Patient Testimonials

My first experience with Dr. David Matusz started with my husband, Larry Rispoli. Dr. Matusz performed an extensive and complex spine surgery on Larry on May 3, 2021. Larry’s surgery was a tremendous success. Larry had severe back pain for at least 40 years and was told by numerous physicians never to have spine surgery. We then had the pleasure of being referred to Dr. Matusz and that changed Larry’s life, he is now pain free thanks to the expertise of Dr. Matusz.

Little did I know that I would soon need spine surgery myself. Dr. Matusz performed my spine surgery on November 22, 2021 which was also quite complex. Dr. Matusz is the most compassionate, caring, humble and kind doctor I have ever met. I have worked in the medical field and for various doctors and have never met or dealt with any doctor that compares to Dr. Matusz. Larry and I will be forever grateful that we have been fortunate and blessed to have been referred to Dr. Matusz. Dr. Matusz treats you like family, he makes you feel comfortable and at ease, he explains everything in detail and answers all your questions and concerns.

We would also like to acknowledge Liz Fuccillo, Dr. Matusz’s PA. Liz is also extremely caring and compassionate in attending to our needs and Liz continues to help us throughout our post op visits and needs.

We would also like to acknowledge Natasha Hosain, Dr. Matusz’s surgical coordinator. We have had the pleasure of speaking with Natasha on numerous occasions between Larry’s surgery and my own surgery. We cannot say enough about Natasha, she helped us in so many ways throughout our surgeries and continues to help us in our post-op visits.

We are so grateful to Dr. Matusz and his exceptional team. Thank you for all you have done for us and continue to do.

Dr. Elguizaoui & his staff at New York Orthopedics are a cut above the rest. The staff was welcoming and polite. They were also extremely professional. I'm a 44-year-old man who has a very active lifestyle with a wife and two kids who enjoys the outdoors and sports. I ruptured my patella tendon playing soccer with my daughter in my left knee and at my age, I felt that I will not be able to return to my old self. Dr. E explained to me what exactly to expect during and after surgery. He made me feel comfortable during our consultation he also answered all my questions. Thanks to Dr. E and his team I'm back to my old self better than before and back on the soccer field with my daughter. If your looking for a knowledgeable sport orthopedic doctor who genuinely cares this is the doctor.

Thank You Dr. E.

In 2018, I felt some pain, partial loss of mobility and felt a small lump on my thumb. I had shown my thumb to my existing doctors thinking it was a result of other medical issues. I was then referred to Dr. Sapienza by my GP and he walked me through the results of the x-ray, what the images meant, treatment options and implications of each. I appreciated how he translated his deep knowledge to a level anyone can understand. It helped me make an informed decision.

On top of his medical skills and knowledge, Dr. Sapienza is one of the most, if not the most compassionate and kind physician I have ever met. Post-surgery, when I was feeling some pain and I was unsure if it was normal or not, he promptly returned my call, explained to me what was causing the pain and provided the opportunity for me to consult with him at any time if the pain continues to bother me.

I never felt like just a number when I consult with Dr Sapienza. He has also been helpful when I get very worried about my other medical issues which is extremely comforting as it is rare to find a doctor concerned about your overall health and well-being. People say patient's positive attitude help in any medical issue but I think physician's encouragement, concern and guidance are huge factors too. All I can really say is I am grateful and thank you, Dr. Sapienza.

I have known Dr. Nicholas for many years. I approached him about lower back pain and he asked me to see his colleague Dr. David Matusz. Dr. Matusz examined and diagnosed me and put me on a comprehensive program which involved treatment from Dr. Chris Riegler and a physical therapist along with medication. Dr. Riegler gave me 3 or 4 injections. He obviously hit the right spot because I have been pain-free ever since. Many thanks to Drs. Nicholas, Matusz and Riegler. They are the best team in New York.

Dr. Bedford,
I want to make sure you know how much I appreciate the fantastic work you did on my knee revisions.  Actually, “revision” doesn’t say it; on my full knee replacements. 
My story began with a disastrous outcome from an original bilateral knee replacement 14 months ago with another surgeon, to the dramatic recovery I am now experiencing from your work.  Both of my knees are far better now than at any time during the postoperative period after the initial replacement, and it’s a huge relief.  I was beginning to wonder if I was going to have knee pain the rest of my life, I know now that will not be the case and that there can be a happy ending to this story. 
My appreciation for your professional approach, revision planning and execution are hard for me to express.  "Amazing" and "life-changing" come to mind but don’t seem to be compelling enough to describe what you have done for me. 
If there is ever an opportunity for me to share my experience with others, please let me know, I would be happy to do so. Although it hardly seems to express my full gratitude, I’ll end by saying the only thing that makes sense…  Thank you.

While I thanked you (Dr. Bedford) in person after my arthroscopic surgery, I wanted to also write to you and your team about how well cared for I was, beginning with the initial exam by you. I saw and felt immediately your compassion and your knowledge, which you were able to explain clearly. You also took your time answering all my questions.

At first I thought it would be a real pain to have to go to other locations for some of my tests, but everything was so close-by and so well co-ordinated timewise, that I was greatly relieved. At those places as well, for the MRI, the pre-op physical and the chest xray, the staff was very efficient and friendly, which helped diminish the stress of going through the entire process.

Then surgery morning I had a very caring experience with you and your team at Surgicare, again being very knowledge, careful and friendly. This care was also extended to my son, who accompanied me there. He felt as calm as one can feel in that situation, because everyone communicated with him during the pre-op procedure and throughout the steps of my surgery, reassuring him with good information at each step of my procedure. That meant so much to me and to him, which is why I included the ‘selfie’ of us, which he took while I'm inside the heat blanket warming up while the anesthesia was wearing off.

My sister used to be a surgical nurse, and she was so impressed by what I just described. She kept saying: “It’s fantastic how quickly and thoroughly things are moving forward.”

Presently I’m on day two of post-op feeling quite good! This morning I got great follow-up phone calls from your office as well as Surgicare. Of course it’s the professional thing to do, but not all places follow through this way, and the compassion that is inherent in that act gives one confidence that all is well and that there is support if needed.

I had a torn meniscus in my right knee. Dr. Sergai DeLaMora did arthroscopic surgery on it and I walked out walking better than when I walked in with just using a cane. Afterward he gave me a series of injections which all but eliminated my pain. That was 3 years ago and I've been playing softball, hockey and basketball and I'm 55 years old. I can't thank him enough.

To my friend Steve Nicholas – I recalled that when your dad and I met I had suffered a neck injury and had to go to Lenox Hill for traction ordered by the great James Nicholas. I felt privileged because I befriended many former patients at that time, including Joe Namath, Willis Reed, Tucker Fredrickson and many Jets players. Dr. James Nicholas’ immense skills were matched by his compassion and care for professional athletes whose careers were based on physical well-being. Dr. Nicholas was our "Go-To Guy."

I have had the good fortune to have been associated with the Nicholas family for over 50 years, since Dr. Jim Nicholas attended to me prior to my rookie year with the New York Jets. The creative skills, professionalism and dedication of Dr. Jim provided me the opportunity to extend my career long beyond my greatest expectations. Dr. Nicholas’ dedication to excellence is perpetuated in the person of my dear friend, Dr. Stephen Nicholas.

I arrived in NY on August 6. During my travel that day I hurt my shoulder and by night it was very painful. In the wee hours of August 7 I made a list of all the orthopedic doctors in the area and in the morning began calling to try to find help. I left a message before opening hours at several different offices. Your office called back right away, offering a spot immediately. Not only that, but within ten minutes of my arrival time, Dr. Ackerman saw me. He did an efficient consult, we took x-rays, I got a cortisone shot, went to East River Medical Imaging, returned to the office for pain meds (at my request) – all before noon. Dr. Ackerman then called me a few hours later with the MRI result and we talked about what I could and couldn’t do about my shoulder...I can honestly say it’s the best orthopedic experience I’ve ever had (and this isn’t my first ortho rodeo by a long shot). We got done in one morning what often takes days or weeks to accomplish, which matters tremendously when you’re in pain, especially when far from home.