2023 Highlights

Montefiore Einstein Orthopedic Surgery

Throughout 2023, our department has continued to expand our leadership in care through flexibility and innovation, as we provide high-quality musculoskeletal treatment to every patient we served. We have broadened our footprint  by establishing new clinics, expanding access to care.

Neil J. Cobelli, MD, Chairman and Professor, Montefiore Einstein Orthopedic Surgery


 

Note from the Chair

This past year has proven to be one of both challenge and opportunity. Despite yet another COVID-19 wave, the department managed to pivot, adapt and even grow. We continue to maintain our commitment to providing outstanding orthopedic care during these unprecedented times and take pride in our many notable accomplishments.

Read more

DATA & STATISTICS

2023 by the numbers

2,400+

Joint replacement surgeries

8,250+

Orthopedic surgeries

770+

Podiatric surgeries

163,500+

Office visits

Sports medicine research highlights

The Division of Sports Medicine is investigating minimally invasive alternative treatments for adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. In conjunction with the Pain Medicine Department, we are working to improve patients’ range of motion and pain with minimally invasive techniques. The division is also investigating trochanteric pain due to iliotibial band tendinopathy using a novel, minimally invasive technique to alleviate pain and return patients to full activity.

Dr. Kamara accepted to Health Policy Fellowship Program

The American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) accepted Dr. Eli Kamara to the Health Policy Fellowship Program for 2022-2023.

"Super Doctors" recognizes members of our sports medicine faculty

Several of our junior sports medicine faculty were recently recognized by "Super Doctors." Ferdinand Chan, MD, and Pramod Voleti, MD, were each selected as Rising Stars, and Michael Hossack, MD, was recognized as a Super Doctor. David Gonzalez, MD, was selected as Top Doctor.

Shoulder Service awarded prestigious fellowship education grant

Montefiore’s Shoulder Service, along with its American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons' Accredited Shoulder Fellowship, was awarded a $23,000 fellowship education grant from the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Foundation in support of fellowship education. This prestigious honor continues to help financially support our ongoing fellowship efforts.

Dr. Weiser leads Adult Reconstruction Fellowship to a successful inaugural year

Our Adult Reconstruction Fellowship, led by Dr. Mitchell Weiser, was a success in its first year. Our first fellow from Rutgers Medical School, Dr. Andres Zorrilla, participated in over 450 cases and presented at various meetings. Our current fellow, Dr. Gerald Andah, is a graduate of Penn State University.

Diversity and outcomes

The Department of Orthopedic Surgery continues to evaluate disparities in delivering orthopedic care to minority populations. As a high-volume joint replacement center serving a diverse patient population, we examined outcome disparities following total joint replacement surgery. This year, we presented a paper titled ”Post-Operative Complications after Outpatient Total Joint Arthroplasty in a Health Disparate Community” at the European Orthopaedic Research Society annual meeting in Rome, Italy.

Patient-reported outcome scores now embedded within electronic medical records

Patient-reported outcome scores (PROs) allow us to objectively assess the outcomes and effects of our surgical and nonsurgical treatment on the function and quality of life of our patients. The PROs also let us analyze our results and perform studies that contribute to pediatric orthopedic literature.

The Joint Commission recertification in Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement

This advanced certification recognizes the care provided to patients undergoing joint replacement surgery throughout their stages of treatment. Having only been awarded to 11 institutions within New York State—and to only four in New York City—Montefiore's program is the only one in both the Bronx and Westchester to receive this national certification. It demonstrates our extraordinary commitment to patient safety and surgical excellence.

Research Review

Improving care and outcomes through research

Over the course of 2021, our department published on a wide variety of topics, including oncology, sports medicine, COVID-19 and others.

Explore our latest

research.

Clinical Trials

Advancing care through clinical trials

Montefiore Einstein Orthopedic Surgery participates in both national and clinical trials, a selection of which are highlighted below. 

Surveillance After Extremity Tumor Surgery (SAFETY)

Surveillance After Extremity Tumor Surgery (SAFETY) is a multinational and multi-institutional effort led by researchers at McMaster University that seeks to identify the most effective method for monitoring soft tissue sarcoma patients who are at risk for developing pulmonary metastases. Montefiore’s Division of Orthopedic Oncology is a participating site that enrolled its first patient this year.

Prospective Cohort Study on Current Treatments of Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease

Dr. Eric Fornari 

The Children’s Spine Registry

Dr. Jaime A. Gomez, Dr. Jacob F. Schulz  

SLIP Registry - SCFE Longitudinal International Prospective Registry

Dr. Eric Fornari 

Simple Bone Cysts in Kids (SBoCK)

Dr. Jacob F. Schulz

Team News

Updates and additions to our world-renowned faculty

Alex S. Ha, MD

Attending Physician
Assistant Professor, Orthopedic Surgery

Steven Koehler, MD

Attending Physician
Assistant Professor, Orthopedic Surgery

Arnold Wilson, MD

Attending Physician, Joint Replacement

Leila Alvandi, PhD

Lead Research Assistant Professor, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic Surgery Residency 2021 Highlights

The Orthopedic Surgery Residency program enjoyed a prosperous 2021. January 2021 saw the Orthopedic Residency emerging from the impact of the initial waves of COVID-19, and by March our biomechanics lab was up and running with projects again, allowing our first data points to be delivered in the fall. Our residents designed, presented and are publishing an award-winning platform they have developed for teaching small-joint arthroscopy, with another award-winning and published resident project, teaching micro-anastomosis, fully incorporated into the skills program as a six-week micro course. In June, we held a hybrid Graduation Day that included presentations and the initiation of our Guest Lectureship with Dr. William Levine. In July, the PGY1 class once again started orthopedic surgery in the Alumni Skills Laboratory and visiting medical students were able to return on a limited basis to participate in away rotations. Unfortunately, the realities of the Delta and Omicron variants forced all interviews to be done virtually; however, we successfully adapted to the virtual environment, interviewed nearly 100 candidates and have six outstanding PGY1 residents to show for the effort. Across 2021, our residents were able to stay busy doing scientific work with more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and 19 national presentations, with six winning awards. And the year's coming PGY4 projects on early review are remarkable.

Patient referrals

At Montefiore Einstein Orthopedic Surgery, we know that providing patients with the best possible care includes teamwork and trust. We work closely with our valued referring physicians to ensure open communication and reliable expertise.