Patient Testimonials
See Why SIO Is Long Island’s Destination for Orthopedic Care.
By now you know South Island Orthopedics is one of the region’s leading orthopedic providers. Our team of board-certified surgeons is among the best in the field — and we have the praise from patients to prove it.
Professional Soccer Player’s Knee Reconstructive Surgery
A professional soccer player needed reconstructive surgery on her knee after a devastating injury while playing at college. SIO’s Dr. Eric Freeman performed the surgery, which allowed her to continue playing at the collegiate level and then professionally in both the U.S. and abroad.
But another knee injury — she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus — had her back on the operating table not long after that.
However, she is making a rapid recovery and credits Dr. Freeman’s conservative, minimally-invasive approach with helping her get back on the soccer field.
“I am currently recovering as if I will be back playing soccer professionally. I have flown out of the gates post-op,” she says, noting that she was back on the treadmill and regaining muscle strength just two weeks after the surgery.
Book An Appointment With Dr. Freeman Today!
Extreme Sports Athlete’s Shoulder Surgery
An extreme sports athlete also credits SIO (specifically Dr. Nicholas DeBellis) with saving his ability to do what he loves. After severely injuring his shoulder in a dirt bike accident while racing, he wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to ride again.
After a visit with Dr. DeBellis, though, he had hope. “When I met with Dr. DeBellis, he said, ‘Listen, you could probably PT [physical therapy] this and over time you might get some motion back. But if you think you’re gonna get on a dirt bike again, we have to fix this. In judging you and the things you do, we need to fix it.”
And Dr. DeBellis did fix it. The patient underwent surgery to repair a severely torn labrum and rotator cuff—a minimally invasive procedure that involved only three small incisions and two anchors. Recovery involved an aggressive physical therapy program, as the patient was scheduled for a race only a few months post-surgery.
Speaking about Dr. DeBelliis, the patient says, “He seemed to feel like I would reach 100% recovery, as long as I stuck to the protocol. He assured me that what we were going to do is fix me and that my shoulder will be strong, even stronger than it was.” And that’s what happened: the patient was able to make his racing trip, and rode without any shoulder pain.
“I’m so thankful,” he says. “I couldn’t ask for any better.”
Book An Appointment With Dr. DeBellis Today!
These are just two examples of the many SIO patients who have made full recoveries. To join them, talk to an orthopedic surgeon today.