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Steve B. Behrens, MD

Foot and Ankle, Sports Medicine, Trauma
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About Dr. Behrens

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Dr. Steve Behrens is a board certified orthopedic surgeon with triple fellowship training in orthopedic foot and ankle, trauma and sports medicine. He specializes in disorders of the foot and ankle, traumatic injuries to the lower extremities and sports-related conditions.

Dr. Behrens earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and graduated summa cum laude. He completed his medical training at Ross University School of Medicine, followed by an orthopedic surgery residency and trauma fellowship at Brown University, one of the busiest trauma centers in the Northeast. He then completed a second fellowship in sports medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he provided care to recreational and competitive athletes and assisted the medical staff of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins and the University of Pittsburgh. Finally, he completed a third fellowship in foot and ankle at OrthoCarolina Foot and Ankle Institute with mentorship from leaders in the field at one of the highest-regarded orthopedic practices in the United States.

Dr. Behrens has received several grants for his orthopedic research and has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. His research has been presented at national and international meetings in orthopedic surgery. He is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA).

Dr. Behrens' goal is to provide a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan for each patient, and he believes patient education is of paramount importance throughout the process. Utilizing his extensive orthopedic training, the latest surgical techniques, and the current research available, Dr. Behrens strives to provide the best possible medical care for his patients.

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Departments

Specialized Centers

HSS Center for Regenerative Medicine

Special Expertise

Sports
Athletic injuries foot/ankle
Foot/ankle sports medicine/arthroscopy
Cartilage preservation
Osteochondral lesion (OCD) treatment
Ligament repair
Ankle instability
Achilles tendonitis and injuries
Turf toe injuries

Trauma
Sprains, strains, and acute fracture care foot/ankle
Post-traumatic foot/ankle reconstruction
Avascular necrosis (AVN)
Post-traumatic foot/ankle arthritis treatment
Stress fracture foot/ankle treatment

Arthritis
Ankle replacement
Ankle fusion
Foot (midfoot/hindfoot) fusions

Arch conditions
Flatfoot correction
High-arched feet (cavovarus) correction

Foot/ankle and lower extremity (tibia) deformity correction
Limb Salvage
Limb Lengthening
Spatial Frame (Ilizarov)

Paralytic conditions/drop foot/deformity
Tendon transfers
Reconstruction

Forefoot reconstruction
Hallux rigidus (great toe arthritis)
Bunion correction
Hammertoe correction
Metatarsalgia
Neuroma
Rheumatoid forefoot correction

Congenital foot/ankle correction

Charcot foot/ankle treatment

Patient Stories

Patient ratings for Dr. Behrens

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Insurance

If your insurance is not listed, please call our office if you have questions regarding your insurance coverage. If you have out-of-network benefits, then your insurance may reimburse you for a portion of your office visit. We will work with you and your insurance to minimize your out-of-pocket costs. Financial assistance may be available for patients in need.

Credentials

Appointments

Assistant Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, Hospital for Special Surgery
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College
Assistant Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

Affiliations

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery (AAOS)
American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS)
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)
Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA)

Certification

Board Certified, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS), 2017

Awards

Resident of the Year, 2007 
Albert Einstein Rudin Scholar, 2003
Cornell University, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Honor Society, 2000
Award for Academic Excellence in Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, 2000
Commencement Address, Cornell University, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, 2000

Education

Ross University School of Medicine, 2006

Internship

General Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University/Lankenau Medical Center, PA, 2007

Residency

Orthopaedic Surgery, Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital, RI, 2011

Fellowship

Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle, OrthoCarolina Foot & Ankle Institute, NC, 2018
Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, The University of Pittsburgh/UPMC Center for Sports Medicine, PA, 2013
Orthopaedic Trauma, Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital, RI, 2012

State Licensure

Languages

English

For My Patients

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Meet My Physician Assistant

Meagan Murtagh, PA-C
Physician Assistant to Dr. Steven Behrens

Meghan Murtagh headshot

Meagan Murtagh is a certified Physician Assistant licensed in the state of New York. Originally from Long Island, New York, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Elon University in Elon, North Carolina, prior to earning her Masters in Physician Assistant Studies from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions in Boston, Massachusetts. Meagan is board certified by the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and is an active member of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS). 

Meagan began her career as a Physician Assistant working with Dr. Behrens in 2020 as part of the Orthopedic Foot and Ankle and Trauma services. She performs history and physical examinations, establishes diagnoses and treatment plans, orders necessary imaging, conducts pre-operative and post-operative visits, and assists Dr. Behrens in the operating room. Meagan works alongside Dr. Behrens and independently in the clinic setting. 

As a former volleyball and basketball athlete, Meagan enjoys utilizing innovative orthopedics to help every patient Get Back in the Game.

Publications by Dr. Behrens

Patient Education

Selected Journal Articles

Selected Books/Chapters

Salzler MJ, Behrens SB, Bradley JP. "Post-Surgical Rehabilitation after Repair of Proximal Hamstring Avulsion." In Orthopaedic Rehabilitation of the Athlete: Getting Back in the Game. Reider B., Eds.; Elsevier: Philadelphia, 2015; 810-8.

Behrens SB, Kudsi OY, Kuntz CL. "Shortness of Breath." In Surgery: A Compentency-Based Companion. Mann, BD., Eds.; Saunders: Philadelphia, 2009; 338-47.

Selected Presentations

Behrens SB, Bemenderfer TB, Schipper, ON, Anderson, RB, Davis, WH. Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Revision Total Ankle Arthroplasty Using an Intramedullary-Referencing Implant. American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, Jul 2018.

Ward, PJ, Behrens SB, Anderson, RB, Ellington, JK, Davis, WH, Jones, CP, Cohen, BE. What Is the Rate of Recurrence of Peroneal Groove Deepening for Subluxation/Dislocation. American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, Jul 2018.

Bruce GB, Lee BJ, Behrens SB, Blaine TA, Green A. Early Complications in Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, Feb 2012. American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, 2011 Closed Meeting, Oct 2011.

Drakos M, Behrens SB, Paller DJ, Hoffman E, Koruprolu S, DiGiovanni, CW. A Biomechanical Analysis of Arthroscopic Versus Open Lateral Ligament Stabilization Procedures of the Ankle. International Federation of Foot & Ankle Societies, 4th Triennial Meeting, Nara, Japan, Sept 2011 (*e-mail meeting held secondary to earthquake). American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, Annual Summer Meeting, Keystone, CO, Jul 2011. American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, Jul 2011. Arthroscopy Association of North America, Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, Apr 2011.

Behrens SB, Drakos M, Lee BJ, Paller DJ, Hoffman E, Koruprolu S, DiGiovanni CW. A Biomechanical Analysis of Brostrom Versus Brostrom-Gould Lateral Ankle Instability Repairs. International Federation of Foot & Ankle Societies, 4th Triennial Meeting, Nara, Japan, Sept 2011 (*e-mail meeting held secondary to earthquake). American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, Annual Summer Meeting, Keystone, CO, Jul 2011. American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, Jul 2011.

Drakos M, Behrens S, Mulcahey MK, Paller D, DiGiovanni, C. Anatomic Safe Zone for Placement of Suture Anchors in Arthroscopic Repairs for Chronic Ankle Instability. American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, Annual Summer Meeting, Keystone, CO, Jul 2011. American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, Jul 2011. Arthroscopy Association of North America, Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, Apr 2011.

Hoffman E, Paller, D, Koruprolu S, Drakos M, Behrens S, Crisco J, DiGiovanni C. 3D Analysis of Ankle Stress Testing: How Accurate are Radiographs? American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, Annual Summer Meeting, Keystone, CO, Jul 2011. Orthopaedic Research Society, Annual Meeting, Long Beach, CA, Jan 2011.

Behrens SB, Paller D, Hoffman E, Heard W, Villarreal R, Fadale P, Monchik K. Insertion Torque and Load in a Biocomposite Interference Screw ACL Repair Model. Arthroscopy Association of North America, Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, Apr 2011.

Zonno AJ, Behrens SB, Bruce BG, Paller DJ, Green A. Transosseous Equivalent Rotator Cuff Repair: Biomechanical Evaluation of Initial Fixation Strength. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, Feb 2011.

Heard WMR, Villarreal R, Behrens SB, Paller DJ, Monchik KO, Fadale PD. Influence of Laceration and Interference Screw Fixation on Tensile Strength of Soft-Tissue ACL Grafts. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, Feb 2011.

Behrens SB, Paller DJ, Heard WMR, Villarreal R, Hoffman E, Fadale PD, Monchik K. Mechanical Properties of Soft Tissue Graft with Biocomposite Interference Screw Fixation Following ACL Revision. Orthopaedic Research Society, Annual Meeting, Long Beach, CA, Jan 2011.

Research

Research Interests

  • Fractures of the foot and ankle
  • Sports injuries of the foot and ankle, (i.e., cartilage, ligament, tendon)
  • Ankle arthroscopy
  • Ankle instability
  • Achilles injuries
  • Arthritis of the foot and ankle
  • Outcomes research

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

HSS has a long history of supporting appropriate relationships with industry because they advance HSS's mission to provide the highest quality patient care, improve patient mobility, and enhance the quality of life for all, and to advance the science of orthopedic surgery, rheumatology, and their related disciplines through research and education.

Below are the healthcare industry relationships reported by Dr. Behrens as of October 15, 2023.

  • Celling Biosciences, LLC - Consultant
  • Gramercy Extremity Orthopedics, LLC- Consultant
  • HS2, LLC - Ownership Interest
  • Johnson & Johnson, Inc. - Consultant
  • Medline Industries, Inc. - Consultant; Royalties
  • Panther Orthopedics, Inc. - Consultant

HSS and its physicians make this information available to patients and the public, thus creating a transparent environment for those who are interested in this information. Further, the HSS Conflicts of Interest and Commitment Policy prohibits physicians from collecting royalties on products they develop that are used on patients at HSS.

Patients should feel free to ask their HSS physicians questions about these relationships.