Louise DeFilippis

Excellence Deserves Recognition

Please read my story because choosing the best orthopedic surgeon can change your life! My name is Louise. I’m from Queens, NY and I am in my 50’s. I have never been an athlete but

I do try to live an active & healthy lifestyle - rock climbing, kayaking, snowboarding, & cycling.

In January 2019, I was rock climbing and fell 8 feet. I dislocated an elbow and injured my knee. I could not stand or walk. I was rushed to a local hospital and visited an orthopedic surgeon a few days later. The orthopedic surgeon examined me and scheduled an MRI. The diagnosis was not good. The MRI confirmed I completely tore my ACL, MCL & meniscus. During my consultation with the doctor, I was told that although the injury to my knee was serious, I would be able to walk as long as I braced my knee. I was told that ACL reconstruction surgery was not recommended for adults my age. He further suggested that I continue on with more of a sedentary lifestyle.

This course of treatment was unacceptable to me. The following day I contacted Hospital for Special Surgery, the hospital with a reputation for being #1 in Orthopedics. I was referred to

Dr. Danyal Nawabi, sports medicine surgeon, and I met with him the following week. After 1 office visit with Dr. Nawabi I knew that I found a surgeon. Dr. Nawabi patiently listened to my genuine concerns and understood my commitment to quickly returning to an active lifestyle. He examined my knee, took additional x-rays in the office & reviewed my MRI. Before I left Dr. Nawabi’s office that day, we discussed my injuries and a course of treatment. My ACL injury did not have to mean the end of a healthy active lifestyle. Dr. Nawabi reassured me that he would do his best to repair my knee. I had to go to physical therapy for a few months to prepare my knee for surgery. We had to make sure the swelling was gone & then we could move forward with surgery.

On March 28, 2019, Dr. Nawabi performed my surgery. I had ACL reconstruction surgery, which involved replacing the entire ligament with an allograft (cadaver ligament). He also repaired my MCL & meniscus at the same time. The surgery and recovery could not have been better. I had ambulatory surgery in the morning at HSS & I was home the same day. I experienced very minimal pain after my surgery. I was up and walking around with a knee brace & crutches later that evening. A week later I began physical therapy. I am now 5 months post-op and feeling better than ever. I am Back in the Game of life enjoying all my activities. My surgery was March 28, 2019, but by June (the beginning of Summer), I was cycling 10 – 15 miles on the boardwalk in Long Beach.

Dr. Danyal Nawabi, thank you so much for expediting my diagnosis and surgery. You are an outstanding surgeon as well as kind and down to earth. I cannot express in words how grateful I am to you. I feel stronger than ever & truly blessed to have met you!