As I mentioned in previous posts about my injuries, I have felt very blessed and have felt the hand and presence of a loving Father in Heaven watching over me during my struggles with this injury. On the topic of divine providence, let me tell you just a bit about my orthopedist. His name is Dr. Matthew Hansen, and this is what he looks like.
He saw me Monday, March 17th, 2008, and immediately had me admitted to Mercy Gilbert Hospital. He reconstructed my elbow the next day. Most orthopedists specialize in knees and hips. That is an orthopedist's bread and butter. I just happened to stumble into an orthopedist that specializes in elbows and shoulders. I asked my hospital doctor about Dr. Hansen. He told me how recently a man injured his elbow in Los Angeles. The doctors in Los Angeles determined that his elbow was very messed up. So much so, that there was no one there qualified to fix it. This gentleman was sent to my orthopedist as one of the few people qualified to do this kind of elbow surgery.
Dr. Hansen just recently moved here. If this injury had occured a month earlier, I'm not sure who would've performed the reconstruction, but I'm grateful that it was Dr. Hansen.
Dr. Hansen works for the Core Institute. From their website I was able to see his bio. It reads as follows:
"Dr. Matthew Hansen is a Board Eligible specialist in Orthopedic Sports Medicine and shoulder and elbow reconstruction. Dr. Hansen recently completed fellowship training at the distinguished Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, California. He was privileged to be mentored by renowned surgeon Dr. Frank Jobe, team surgeon for the LA Dodgers, who invented Tommy John surgery of the elbow (ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction).
During his fellowship at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, Dr. Hansen worked in conjunction with team surgeons providing care for the LA Dodgers, the LA Lakers, and the LA Angels of Anaheim. He also worked with the LA Kings, the LA Sparks, the LA Galaxy, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and USC football.
He is dedicated to providing the highest quality care to athletes of all ages and all levels, from recreational to professional.
Dr. Hansen specializes in: Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, advanced shoulder and elbow surgery, including arthroscopic rotator cuff and labrum repair, shoulder replacement, elbow arthroscopy, elbow replacement, elbow ligament reconstruction, knee ligament reconstruction (ACL and PCL), and cartilage restoration.
Dr. Hansen’s educational achievements include graduating with distinction from Cornell University and receiving his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Utah School of Medicine. He was selected for the prestigious Hospital for Special Surgery Orthopaedic Surgery Residency in New York City and internship at The New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell Medical Center.
He is a member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and a candidate member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). He is also an active member of the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS).
Dr. Hansen is active in academic medicine and research. He has authored and co-authored several orthopedic articles and publications. He is performing cutting-edge research in shoulder and elbow biomechanics and athletic performance at the SHRI-CORE Orthopedic Research Labs at The CORE Institute.
Dr. Hansen was honored as a 1992-93 NJCAA Academic All-American in basketball. He continues to enjoy sports and outdoor recreation with his family."
Dr. Hansen's physician assistant was Mike Chieco.
His bio reads as follows:
"The CORE Institute® is proud to have Michael Chieco, PA-C as part of our distinguished clinical faculty. Michael is a physician assistant who is certified in orthopedic surgery, internal and pulmonary medicine, as well as rehabilitation medicine. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to The CORE Institute®.
Michael received his Bachelor of Science degree at the College of Staten Island-City University of New York. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree, Michael went on to study at Sisters of Charity Health Care System in Staten Island, New York.
Michael achieved the Dean’s List status and held this throughout the Baccalaureate Program at the College of Staten Island. Additionally, he was awarded the Presidential Scholarship as well as the Charles Bavetta Scholarship. His dedication to his studies was shown throughout his college career.
Michael has been in the Valley of the Sun since September of 2006. He enjoys playing golf among many other sports."
Yeah, I've got to say, I think that I was in pretty good hands.
I was in the hospital for seven days. Dr. Hansen visited me every single day. Not only is he a brilliant surgeon, but he is genuinely concerned about the patients under his care. Before discharging me from the hospital, he made sure that I was set up for in-home physical therapy. I'm forty three, which means I should have about half of my life left, and he wants to make sure that I can still use my left arm.
As mentioned above, here comes the pictures of my reconstructed elbow. Thank you Dr. Hansen for having put me back together so well.
Ouch! I had to do some digging around to read how this happened. Thanks for sharing. I'm sorry you had to suffer through this and am glad that things turned out OK. You are a lucky and blessed man both for having the help of a competent doctor and a loving, caring wife.
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