What Our Patients Say

Thank you Dr. Miller for fixing my broken wing!

I recently needed surgery for a complicated right hand injury. Since I am right handed it was especially important that I get the most skilled surgeon I could find. When doing my research, I found many people with great reputations but who don't actually perform the surgeries themselves; instead they supervise other less experienced doctors on their team. With Dr. Crowe however- you get Dr. Crowe- an extremely knowledgeable, patient, and attentive, surgeon with a great bedside manner. His confidence and experience gave me much needed peace of mind throughout. The surgery worked out great! My hand works perfectly and looks the same as before. I would highly recommend Dr. Crowe to anyone."

"Dear Dr. Ennis, Let me first thank you for the great job you did replaceing my hip - please include my name on your list of extreemely satisfied patients. What I had not expected was to be so impressed by each and every member of the ONS staff that I had interactions with. The office staff was at all times courteous, knowledgeable, and professional. The medical staff patiently explained every aspect of my procedure and answered my questions clearly. At all levels, each and every member of the ONS team appeared to both enjoy and excel at their professions. Thank you for your good work and that of the ONS team."

After Greenwich resident and Brunswick Academy teacher T.S. seriously injured his shoulder, he sought relief from the disabling pain and loss of mobility from leading shoulder specialist Dr. Seth Miller. "I'd been taking lots of anti-inflammatory medication," said T.S. who enjoys recreational softball and kayaking adventures with his students. "I kept trying to work through the problem but eventually realized I was losing strength in my arm." Dr. Miller determined that his patient had torn a tendon of his rotator cuff, but an arthroscopic surgical procedure could repair the damage and end his pain. By using the latest arthroscopic technique, the tendons heal at about the same rate as in traditional surgery, but the less-invasive procedure has several big advantages. Arthroscopy is a same-day surgery and can be performed with local anesthesia. Patients experience substantially less pain after arthroscopy, which allows them to get back to their normal routine quicker. "Almost all rotator cuff tears can be repaired with arthroscopy and there are clear benefits," says Dr. Miller. "T.S. had same day surgery and returned to his classroom the following day with his arm in a sling. Two months after surgery, he had regained complete range of motion and had full use of his shoulder. He was able to resume all his normal activities and even went on a rafting trip with his students."

"Dear Dr. Miller, I wanted to take a minute to thank you for the excellent job you did repairing my torn bicep. The surgery and recovery went remarkably well, and I have probably recovered 95% of my strength at this time.  Your entire staff, from your office to Greenwich Hospital, provided nothing but the best of care and service.  Moreover, it was very much appreciated to be able to make a doctor's appointment and actually be taken on time. I would not hesitate to recommend your practice to anyone. Thanks for everything."

C.C. of Greenwich was just 49 when she began to feel intermittent pain in her right knee. Occasionally the joint would even lock in place. Eventually, the pain worsened. She consulted her doctor who told her it was probably arthritis, which is prevalent in her family. X-rays of her knee did not reveal any irregularities so she tried to continue with life as usual. C.C. was a very physically active person and she was discouraged by how difficult even walking had become. When the pain elevated to "sharp and shooting" she became alarmed and made an appointment to see Dr. Brian Kavanagh at ONS. He ordered another set of x-rays but this time he wanted her to be standing. The difference was dramatic. The new images revealed that, in fact, no cartilage remained between the bones in her knee. "Dr. Kavanagh explained that the condition of my knee would not improve," said C.C. "Sooner or later, I would need a knee replacement." C.C. had the surgery and remained in Greenwich Hospital for three and a half days, followed by seven days in a rehabilitation center. Her progress was steady. By the time she came home, she was walking without a walker or cane. "I did physical therapy three times a week, which was tough work but the continual progress was very motivating." After six months C.C. was completely recovered and back doing all her normal activities.

L.L. was a 15-year-old Port Chester High School freshman when he broke both bones in his right forearm while playing football in a game in Chappaqua, NY. His mother easily recalled how excruciating her son's pain appeared to be as they raced to Greenwich Hospital. Dr. Frank Ennis was on call in the Emergency Room that afternoon. When he saw the deformed appearance of L.L.' forearm, he knew his patient had suffered significant fractures in both his right ulna and radius. The bones were out of alignment and very unstable. Urgent surgery was required. It took two and a half hours for Dr. Ennis to insert two permanent plates and eleven screws to align and secure the bones. Everything went as expected and L.L.' recovery went smoothly. L.L. was a serious basketball player and he had worried he wouldn't be able to play on his school varsity team that November. After the surgery, Dr. Ennis gave him exercises to do at home and with conscientious effort, he regained full mobility of the arm in time to play the coming season with his team. Dr. Ennis attended his first game and congratulated L.L. on his recovery.

At 73, Wilton resident E.S. still missed his sport, skeet and trap shooting. He had been a serious competitor in skeet and trap shooting tournaments until twelve years earlier when he noticed his left shoulder "catching" as he followed his target. It didn't sweep in the smooth arc that he was accustomed to. Before long, the problem became painful and also began affecting other activities including putting on shoes and even driving a car. After consulting an orthopaedic surgeon, he learned that years of wear and tear had resulted in a torn rotator cuff. A year later, after losing much of his arm's mobility and living with increasing pain, he underwent surgery to repair the tear. The result was only modestly successful and over the next nine years, he underwent two more surgeries. His condition continued to deteriorate, eventually forcing him to retire from his work as a plumbing contractor. After the failure of his third surgery, E.S. was referred to Dr. Seth Miller, who was successfully using a brand new procedure known as a reverse shoulder replacement. Approved by the FDA in 2004, reverse shoulder replacement has been performed in Europe for nearly 20 years. The surgery uses a metal and plastic implant that works the opposite of a normal shoulder by placing the ball onto the shoulder blade and the socket onto the top of the upper arm bone. The reversed position of the ball and socket alters the mechanics of the shoulder, changing the center of the shoulder's rotation. The strength needed to move the arm is shifted away from the damaged rotator cuff muscles, allowing the deltoid muscle to take over. A reverse shoulder replacement is a breakthrough for patients with a rotator cuff that has degenerated to the point it no longer functions and cannot be repaired. "Many of these patients are unable to raise their arm more than a few inches and a traditional shoulder replacement is not an option because the tendons aren't healthy enough to hold the shoulder ball into the socket," explains Dr. Miller. "Until the reverse shoulder replacement was invented, there was no solution for a patient with such a badly damaged shoulder." Dr. Miller performed the surgery and E.S. remained in the hospital for three days. Soon after, he began a home exercise program to strengthen and train the deltoid muscle for its new job. In only a few weeks, he began to regain the ability to lift his arm and within two months, he was able to raise his arm well over his head, something he hadn't been able to do for years.

Cos Cob resident J.M. was 24 when he was playing basketball with friends and tore his ACL. He jumped to reach a ball coming off the basket rim. As he grabbed the ball, his body twisted in the air. But when he came down, slightly off balance, his left foot planted hard on the court. He fell to the floor and pain shot through his left knee. Almost immediately, it swelled. An x-ray at Stamford Hospital indicated no broken bones but Jason was advised to see an orthopedist. The next day, he visited James Cunningham, MD. A physical examination determined he had most likely ruptured his ACL. An MRI confirmed the diagnosis. "An avid basketball player and all-round athlete, J.M. was a good candidate for an ACL reconstruction," said Dr. Cunningham who, in the surgery last April, used part of his patient's patellar tendon to reconstruct the ACL. The surgery also included work on a partially torn meniscus. The surgery lasted an hour and a half and J.M. went home later the same day. His recovery was steady and his pain was managed with Advil. After five days he began a physical therapy program, which he followed three days a week for the first month and gradually reduced over the following few months. His knee regained full flexibility and before long he returned to playing basketball with his friends.

Dear Dr. Clain Thank you so much for sending me the hardware that was in my foot! It is sad to think that I won't have to see you anymore to assist with my endless amount of foot problems! Thank you for everything you have done!

Dear Doctors, Nurses, Therapists and support staff, This is a big THANK YOU for all the expert and attentive care you extended towards my recovery from a broken pelvis and elbow after a spill on black ice in December '09. Let everyone know, there is Zumba after broken bones heal. I recienved excellent care at Greenwich Hospital, with elbow surgery by Dr. Geene (yay for titanium). {Each of you as a part of this "total team" took me from being in excruciating pain and bedridden to no pain and full function and then some!}

Dr. Hindman, Thank you so so much!

Dear, Dr. Greene, It has been 6 weeks since you mended my fractured left clavicle and I continue to make progress in my recovery. I estimate that my range of motion in the shoulder is close to 90% and I am beginning to cautiously build strength in the muscles affected by my injury. I wish you a wonderful wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving, and this year I am especially grateful for having such a great orthopedist as you.

Dear Dr. Sethi, I was in today to see DR. Hindman about my knee and thought I stop by to see you. You would never believe what I can do with my arm (shoulder) now!!! I hope you are well. Warm wishes.

Dear Dr. Sethi, Thank you so much for everything you have done to help me reach my dream of playing at Elon. I can't tell you how much your words of encouragement have meant to me this past year.

Dr. Sethi, Just a small a word to tell you thanks for all you've done for [my son.] Not only have you repaired him physically, but emotionally as well. I am eternally grateful to you for your genuine interest in my son.