Advice for ortho (knee specialist) in VT?

[birdman829]

So my season ended on 12/30 skiing icy groomers at Cannon. I popped off a cat track and landed awkwardly with my left leg almost fully extended. My knee hyperextended and I felt a pop and yada yada yada. So after a couple visits to an orthopedist down in Massachusetts and an MRI, I find out my ACL is torn (but no meniscus damage, just a bone bruise in the knee area).

Great, that's kinda what I expected but it still sucks to actually hear for sure. The doc says I need reconstructive ACL surgery and the works. Two problems though: 1. The doc is in MA and I'm in VT, and 2. I don't particularly like the guy anyways.

So does anyone know of a good knee doc in the Burlington area? Also, as far as scheduling surgery goes, I can't afford to be layed up and miss class so March break (March 7-15) is probably the earliest I could get it done. So should I stay up here and get it done then or see someone in the Boston area around that time?

[becks]

hey so im not sure if this guys still around burlington/mad river valley but my mom broke her leg/knee a couple years ago and saw robert johnson.. supposed to be like the best of the best and conveniently (i think) located by you. he was at the sugarbush clinic and i think he does some traveling to other hospitals and whatnot.. not sure, but she had great things to say about him and apparently so has everyone else. so, look into it maybe.

[Vinman]

In Burlington the guys to see would be Dr. Cladue Nichols or Dr. James Slauterbeck. If you don't mind driving to Rutland Dr. Mel Boynton is one of the best and has fixed many world class knees. In Lamoille Co. Dr. Bryan Huber has an excellent reputation.

[Woodlandclown]

I heard that doc in Rutland is awesome.

Lake Placid Sports Medicine--Dr Byrne was awesome. Not too far away. They are busy though, so not sure they could get you in quickly.

Good luck.

[birdman829]

Thanks for the advice guys. I looked around and did some research and ended up going with Dr. Bertram Zarins out of Mass General. The guy's supposed to be pretty good, and I have my first appointment with him on Monday morning. Surgery is tentatively scheduled for March 6th so I can spend my spring break laying on the couch doped up on percocet :rolleyes:

[cold_smoke]

Does an ortho with the last name Holmes still practice in Rutvegas? He was the shit when I was a kid.

[Crock]

Also recommend Mel Boyton in Rutland. He fixed my knee in June, and I have nothing but praise for the guy. Excellent surgeon.

[snoweater]

3rd on Boynton. He diagnosed mine a few years back, didn't do the surgery due to doc friend in DC area, but he was awesome and i've heard lotsa good things from racers, bumpers, etc from k-town.

[nancie2k]

had a tibial plateau fracture, it was so bad Boynton would not touch it. After a week in Rutland, had to go to new york Hospital for special surgeries. He applied an external fixator which had to be moved lower when I got to NY.
I guess kudos for knowing he was over his head.

[Werper]

I have a tibial plateau fracture where the cartilage got compressed. I don't know how bad it is. Saw the doctors in vermont got an mri and cat scan done. I set up an appointment to get a second opinion from Dr. Boynton. Any suggestions or feedback would be appreciated.

[nancie2k]

it was 3 years ago, but boynton was at least smart enough at the time to tell me he would not touch it. the bone was splintered and the leg was swollen to the size of a telephone pole. they found Dr. Helfet in NY who did the surgery. I don't know anthing about what a compressed cartilage would entail. Best of luck!!! I was in Rutland for a week, an HSS for 3. He had fixed my husband's broken leg a few years earlier, with a rod. He liked him.