Austin T. Fragomen, MD

Antoinette is a 15 year old young woman who wanted to share her story. She wrote:

"In July 2009 I was hit by a motorcycle as I crossed the street. I remember waking up in the hospital with lots of pain. The doctor told my mom that I fractured my tibia and fibula. I had surgery, and my leg was in a cast for a few months, but I was still experiencing symptoms of pain and swelling."

Three months after the surgery, x-rays showed the tibia was not healing.

"This experience changed my life. I walked with a limp. It took me more time than usual to get around. My self esteem was down. People would make fun of me and call me names like 'Limpy.' I was afraid to wear shorts because of the leg bump."

She stopped attending school because of the leg pain but also because the constant humiliation she felt from many of her peers was too much to bear.

"My mom and I saw another doctor who said the fracture was not healing and I would need another surgery. I felt angry and depressed. My mom spoke to me and told me that she would make everything okay.

"We were referred to many doctors before we found the right one. My Mom's friend, Dr. Kleinman, examined my fracture and told us he knew a doctor that had the experience to fix my leg. He sent us to the office of Dr. Fragomen."

"Dr Fragomen confirmed that he was able to repair my leg. I had the surgery May 2009."

"After the surgery I was pain free. I could walk better. Within three months I was able to run without a limp. I was back to normal. I have a great appreciation for Dr. Fragomen.

"He made me feel happy. I can now move on with my life. I am now in school. I can enjoy life, and I’m no longer called Limpy."

A letter from Carlo:

"Dr. Fragomen, I just wanted to say thank you. The time, care and attention that you and your staff pay to your patients is visible from the very first consultation which is refreshing. My entire life, I have been treated like a 'freak' when seen by doctors outside of HSS who don't have a clue of what Spinabifida is. It took my other doctors 2 weeks to come up with the osteomyelitis diagnosis. When they finally did come up with the diagnosis, the first thing they mentioned was amputation. When I first came to see you, you knew exactly what needed to be done and did it. You and your team have made this whole experience, for lack of a better term, worth it - from Norma & the front office folks to Lisa and the rest of the medical team. Thank You!! Thank YOU, Dr. Fragomen for being who you are and doing what you do."

Josh's Story

I have been bowlegged since going through a growth spurt during my middle school years. It never really negatively impacted my life. I wasn't self conscious about my legs and I suffered no ill effects physically. I was able to run and play sports with the best. However, in 2007 I turned 30 years old and while playing a soccer match suffered a torn meniscus in my right knee. It was the first ever injury I had suffered to my knees. I underwent a meniscectomy and went back to normal activities. In 2008, I began noticing significant pain on the inside of my knees while running. I still had plenty left in life that I wanted to do that required me to be in peak physical condition and I wasn't willing to give up on those dreams because of knee pain. I began to look for solutions. Read more.

Patient Registration Form (pdf)

• Postoperative Physical Therapy Guide (covers exercises for the tibia, femur, hinged foot/ankle, and the fixed foot/ankle)