Dr. Gerard Girasole implementation of a new surgical nerve block to treat pain and reduce the need for opiates after surgery was the topic of a recent segment on WTNH News 8.
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At Connecticut Orthopaedics, there is nothing more important than the health and well-being of our patients, employees and community. As part of our commitment to protecting our Sports Therapy | Rehab patients from airborne transmission of viruses, including coronavirus, we have installed the Novaerus Air Disinfection System at all of our Sports Therapy | Rehab locations. If you would like to learn more about how this system works, please click the image below.
Kristin Sandrowski, MD is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon specializing in Upper Extremity Surgery focusing on the hand, wrist and elbow. Kristin graduated from Trumbull High School and went on to attend New York University where she graduated with a double major in biology and political science. She earned her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha, Hobart Amory Hare and George McClellan Surgical Honor Societies.
Dr. Sandrowski completed her Residency at The Rothman Institute in Philadelphia, a top five nationally ranked orthopaedic department that provides care for the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, and 76ers. Dr. Sandrowski then completed an additional year of advanced fellowship training in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. There she learned a number of advanced techniques in Upper Extremity surgery including wide-awake surgery, nerve surgery, arthroscopy, arthroplasty and complex reconstruction.
She will be seeing patients in four different offices:
- Fairfield – 1055 Post Rd.
- Shelton – 330 Bridgeport Ave.
- Trumbull – 888 White Plains Rd.
- Westport – 1800 Post Road East
In addition to seeing patients at those four locations, Dr. Sandrowski will also be utilizing the Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute at St. Vincents Medical Center as well as a surgical center in Milford, CT.
Did you know social distancing for running is greater than standing still? When standing it is recommended to stay 6 feet apart from people, while running can be 10 times that number (60ft.) without a mask.
Why? The physics of small particles in moving air is different. Running toward the person in front of you increases the contact with the particles at longer distances pending your speed. That faster you run the more space you need. Just like cars, stopping distances go up the faster you go.
THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED REGULARLY AS NEW INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
UPDATED AS OF: 11/1/2020
At Connecticut Orthopaedics, there is nothing more important than the health and well-being of our patients, employees and community. During this time of uneasiness, as Coronavirus impacts our daily lives, we want to assure you that we remain committed to providing the high quality and compassionate care you have come to expect from your caregivers at Connecticut Orthopaedics. We are here for you.
In accordance with the latest CDC guidelines, we ask that all patients please wear protective cloth face coverings to all appointments. Click here for updated guidelines.
- For CO Urgent Care/Walk-In hours click here. For pre-registration, questions or inquiries call – 203.678.2402
- ALL office locations are now open.
- In an effort to ensure timely and safe care for our patients, CO is offering telehealth visits for those patients who are unable to come to the office. To learn more click here.
We know you have questions and we hope the following will answer your questions as well as provide peace of mind. These Q&As will be updated regularly as the situation changes and new questions surface.
If you have a question that is not answered below, please do not hesitate to call us.
Q: WHAT IS CONNECTICUT ORTHOPAEDICS DOING TO KEEP PATIENTS AND STAFF SAFE?
A: Our primary focus at Connecticut Orthopaedics continues to be our commitment to the well-being of our patients, staff and the community we serve. For your safety, we have customized protocols based on the latest CDC guidelines and reworked the patient experience to limit exposure. To view a safety message from Dr. Patrick Ruwe, the President of Connecticut Orthopaedics, click here.
The following office procedures have been put in place to protect our patients and staff members:
- Patients will be asked screening questions upon scheduling an appointment. Those same questions will be asked again on day of appointment to ensure there have been no changes.
- Patients and staff are required to wear a mask at all times upon entering the building.
- Remote check-in is now available. Patients may remain in their vehicle or outside until we are ready to receive them for their appointment.
- Preemptive patient screening, temperature checks will be taken for anyone entering our clinics and operatories – all patients, visitors, employees, and providers.
- If someone has a temperature of 99°F, he or she will be asked to wait 24hrs and monitor their temperature to see if it increases.
- If it is 85°F or hotter outside and a patient’s temperature is 99°F or higher, a 10-15 min. cool down period will be given before temperature is taken again.
- If temperature is still 99°F or higher, patient will not be seen.
- If temperature lowers, then patient will be able to be seen.
- Patients will be asked to wash their hands when upon entering the exam room.
- Greater time is being allowed between patients to reduce contact time with others.
- Increased cleaning in our offices, waiting and exam rooms. We will be paying close attention to areas that are touched frequently, such as doorknobs.
- Hand sanitizer available throughout our offices for use as needed.
- Any Connecticut Orthopaedic providers or team members who meet any of the CDC exposure guidelines above will be required to follow the CDC guidelines for testing and quarantine.
- As appropriate, Connecticut Orthopaedics has made arrangements for non-clinic staff to work from home as our way to help limit exposure and slow the spread of the virus.
- We are limiting travel and face-to-face meetings for all employees.
Q: WHAT IF I TRAVELED OUT OF CONNECTICUT RECENTLY?
A: If you have traveled to a “hotspot”, one of the states listed on the Governor’s Travel Advisory listing https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/travel within the last 14 days, you will be required to self-quarantine at home for a full 14 days from the date that you returned to CT prior to being seen for an appointment in one of our offices.
Q: I’M NOT FEELING WELL. SHOULD I STILL COME FOR MY APPOINTMENT?
A: If you’re not feeling well, we strongly encourage you to reschedule your appointment. However, if your orthopaedic situation is urgent, please call us in advance so we may be prepared. For non-urgent appointments, rescheduling plays a significant role in helping to slow the spread of any virus whether it is Coronavirus or the flu. Most importantly, if you reschedule, you WILL NOT be charged a missed visit fee.
Q: IS IT OKAY TO BRING SOMEONE WITH ME TO MY APPOINTMENT?
A: To keep everyone safe and protected, we are working to minimize the number of people coming into our clinics and operatories. We are asking that only the person being seen for the appointment be present in the building and that family members/friends/drivers wait outside or in a vehicle. There will be an exception made if the patient is a minor or requires a translator. For any other circumstance, please call the office prior to your appointment.
Q: MY PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR CONSIDERS ME TO BE A HIGH-RISK PATIENT, BUT I DON’T FEEL SICK. SHOULD I RESCHEDULE?
A: First and most importantly, if your orthopaedic situation is urgent, please call us in advance so we may prepare and provide the appropriate guidance. Your well-being is our priority. However, the CDC recommends rescheduling your appointment if you meet one of the following criteria:
- You have symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, or shortness of breath) or have been in close contact with someone who has symptoms
- You know you have been exposed to COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone who has been exposed
- You have recently traveled to China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy or any country in Europe including Britain, Ireland and Scotland or have been in close contact with someone who has traveled there
- You are a high-risk patient* (*defined by CDC as older adults – 60 years or older – or if you have chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes or lung disease)
Please reschedule your appointment and remember, you WILL NOT be charged a missed visit fee.
Q: HOW WILL I KNOW IF THERE IS A CHANGE TO MY CARE SCHEDULE – CONSULTATION APPOINTMENT, SURGERY, FOLLOW-UP OR PHYSICAL THERAPY?
A: First, you are always welcome to call us with any questions about your care or care schedule. But, rest assured we will be proactive in all communications related to your care.
Q: WHERE CAN I GET UPDATED INFORMATION FROM CONNECTICUT ORTHOPAEDICS?
A: We are offering several sources for updated information.
- This Q&A page will continue to be updated regularly.
- Follow us on your favorite social media channels – Facebook and Instagram – for updates
Q: ARE THERE THINGS I SHOULD BE DOING THAT COULD BE HELPFUL DURING THIS TIME?
A: If you have health concerns beyond orthopaedic care, we strongly suggest you talk with your primary care provider. We continue to encourage our patients, employees, friends and family to practice safe and simple behaviors being recommended by the CDC (www.cdc.gov/COVID19) and WHO (https://www.who.int/).
- Wash your hands (two “Happy Birthday” verses)
- Avoid placing your hands on your face, mouth, nose or eyes
- If soap and water are not readily available use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Limit your exposure to large crowds
A Manchester, CT native, Dr. Eric M. Padegimas joins Connecticut Orthopaedics as a Shoulder and Elbow doctor. He has a specific focus and interests in shoulder & elbow replacement, rotator cuff repair, management of shoulder instability and arthroscopy of the shoulder & elbow.
Dr. Padegimas completed his undergraduate education at Dartmouth College, followed by completing medical school at Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Padegimas’ residency training took place at The Rothman Institute in Philadelphia, a top five nationally ranked orthopaedic department that provides care for the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, and 76ers.
Following completion of his residency, Dr. Padegimas was chosen to stay on at the Rothman Institute pursuing an additional year of advanced fellowship training in shoulder and elbow reconstructive surgery. The renowned Rothman Institute in Philadelphia is the highest volume shoulder replacement center in the United States. There he learned a number of advanced techniques in shoulder and elbow reconstruction and arthroscopic/sports applications to the shoulder and elbow.
Dr. Padegimas is seeing patients in the following offices:
- Hamden – 2416 Whitney Ave
- Guilford – 450 Boston Post Rd
- Shelton – 889 Bridgeport Ave
- Wallingford – 701 North Colony Rd
In addition to seeing patients at those four locations, Dr. Padegimas will also be utilizing the Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute at MidState Medical Center as well as our surgical center in Branford, CT.
Dr. Stephen Nelson is a Connecticut native who joins Connecticut Orthopaedics as a Joint Replacement & Reconstruction doctor. Dr. Nelson recently completed an additional year of advanced training as an Adult Total Joint Reconstruction Fellow at the University of Virginia.
Dr. Nelson attended Wheaton College (IL) where he graduated cum laude. He earned his medical degree from the University of Connecticut where he was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. He went on to complete his surgical internship and orthopaedic residency at the Yale University School of Medicine. As chief resident, he served as a clinical instructor of orthopaedics for the Yale School of Medicine.
Dr. Nelson believes in a patient-centered care model. He specializes in using the direct anterior approach for hip replacement surgery, which is a minimally invasive technique that is proven to substantially increase speed of the healing process. He also has clinical interests in complex revision hip and knee arthroplasty as well as orthopaedic trauma and fracture care.
He will be seeing patients in four different offices:
- Hamden – 2416 Whitney Ave
- Milford – 258 South Broad St
- Shelton – 889 Bridgeport Ave
- Wallingford – 701 North Colony Rd
In addition to seeing patients at those four locations, Dr. Nelson will also be utilizing the Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute at MidState Medical Center as well as our surgical center in Branford, CT.
Dr. Jeeten Singha is more than a Foot & Ankle Surgeon. He’s a compassionate, intelligent medical professional who not only takes great pride in his work but, cares about each and every one of his patients on a personal level. One patient stated, “It was like talking to a friend who knew everything about my ankle.” Another added, “He was really funny and actually made me feel really comfortable.” Communication and comfort are two areas where Dr. Singha sets the bar very high.
Fun Fact: Dr. Singha was a former nationally ranked tennis player, attending college on a tennis scholarship where he was a 4 time NCAA All-American!
Who better to treat an athlete than a former athlete himself? The fact that Dr. Singha was an athlete gives him an advantage. He knows first-hand just how devastating a sports injury can be.
His primary goal is getting patients on their feet quickly, so they can get back to their active lifestyles. From pediatric patients to professional athletes and even weekend warriors – Dr. Jeeten Singha is your go-to provider for foot and ankle care.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeeten Singha in one of his office locations:
- 469 West Main Street, Branford
- 9 Washington Avenue, Hamden
- 30 Commerce Park, Milford
Did you spot your favorite Connecticut Orthopaedics (CO) employee out walking on June 1st?
At CO we care about the wellbeing of our patients, our community and ourselves. CO offers employees the opportunity to participate in the CO Wellness Program. The wellness committee’s focus is to provide a multiple prong approach towards wellness and engage employees in programs that affect all areas of their wellbeing, including but not limited to: physical activity, financial, social, community, nutrition, health and stress.
On June 1st, 2019 the CO Wellness Program hosted their 1st annual Family & Friends Walk-A-Thon. Over 200 participants attended. The goal of this event was to raise funds and awareness for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) while promoting wellness.
As a team, CO employees raised over $5000 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. That’s over 65 hours of Breast Cancer research!
This fun-filled day consisted of music, prizes, giveaways, smiles and of course a lot of walking! Congratulations to some of our prize winners:
- Team with the Largest Donation: Surgical Center
- Team with the Most Laps Walked: Sarah’s Soldiers
- Team with the Best Shirts: Breast Friends
A special thank you to all of our generous sponsors and donors that made this event possible:
FastSigns, The Andriole Group, PROforma, Mosaic, Vera Bradley, Trimino Protein Infused Water, All Custom Wear, WB Mason, ACBI Insurance, Sun Life Financial, Anthem BCBS, BCRF and Stony Creek.
For more information about BCRF visit: bcrf.org
It’s with great sadness that we announce the passing of our friend and partner – John M. Aversa, MD
It’s been said that Dr. John Aversa embodied all the best qualities of a Doctor. He was empathetic, inquisitive and had tireless dedication to his patients and the welfare of his colleagues. He was a magnet of warmth and a first-class physician.
As one of the original partners and a long-time president of our board, his vision and leadership helped shape our company in every conceivable way. It’s not a stretch to say that without his leadership, there wouldn’t be a COS today. Along the way, John won many hearts and minds – amongst his partners, co-workers and the community. He also helped to significantly grow our group by recruiting the best Orthopaedic physicians and facilitating several mergers and partnerships. He truly was a visionary.
The Heart and Soul of Connecticut Orthopaedic Specialists – he will be deeply missed.