slipped on ice and, like so many people, used his hands to brace his fall. His right ring finger got jammed in a mound of frozen snow. When the pain, distortion, and lack of movement didn’t subside after a few days, he went to see a general orthopedist. The doctor attempted to spread the finger’s proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint by surgically implanting a screw, but found that the bone was shattered. He instead placed a pin in the bone.  After a couple of weeks, it was clear to Dennis that something wasn’t right. Dennis was then told his finger joint would need to be fused, with the choice of remaining permanently either totally straight or bent at a 45° angle. Not wanting to give up movement in his finger, Dennis turned to his long-time trusted internist who strongly recommended that he consult Dr. Lunt. The treatment: Dr. Lunt assessed Dennis’s finger joint and told him that he was a good candidate for a new silicone implant. The implant would replace the joint and preserve some of the PIP joint motion. Although it was a technically demanding procedure because of the fracture deformity, the surgery went very smoothly.  After two months of occupational therapy Dennis had excellent motion and function. The result: “My hand is back to normal!” exclaims Dennis. Dr. Lunt and the Hand Center’s certified hand therapists gave Dennis back virtually all the mobility he had lost; the difference was apparent immediately. “I hardly notice that I have an artificial knuckle. I rave about Dr. Lunt and his exceptional service to everyone,” Dennis says. Simple everyday things like shaking hands, driving his

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plane wood

Radial Nerve Surgery Gets Carpenter Quickly Back to His Passions

The condition: As a self-employed master carpenter and cabinetmaker, Terry S. needs the full use of his hands and arms. When pain in his right elbow and forearm started to affect his work, Terry tried physical therapy, but when that didn’t work, he sought the advice of a surgeon. The first surgeon Terry consulted diagnosed tendinitis and recommended surgery that would entail eight weeks of recuperation. Terry was alarmed about spending that much time away from his business.  Moreover, as an open-water swimmer with a big charity event just a couple of months away, he wanted to get back to normal as soon as possible. A friend recommended Dr. Lunt at Danbury Orthopedics. Dr. Lunt felt the affected area and did strength testing, which was not part of the original doctor’s examination. To him it very evident that the cause wasn’t tendinitis, but nerve impingement, referred to as “radial tunnel syndrome.” The treatment: Dr. Lunt began by trying the least invasive approach, in this case, cortisone injections. The injections worked well, but the benefits were short-lived. With the symptoms recurring, Dr. Lunt recommended radial tunnel release surgery for long-term relief. But, unlike tendon surgery, the nerve release surgery required just a couple of weeks of recovery.  In addition, the surgery took place in Danbury Orthopedics’ own surgical suite, which streamlined scheduling and the whole procedure. The result: Dr. Lunt took photos of the procedure. Terry was shocked when he saw how compressed the nerve was inside the tunnel. He returned to work after one week, and by week two could begin picking up materials. At the end of two full weeks, Terry was in full swing both in his workshop and in the pool. According to Terry, “Dr. Lunt is aces. He saved me weeks of recuperation, which allowed me

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cellest

Hand Surgery Alleviates Cellist’s Arthritis

The condition: Franz Ryerson has been performing on the cello all her life and has worked with generations of young musicians. Her active schedule included teaching five public school orchestras and tuning dozens of violins and cellos each day. However, the last five years were filled with pain due to arthritis in both her thumbs, and it was interfering with Franz’s ability to play the music she loved. She tried cortisone shots, but they didn’t alleviate the terrible pain. A fellow cellist who had very successful surgery with Dr. Lunt, recommended that Franz see the doctor to see what he could do to help.

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casestudy-strongman

Strongman Gets Impressive Results for Torn Pectoral Muscle

The condition: Fitness and strength are what Matt Mills is all about.  As a competitive power lifter and strongman, Matt needs to be in prime physical condition. When Matt completely ruptured his pectoral muscle, he consulted a number of doctors. All said they had never seen an injury so severe and all doubted that Matt could ever fully regain his strength or mobility—vital components to Matt’s success in competitions. The treatment: In July 2011 Matt turned to Dr. Angelo Ciminiello, sports medicine specialist and knee and shoulder surgeon, for pectoralis major repair to reattach the muscle.  “Matt sustained a complete rupture of his pectoralis major muscle.  This is a devastating injury for a professional weight lifter.  Given his high athletic level, we decided that urgent surgical repair would be in his best interest to maximize his function.” The result: After surgery, Matt quickly regained his mobility and flexibility. Matt’s strength had completely returned in less than seven months.   By January 2012, Matt was able to re-enter competition.  Matt couldn’t wait to share his good news with Danbury Orthopedics: “Thanks to the amazing work Dr. Ciminiello performed, I took home first place at the Bigg Strongg Dogg Winter Strongman Challenge. I highly recommend Dr. Ciminiello as an orthopedic surgeon.” Although we can’t guarantee all our patients will be able to pull 650-pound sleds, duckwalk with 400 pounds on their backs, do a 250-pound key run, or deadlift 450 pounds, we are extremely proud of Matt’s results and impressed with his continued commitment to his passion. If seeing is believing, we invite you to take a look.

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casestudy-brian-sharp

Overcoming a Rare Ankle Condition to Walk Without Pain

The condition: At 32-years-old, Brian Sharp was living in constant pain. He faced losing his growing landscape design business due to a very rare and debilitating ankle condition called osteochondritis dissecans. Because his business requires moving around properties and gardening nurseries, Brian was running out of options…and time. The treatment: Brian’s primary care physician referred him to Dr. Randolph Sealey, a specialist in foot and ankle reconstruction, as “the only guy I would trust for this case.” Considered one of the best foot and ankle surgeons in Connecticut, Dr. Sealey immediately grasped Brian’s condition.  Brian’s other options were a local physician who offered a temporary solution and a specialist in California. Not only did Dr. Sealey become Brian’s surgeon, he also become his advocate and repeatedly appealed to Brian’s insurance company to make sure the complicated surgical procedure was covered. The result: Today, Brian is at work and pain-free. “I’m walking around like a normal person and keeping my business.  Mine wasn’t a typical case; Dr. Sealey went above and beyond. He gave me my life back.”

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Recovery Renews Teen Athlete’s Championship Potential

The condition: An energetic and enthusiastic 13 year old, Kristen Pitts, injured her knee playing basketball in a premier travel league, tearing her ACL and meniscus at the same time.  Facing this injury as a young, promising athlete was crushing for the girl and her family. The location of the meniscal tear was in a difficult location of the knee, diminishing her hopes for a full recovery. The treatment: Erik Pitts, Kristen’s father, had heard about the work Dr. Brand was doing with injury prevention and his expertise in the treatment of ACL injuries in female athletes.   Upon evaluation, Dr. Brand confirmed Kristen’s need for surgery with a goal of returning to normal daily function and participation in her most loved sports.  Dr. Brand performed ACL reconstructive surgery and a lateral meniscus repair in. March. The result: In six months time, Kristen returned to full activity and was back to a full schedule of athletic activity, becoming a track star and winning multiple awards.  She won championship titles in her District Cross Country Meet, in the Junior Olympic XC Nationals, became a record holder and District Champion in the 1600 and 2400 yard races, and was selected as the Point Guard for her winter basketball team. Pitts’ remarkable recovery has allowed her to continue to be the athlete she wanted to be, and given her the confidence to continue challenging herself in school and on the field. “It was a tough experience and I could not have asked for a better doctor. My knee has held up (no pain or swelling!) through everything I have done.  Dr. Brand, I truly appreciate all that you did for me!”

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case-study-football

Athlete Regains Strength and Ability to Throw Pain Free

The condition: Patrick Stroh, a vibrant and athletic 22-year-old on his way to becoming a physician’s assistant, had spent the past six years of his life with constant shoulder pain and weakness.  It got to the point where he had to turn down throwing a baseball or football when he got together with his friends. However, when his shoulder injury started to affect his job as a certified athletic trainer, Patrick knew something had to be done. The treatment: Patrick was referred to Dr. Angelo Ciminiello, sports medicine specialist and knee & shoulder surgeon. Patrick remembers the first time he met Dr. Ciminiello: “Dr. Ciminiello walked into the exam room smiling and treating me like a friend. My knowledge of medicine helped me to appreciate his approach toward my treatment.” Dr. Ciminiello diagnosed a shoulder internal impingement and prescribed physical therapy and rehabilitation, which together typically yield very successful results. However, after a few months, it become clear that surgery would be required to get Patrick back to where he wanted to be. Dr. Ciminiello performed a capsular release procedure to decrease tightness of the shoulder capsule and a labral repair, wherein the cartilage ring is stitched back to the bone of the shoulder socket. The result: Six months after the surgery Patrick was back to doing everything at the high level he desired. Ever the athlete, he now golfs on a regular basis, is playing in three competitive hockey leagues, and is on a softball team. Patrick notes, “I have no further problems from my shoulder and am able to once again throw a football or baseball without hesitation. Dr. Ciminiello allowed me to return to the form that I had during high school.”  Returning to the life you want to enjoy – it’s the goal shared by the

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Rod. Weinberg's knee replacement success story with OrthoConnecticut

Knee replacement gets 72-year-old back to ski patrol

The condition: Rod Weinberg is one of those exemplary athletes you read about: a state champion in speed skating, a contender to play major league baseball, on ski patrol for more than 40 years, and a long-distance cyclist. But all this activity had caught up with Rod, who at age 72 was looking at knee replacement surgery. The problem: No doctor would do the surgery and let Rod resume the skiing that he loved. Rod says, “I’m an older athlete and couldn’t find anyone to touch my knee. My life is built around speed and I didn’t want to stop doing what I enjoy. Finally, I met Dr. Viola and knew I had met my match.”

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golfing florida

Persistence in care saves a life

The condition: John Heaton was looking forward to escaping the winter blahs by spending a couple of months in Florida. Before he left, he paid a visit to Dr. Thomas Guglielmo, his podiatrist at New Milford Orthopedics, for his routine nail care. Dr. Guglielmo noticed that one of John’s toenails was discolored and had a small growth beneath it that occasionally bled. Dr. Guglielmo was concerned and wanted to take off the nail and biopsy the growth. John deferred saying he would have his dermatologist look at it when he went for his appointment the following week. The dermatologist felt there was no cause for worry and John left for Florida to play golf. Dr. Guglielmo’s office called John in Florida 6 weeks later to follow up. When Dr. Guglielmo heard nothing had been done, he insisted that John come into the office immediately upon his return. Good thing he did: Dr. Guglielmo biopsied the growth, which turned out to be acral lentiginous malignant melanoma, a form of melanoma that occurs on the hands, feet, and below the nails. The simple in-office biopsy, which takes just a few minutes, made all the difference.

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Couple walking dogs

Taking steps to relieve heel pain

The condition: Melinda Schupil was going about doing her errands and being active when she started to feel pain in her heel. When the pain didn’t go away after a month, she went to see her podiatrist at New Milford Orthopedics, Dr. Thomas Guglielmo. As Melinda describes it, “I wasn’t able to walk, shop, or do anything.”

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