Kristen B.

After taking a fall in 2016, an MRI showed a full-thickness tear of my rotator cuff. My surgeon in San Francisco scoped my shoulder, and didn’t find anything of note to repair. After weeks of physical therapy, visiting multiple rheumatologists at the advise of my surgeon and multiple injections I continued to be in more pain and have less range of motion.

After extensive research of course Hospital for Special Surgery was at the top of my list. What appealed to me about Dr. Josh Dines was a combination of his extensive research and specialty of the shoulder. I was also impressed by the professional sporting teams that he consults for and the glowing reviews that everyday people like me had left for him. After sending him my records and story, within only a few hours he wrote back with his initial thoughts. We talked via email and the phone over the course of a couple of months, deciding surgery was a logical step. His fabulous assistants Carolyn Zuba and Valerie DiStefano were of great help in all of the coordination needed for my visit, surgery and post-op appointments.

In meeting Dr. Dines in-person for the first time on a Friday, I found him thorough, compassionate and ultimately reassuring that after a physical exam surgery on Monday was still the direction to go. On Monday morning, the entire staff put me at ease! Dr. Richard Kahn, my anesthesiologist, offered me a nerve block study that could (and did) increase the length of the block. The entire operating room took great care of me by playing fun music, telling me jokes and holding my hand as they put me to sleep. Dr. Dines repaired my torn rotator cuff, biceps tendonitis, an impingement as well as bone spurring.

Throughout my healing process back here in San Francisco, Dr. Dines has remained communicative, answering any questions from both my physical therapist and myself. At 17 weeks out I am still involved in physical therapy, but now I am pain-free and gaining range of motion and strength more each day!

I am eternally grateful for the absolutely stellar care and treatment I received from Dr. Dines, Dr. Kahn and the entire staff at HSS.

June 2018:

After waking up one morning with neck pain so severe I couldn’t lift my head without my hands for support to get out of bed, I first sought out a masseuse who after a few days had me feeling mostly normal. This happened two more times, and at that point I decided to seek help. After gathering all imaging, I decided I needed the very best given it was my neck and reached out to Dr. Todd Albert.

I had all my imaging and records sent to Dr. Albert, and he very quickly scheduled a call to talk about the findings. There were several ruptured discs that needed to be addressed. Over the course of the call, we discussed each layer of vertebrae, the discs that had ruptured, and what he would do to address them. At this point I agreed to surgery and started working with both Natisha and Betsy. Natisha as well as Betsy have been so helpful and kind to work with!

I flew in a couple of days early from San Francisco and had a thorough physical by Dr. Craig, who confirmed my vocal cords were healthy and met Dr. Albert in person to discuss again exactly what was going to be done.

The morning of surgery is always such a whirlwind. My pre-op nurse, Lauren Mohr, was an absolute gem and worked hard to speedily get me ready while keeping me happy. My anesthesiologist, Dr. Beathe, made me feel as comfortable as possible, and blasted Carrie Underwood “The Champion” (at my request!) on his phone as I was wheeled back to get prepared for surgery.

The operation was very successful! I have had one successful follow-up with Dr. Albert and will see him again in the fall. This team and the hospital are as impeccable as they could possibly be.

Thank you to Dr. Albert, Dr. Craig, Natisha, Betsy, Dr. Beathe and Lauren!