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Katherine B. Vadasdi, MD
Katherine B. Vadasdi, MD, is the Director of the ONS Women's Sports Medicine Center and an orthopedic surgeon who is fellowship trained in adolescent and adult sports medicine as well as shoulder and elbow surgery.
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Frances Sacripanti, a local personal trainer in New Canaan, was no stranger to dealing with injuries when she tore her ACL playing tennis.
“The moment that I did it, I knew what happened” recalled Frances, who had torn the ACL in her other knee 20 years prior. When she tried to stand up, she immediately realized she was not stable.
Her husband took her to ONS where she ended up in the office of Katherine B. Vadasdi, MD, Director of the ONS Women’s Sports Medicine Center.
“I instantly felt a strong connection to her because she’s an active mom like myself. It was like talking to a good friend who’s also an expert,” said Frances, who told Dr. Vadasdi that she wanted to have the surgery as soon as possible.
Frances was determined to return to her active lifestyle – outside of being a personal trainer, she enjoys playing tennis, golf and running around with her two kids.
A week later, Frances underwent surgery at the Stamford Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC): “I was treated with such care there. The experience was really fantastic – the nurses and everyone are incredible”.
The first time Frances tore her ACL, she was a teenager. This time, her goal was to go back to being an active mom, however she didn’t want to be treated any differently. “I wanted to be approached the same way as someone who is trying to get back to competitive sports. I wasn’t just trying to walk normally. I felt like Dr. Vadasdi understood that about me and gave me a lot of confidence. I fully trusted her,” she said.
Following her outpatient procedure, Frances went home that day and appreciated Dr. Vadasdi checking in that night and the following days: “I didn’t feel stranded, I felt in touch.”
She strongly believes that the mental, social and emotional support is just as important as the surgery itself. “Between my physical therapists at NOLA and ONS doctors, I feel like I have my team,” said Frances, who noted that since ACL rehabilitations are long (typically lasting 9-12 months), the timeline can feel daunting for an active person. “Having a solid team around you is everything in recovery.”
Her experience also gave her a new perspective of her job. “It was humbling to start over again; it gave me another window into being a novice again,” Frances explained. “It was a good reminder of the kind of care you have to give others.”
Now, Frances is 10 months out and just played her first round of golf (and won!). She is looking forward to getting back to tennis this summer and wants to try playing ice hockey in the winter.
“It’s so important to find a doctor who also believes in the importance of health, movement and longevity,” she said. “That’s what I got from Dr. Vadasdi and ONS. If you go to her, you can have the confidence that you are going to go back to the things you love and even try new things.”
