Patient Stories
Knee and shoulder injuries treated by Dr. Sabrina Strickland at the Hospital for Special Surgery — and the active lives her patients returned to. In their own words and on video.
Patient Video Stories
Each of these patients sat down on camera to share the injury, the surgery, and the return to the activities they love. Click any video to watch.
Jennifer
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. Strickland and Dr. Gomoll at HSS recommended a combined HTO (to create a protective gap in the joint) and ACL reconstruction. Watch her story.
Read & watch storyPaul
Arthroscopy, BMAC & MISHA Knee System
Told by two doctors to stop running due to arthritis, Paul wanted to avoid a partial knee replacement. Dr. Strickland offered a regenerative approach: arthroscopy + Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) for one knee, and the MISHA Knee System for the arthritic knee. He's back to running and all sports with no restrictions.
Read & watch storyLiam
MPFL Reconstruction Surgery
Liam had experienced a lifetime of kneecap dislocations. An avid hockey player, he needed a solution. After MPFL reconstruction surgery he's back to hockey. Watch his video to learn about his success story.
Read & watch storyPeyton Ely
Tibial Tubercle Transfer · Patella
After more than two years of constant kneecap pain with no real diagnosis, NJ competitive dancer Peyton Ely came to Dr. Strickland — and was back to dancing in 4 months pain-free following a tibial tubercle transfer.
Read & watch storySeyward Darby
"Full Knee Makeover" — TTO + MPFL Reconstruction
As a teenager, Seyward was told her chronic knee dislocations were unfixable, but years later, on the cusp of her wedding, she found hope with Dr. Strickland. A “full knee makeover” — including a tibial tubercle osteotomy and an MPFL reconstruction — not only stabilized her knee but allowed her to walk and dance on her wedding day.
Read & watch storyAnne Marie
Patellofemoral Replacement
A former group exercise instructor, Anne Marie was experiencing significant knee pain. After non-surgical treatments to try to resolve her issues, she chose patellofemoral replacement surgery — a partial knee replacement addressing the pain in the front of her knee — and is back to teaching classes feeling “like she has the knees of a twenty year old.”
Read & watch storyDenise
ACL Reconstruction (skiing injury)
Denise was flying down the mountain at Killington when she hit a patch of ice. After ACL reconstruction surgery with Dr. Strickland, Denise is back in the game doing what she loves.
Read & watch storyNicholas
Meniscus Repair + ACL Reconstruction (Amtrak wreck)
Nicholas was a passenger in the wreck of Amtrak 188. After a meniscus repair, ACL reconstruction, and months of physical therapy, he now has 100% range of motion returned to his knee.
Read & watch storyJoseph
MPFL Reconstruction & TTO (skiing accident)
Joseph shares a skiing accident that led him to see Dr. Strickland for an MPFL reconstruction and tibial tubercle osteotomy at the Hospital for Special Surgery. His success story is about the team who helped him get back to doing whatever he wants.
Read & watch storyMark
Subpectoral Bicep Tenodesis (shoulder)
Mark tried to exercise every day but was injured while changing a tire. Concerned about his ability to be active in sports, he had a subpectoral bicep tenodesis with Dr. Strickland and was able to return to his active lifestyle.
Read & watch storyWritten Patient Testimonials
Patients who shared their full recovery story for the Hospital for Special Surgery's Back in the Game series. Click any patient to read their story in full.
Patient Story
Gillis Frechette
NYC Marathon finisher
TTO + Osteochondral Allograft Patella
“I ran the NYC Marathon this past Sunday — something before the surgery I NEVER thought I would be able to accomplish.”
Read full storyPatient Story
Avery
Young athlete · Knee instability since age 8
Bilateral MPFL Reconstruction + TTO
Severe bilateral patellar misalignment with both kneecaps sitting more than 10mm out of place — staged correction across two years (2018–2020).
Read full storyPatient Story
Carrie Craig
Brooklyn, NY
Biceps Tendon Repair
“I came to Dr. Strickland with a completely immobile arm, unable to put a shirt on by myself. Today I am 100% back doing Pilates, weights, yoga and push-ups — less than a year later.”
Read full storyPatient Story
Rachel Schechter
New York, NY
ACL Reconstruction
“A year after surgery I was even able to hike the Inca Trail, a 26-mile 4-day hike with a lot of elevation gain. My knee had no issues throughout the hike.”
Read full storyPatient Story
Rhona Chambers
New York, NY
Meniscus Root Repair
“I have 10 Ironman triathlon finishes and many marathons under my belt. I'm currently 5 months post-op and can run 6 miles no problem.”
Read full storyBring your imaging and a clear question to a sub-specialty consultation with Dr. Strickland — in-person at HSS in NYC, or via telehealth.
Enter your question below and a representative will get right back to you.