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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

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

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

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.

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.

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.”

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!”

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

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.”

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.

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.”