Richard B.

I am a runner first. That is, for 35+ years I have started my day with a run - until several years ago when after my morning run I had sharp pain along the undersurface of my left second toe. Unfortunately, it was only after 3 totally unsuccessful surgeries elsewhere that I went to see a foot and ankle surgeon at HSS. I should have seen him first, not fourth. His surgery on my foot (my fourth surgery) was just what I needed. He got me back to running where 3 other highly regarded and recommended foot surgeons did not. Three years later, I'm running at least 6 miles, 4 times a week. The foot feels great. In fact, I just ran my first Falmouth Road Race on Cape Cod this summer. What a treat. Kudos to my surgeon, PA and the fine staff at HSS.

October 21st, 2021:

Concussions aren’t easy. Concussion headaches aren’t fun. Dr. Teena Shetty knows that. And she knows what to do about it. Thank you, and thank you again, Dr. Shetty and the HSS concussion clinic team.

I’m 70 years old. Before my concussion, I was running 40 miles a week in Central Park. Then I had a concussion which resulted in a constant, disabling headache. After 8 months of no improvement under treatment (or should I say observation) at another academic medical center in NYC, I sought out Dr. Shetty at HSS. In less that 3 months, Dr. Shetty’s concussion team gave me back many priceless things not the least of which were headache free days, miles of running again every morning and an eagerness to be up, out and about each day, just like before my concussion.

Here’s the difference between Dr. Shetty and others. Her approach to concussions involves an entire team of experts that actually meet and speak to each other, which means that care will be comprehensive, supervised and, when needed, adjusted. Unlike others, Dr. Shetty’s approach is not one size fits all or “let’s wait and see” because she knows that each concussion is unique, requiring individualized treatment. Her multi-disciplinary team truly cares about getting its patients better as quickly as possible.

The team in my case started with me with a number of specialists: a neck physical therapist, a vestibular physical therapist, an exercise trainer (who created exercise programs based on heart rate thresholds), a headache physician, a pain management physician, an acupuncturist, a neuropsychologist, and a behavioral therapist. For me, once the dust settled, we focused on neck PT, aerobic exercise training, and acupuncture. But that’s what worked for me. Someone else? Not to worry. Dr. Shetty and her team will find the right approach for that someone.

Did I say thank you, Dr. Shetty? I can’t say it enough.