Patient Stories
Knee and shoulder patients treated by Dr. Andreas Gomoll at the Hospital for Special Surgery — and the active lives they returned to after cartilage repair, ACL reconstruction, osteochondral allograft, partial knee replacement, and joint-preserving osteotomy.
Patient Video Stories
Each of these patients sat down on camera to share the injury, the procedure, and the return to the activities they love. Click any video card to read the full story and watch.
Patrick
Knee Cartilage Transplant
After 11 Iron Man finishes and years of wear and tear, Patrick was told he needed a knee replacement. Dr. Gomoll instead performed a knee cartilage transplant — and Patrick is back racing in Iron Man.
Read & watch storyPamela
Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation
Pamela shares her experience with osteochondral allograft transplantation for a knee cartilage defect — a joint-preserving alternative to early replacement performed by Dr. Gomoll.
Read & watch storyGianna
Patient Transformation Story
From a childhood unable to ice skate or keep up with friends, Gianna shares the multi-year transformation that brought her back to the activities she loves after surgery with Dr. Gomoll.
Read & watch storyJennifer
High Tibial Osteotomy + ACL Reconstruction
A project manager and lifelong volleyball player struggled with recurrent knee swelling after a previous ACL and meniscus surgery. Dr. Gomoll and Dr. Strickland recommended a combined HTO + ACL reconstruction — and Jennifer is back to playing volleyball 3–5 times a week.
Read & watch storyMichele
ACL Repair with the BEAR Implant
Michele shares her experience with ACL repair using the BEAR implant — a bridge-enhanced ACL restoration that preserves the patient's own ligament — performed by Dr. Gomoll at HSS.
Read & watch storyAmanda
Hyalex Cartilage Implant (FDA Trial)
After years of debilitating knee pain, Amanda participated in an FDA trial of the new Hyalex synthetic cartilage device with Dr. Gomoll — and shares how it helped restore her quality of life.
Read & watch storyPartial Knee Replacement
Partial Knee Replacement
An athlete who played sports through high school and college talks about how aging injuries led to a partial knee replacement — and how he's feeling now.
Read & watch storyFresh Osteochondral Allograft
Fresh Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation
A lifelong CrossFit and football athlete describes the cartilage defect he sustained in high school football and the fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation that returned him to training.
Read & watch storyIn Their Own Words
Unedited words sent to Dr. Gomoll after recovery — across cartilage repair, ACL reconstruction, osteochondral allograft, meniscus transplantation, and high tibial osteotomy. Color-coded by the procedure each patient had.
Dear Dr. Gomoll, thank you so much for repairing my knee. I am more than thrilled to be back out running, and hiking pain free. Here's a picture of me from this summer on top of Mt. Katahdin, up in Maine.
LC, 2 years after osteochondral allograft transplantation
Thanks Dr. Gomoll. The knee is doing great — I'm running, jumping, and doing 1-leg squats as well as I did when I was 30. No pain during, just some soreness after.
GT, 3 years after HTO
Hello Dr. Gomoll, I was a patient of yours at Brigham and Women's Hospital in 2013/2014, receiving a cartilage transplant and high tibial osteotomy in January 2014. I want to tell you that the surgery changed my life — I've had full range of motion in my knee, I'm very active (I've lost 75 lbs in the past year) and have very little to no discomfort doing any activities.
JD, 2 years after fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation and HTO
For the first time in ten years I don't have pain in my knee.
AD, 2 months after distal femoral osteotomy and lateral meniscal allograft transplantation
As always your kindness and patience astounds me. It's a good thing you are so calm and grounded so you can keep me from totally freaking out.
DN, 4 months after ACI and tibial tubercle osteotomy
Last May, you repaired a torn ACL in my right knee using an allograft procedure. I just wanted to report that I have now been able to start playing basketball again, which was one of the primary reasons for having the surgery. I still have some very slight, occasional discomfort in the knee, but absolutely no instability, even on awkward landings during basketball. So thank you and the entire team at Brigham and Women's and the Faulkner.
DS, 8 months after ACL reconstruction
You performed a meniscus transplant and knee realignment. Since my surgeries I am doing fantastic. My knee is fully functioning with a range of motion around 130–140 degrees. I am competitively running now. I ran cross country and indoor track for my high school. I plan on running outdoor track this spring as well. Thanks to you I am finally getting back to how I used to be before I hurt my knee.
KN, 18 months after meniscus transplantation and distal femoral osteotomy
I just wanted to say thank you for all you have done for me. I am sure I have said it to you in person, but I just wanted you to know that I thank God that I found a doctor that could help me with my knee. It is hard to find a good doctor in these days and times. I just want you to know by one of your patients that you are truly appreciated for what you do and the care that you give.
DB, 6 months after ACI and tibial tubercle osteotomy
Happy new year to you! Thank you for the best Christmas present I have ever received! No Pain!!!!!
SL, 2 months after ACI
I want to thank you again for the time you spent with me. I really felt as though you have a heart and never felt that you were trying to sell me a surgery. Best regards, J.
JM, non-operative treatment for knee arthritis
The upside of my bad knee is that I had the opportunity to meet you. Your expertise is unparalleled and your patient care is above anything that "thank you" would cover. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all you have done.
KP, 2 months after osteochondral allograft transplantation
Working with you all has really been an eye opener for how healthcare should work.
MS, pre-op for ACI
3 lift tickets at Okemo Mountain — $177. Two hot chocolates and an ice-cold beer at the Summit Lodge — $12.85. Five hours on the slopes with my two favorite boys and my new, virtually pain-free knee — PRICELESS! Mission accomplished — skied 5 hours (with many breaks) on Monday. Stayed home Tuesday just to make sure there wasn't any pain or swelling, and guess what — none! Going back for more tomorrow! Can't thank you enough!
DN, 12 months after ACI and tibial tubercle osteotomy
Patient JC crossing the finish line of the 2015 Boston Marathon, 18 months after high tibial osteotomy surgery with Dr. Gomoll.
JC, 18 months after HTO
Take the Next Step
Bring your imaging and a clear question to a sub-specialty consultation with Dr. Gomoll — in-person at HSS in New York.
