James Pasieka

Ankle Replacement - Dr. Constantine Demetracopoulos:

I suffered with end-stage ankle arthritis, which became extremely debilitating and painful for me in late April 2023. We live in Canada, which contrary to most to persons’ belief, has probably the worst health care system in the western world. In order to get my life back I had to travel to the USA. I chose HSS and Dr. Constantine Demetracopoulos in September 2023 for the complicated surgery.

From my first appointment with Dr. D., I knew that I was in good hands. My case was complex but nonetheless he was confident that he would be able to do ankle replacement surgery and several related and needed osteotomies on the same foot. The surgery went terrifically well, and my recovery was excellent.

I am 5.5 months post-op and I have my life back. I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for Dr. D., his amazing team including Alexa and Lowsant his most accomplished practice manager, and the entire amazing team overall at HSS.

Every day, after the first two months when full weightbearing was permitted, I marvel at Dr. D.’s work.

No words can express the magnitude of how Dr. D. changed my life -and how eternally grateful my family and I will be to Constantine. Thank you man!

Radiofrequency Ablation - Dr. Vladimir Kramskiy:

Over the last two decades I have had five lumbar spinal surgeries, including spinal fusion at L2-L3.

Regrettably I don’t have any disc or soft tissue remaining in the lumbar region, with multi level, multi factory degenerative changes, and bone-on-bone in the lumbar region throughout.

From my first appointment with Dr. Vlad Kramskiy I knew that I was in good hands. I liked him immediately.

My case was extremely complicated, but Vlad- through his genius and experience- was able to suggest a relatively simple procedure, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the nerves in and around the left side lower lumbar facet joints.

To test Vlad’s theory, we first did a nerve block in respect of the nerves in that region, which turned out to be highly diagnostic.

That led us to the RFA procedure which was incredibly easy and straightforward, and my remediation of the lumbar pain and related back spasms was near immediate.

I am now about 8 weeks post-procedure and I continue to exhibit relatively little or almost no discomfort in respect of what was previously chronic, and at times, excruciating lumbar spinal pain and co-related back spasms.

I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for Vlad, and his amazing team including Elizabeth Garden his most excellent practice manager, and overall, the whole team at HSS!

No words can express the magnitude of how eternally grateful I am to Vlad for his genius. Thank you man!