Marlene Cooper

A few years ago I had what I thought was a knee problem, coupled with shooting pain down the side of my thigh down to the calf. The orthopedist I had been seeing had diagnosed the problem as a torn meniscus, and there didn't seem to be any relief from the pain; I had a cortisone shot in the knee, but that did not help, Advil was the only painkiller that provided relief.

Someone had noticed I was taking a lot of Advil, and suggested I go for a second opinion, and a colleague suggested Dr. Halpern at HSS. Dr. Halpern immediately knew what was wrong; it wasn't my knee at all, but referred pain from the arthritis in my lower back! Once I had the correct diagnosis I was able to alleviate the pain, and am feeling so much better these days. All that time and pain I spent with an incorrect diagnosis! I couldn't believe it!

I refer everyone I know to Dr. Halpern; he is the most talented and caring doctor. Everyone should be lucky to have a doctor like him. I feel very lucky to have him as a doctor.