PATIENT TESTIMONIALS

I went to see Dr. Rottenberg in Sept 2018, to get a second opinion for my problem. My problem started about a year ago, in April 2018, when I started having pain in the ball of my right foot when walking. Before the pain started, I had been ramping up jogging and extending my walks. The pain started to build up gradually, and initially I thought it was a normal result of exercising more. Finally I realized I was having pain during a simple walk, and the pain was not going away but growing. My foot was swollen and I was in a lot of pain.

The first doctor I saw diagnosed my condition as a possible neuroma, somewhere between my 2nd and 3rd toes. He subsequently gave me a set of cortisone injections, and anti-inflammatory medication. The pain did not go away, neither did my swelling. After the injections, the 3rd toe became a hammer toe. Finally after an MRI test showed no evidence of neuroma, the doctor concluded this was now a chronic condition, and no further treatment other than a foot insert was available.

Since I was still in pain and with a swollen foot, a friend of mine recommended I go see Dr. Rottenberg for a second opinion. My friend had been treated by Dr. Rottenberg previously, and she had a very good experience. The first thing Dr. Rottenberg did when she saw my foot and heard my story, was to place my leg in a hard boot, for 2 weeks. After that, my foot was still somewhat swollen, but the pain had subsided. To further reduce the swelling, she recommended a few sessions of Laser therapy, which I took over the next few weeks. This treatment helped reduce the swelling quite significantly.

After all this, with the pain and swelling reduced, we were able to pin-point an area in the ball of my foot that was still hurting pretty badly. Dr. Rottenberg started to suspect the root issue may be a plantar plate problem, particularly under the 3rd toe. We sent the MRI for a re-read with a focus on the plantar plate. Sure enough, the MRI was showing I had a plantar plate tear. That explained why the pain was not going away.

She gave me two options: surgery to fix the tear in the plantar plate, or a fitted shoe insert that may help alleviate the pain, but the tear was not expected to heal on its own. I chose surgery because I needed to actually fix the problem. It was an outpatient surgery, which Dr. Rottenberg performed. The surgery was in mid-Jan and went very well. Recovery involved wearing a boot for about 3 weeks, followed by sport shoes. I tried to rest my feet as much as I could to allow the body to heal. My 3rd toe where the surgery was done was swollen after the surgery, so I took a few more Laser sessions to bring the swelling down.

I am now about 2 ½ months after the surgery, and am able to walk in normal shoes, although still only flats. My 3rd toe is still a bit crooked and has still not fully come back to its previous shape. I am not sure it will ever look the same.. But it can bend without pain, and it does not look too bad. At last I can finally walk without pain, and I am extending my walks every week. It will take more time to fully recover to the state I was before these problems started, but I think I am making good progress.

I am very grateful to Dr. Rottenberg, who patiently listened to my description of the condition, accurately diagnosed my problem and provided the right course of treatment at every step.

Many thanks to Dr. Rottenberg !

- Dana C

I came into Dr. Rottenberg's office with a bunion and expecting to do surgery, which I recently completed. From the consultation through the procedure, Dr. Rottenberg was clear and consistent in her medical advice and opinions. She always spends significant time (45 minutes+) with me making sure that I fully understand what is going on in my foot and what treatments might be necessary.

When I emailed her the morning after the surgery to tell her that I was in pain, she called me back within half an hour to walk me through how to alleviate the discomfort. Later that day she followed up with me to check that the pain had decreased and that I was comfortable. 

At the first post-op visit, Dr. Rottenberg was very gentle when she changed my dressings, but was also firm in making sure I knew that I could and should put pressure on my foot and move it even though I had some continuing pain.

Ilana B.

Dr. Rottenberg operated on my foot to fix a bone spur and a bunion. The surgery went as planned and the care and concern I received from Dr. Rottenberg helped facilitate a more seamless and fairly quick recovery. I always felt I was in good hands and Dr. Rottenberg and her staff was attentive to me alone the recuperation stage.

Dear Dr. Rottenberg,

I wanted to take the opportunity to "thank you" and your staff for such excellent patient care both "pre" and "post" operation; to Maritza for all her tireless effort scheduling my pre-op appointment, surgery date, prescriptions, going above and beyond patiently answering my many questions and phone calls, and Madeline for taking care of me during my post-op appointment making sure I was comfortable when I arrived to your office.

Dr. Rottenberg, as I discussed with you on my post op visit on Monday, October 8, 2018, your patient care, compassion, follow-up and prefessionalism is beyond what I have expereienced with any doctor - outstanding!

One moment I do remember was when I entered the operating room feeling anxious laying on the table with all the background preperation taking place and you came over and held my hand to assure me everything would be fine which is always comforting to hear right before you go under anesthesia.

With my surgery, I cannot express how grateful and happy I'm with the results. I did not expect to be back at work after five days with very minimal discomfort.

I would highly recommend your practice 100% to anyone looking for exceptional foot specialist and patient care.

With a happy recovering foot and greatful heart,

Jacqueline I.

Dear Dr. Rottenberg,

I wanted to tell you what a great experience I had with you as my foot surgeon as well as with all of the accompanying staff during my surgery in New York Downtown Hospital. Sometimes as a patient you come to expect a quick and cold visit with your doctor, but you and the staff at the hospital all showed sincere compassion, making me feel like I was a very lucky patient. Being prepped for surgery and walking into a cold operating room can be a truly scary experience for some of us, but I remember walking into your operating room and seeing nothing but smiles and everyone talking to me like a person rather than a science project. You have been a very attentive and understanding doctor and I am very thankful for it. I would truly appreciate it if you could extend my thanks to Dr. Levy, Dr. Ari, Nurse Wilkes, and the anesthesiologist Dr. Warden(?).

Sincerely,

Erin D.

I have been one of Dr. Fabienne Rottenberg's patients from the day that she established her practice at her current address on West End Avenue. Some two years before she became my doctor, I suffered from a painful condition in my legs. Dr. Rottenberg's diagnosis and treatment cleared up that problem and I have had no recurrence. In the last few weeks (May-June, 2012) she spotted and successfully treated a dangerous bacterial infection of which I was unaware. I have the utmost confidence in Dr. Rottenberg and believe that in her area of expertise she is without equal.

Stanley F.

Dear Dr. Rottenberg:

Nine weeks ago I fell and fractured my foot. The initial prognosis was that I would require surgery for an insertion of a screw in my foot.

Being 73 years old, I did not look forward to the prospect of surgery and a long recovery.

Due to your skills and professionalism surgery was avoided. I no longer require a walking boot and crutches. I am walking pain free in a shoe.

I can not thank you enough for this remarkable achievement.

Cordially,

Seymour T.

I am writing this letter to share my experience of the bunion surgery. I am 45 years old and I just had my surgery last summer (2011). I used to wear high heels everyday when I was younger. Then I started to feel pain on my left foot as I get older. I could not walk in heels that much anymore. So I decided to see a doctor; a friend of my husband recommended me to se Dr. Rottenberg and I made an appointment with the doctor. I explained to the doctor about my pain and she took a look at my foot and she said that it was a bunion that made my foot such a pain. Bunion is when the bone of the toe grows toward to the edge. She explained to me the cause of bunion which is wearing heels too often. She said that I needed to have the surgery which to cut off the bone of the toe in my left foot. I was so scared when she told me that I needed to have a surgery because I never had any surgery before. However, the doctor said it was going to be okay and my husband encouraged me to have the surgery. So I made the decision to have the surgery as soon as possible, which was in June 2011. The surgery took place in New York Downtown Hospital. In the surgery room, there were about five doctors and nurses. Dr. Rottenberg knew that I was so scared that day but she ensured me that I would not feel anything during the surgery. She gave me a shot so I fell asleep. It was about a couple of hours that I fell asleep and when I woke up, the surgery was already done. I did not feel any pain at all. After the surgery, I needed to wear a special shoe and see the doctor about every two weeks. My left foot is getting better each day and I do not feel the pain anymore. Dr. Rottenberg told me that the screw in my left foot needed to be removed so I made my decision five months after the surgery to remove the screw. It was a quick process of removing, only about 45 minutes and I did not feel any pain either. Now I do not feel any pain in my left foot anymore when I have a walk. I do not regret that I decided to have the surgery.

Wardaniah W.

Dear. Dr. Rottenberg:

The purpose of this letter is to inform any prospective patient about my experience of bunionectomy surgery.

My surgery was performed on July 28, 2000. Dr. Rottenberg and Miriam told me everything I needed to know and answered all of my questions. I went to my internist to have pre-op blood work done. I knew the surgery would involve a pin being placed in my toe. I was also informed that after surgery I would wear a plaster cast for two weeks and then a walking cast shoe for three to four weeks. After that I had to wear running shoes for about one month. Now I am wearing my favorite shoes again.

The surgery was a dream. The staff members at St. Clare's Hospital were warm and welcoming. I was able to leave the hospital about four hours after surgery accompanied by a friend. Before leaving the hospital, Physical Therapists fitted me with crutches and trained me how to use them. Even though you may not have steps in your building be sure to have the physical therapist teach you how to navigate curbs.

I needed to take an anti-inflammatory medicine during the first post-op week. I had minor discomfort in my foot, but no pain. The plaster cast was a bit heavy, but it was on for only two weeks. Once you get the walking cast shoe, goodbye to the crutches. The walking cast enables you to move anywhere. 

I had a routine x-ray after surgery while at the hospital to make sure the pin was in place. I went to Dr. Rottenberg's office to have the cast and stitches removed two weeks after surgery. I visited her office a couple of times to have the incision checked. During those visits I showed Dr. Rottenberg the progress I was making regarding the mobility of my toe. She made very supportive suggestions to help my progress. She showed me how to exercise all the muscles in my foot. The incision healed beautifully and you cannot see the scar unless you are looking for it.

From the first moment I met Dr. Rottenberg a general sense of trust began. At each step that trust was strengthened. All of my questions were taken seriously and answered carefully. My experience of surgery was indeed a positive one.

Very sincerely yours,

Alice M.

Dear Dr. Rottenberg,

Three years ago I came to your office for an opinion on the joint of my right toe. I could not walk without intense pain. I had already consulted four doctors. Two doctors had told me there was nothing that could be done. I had to live with the pain. I could no longer play sports since that would further damage the joint. The two other doctors, both New York City foot surgeons, said they could operate but the surgery would have to be extensive and they could not guarantee I could walk without pain after the operation. I mentioned that I wanted to be able to run and play tennis. Out of the question these surgeons said. 

I met you quite by accident. I had given up hope of ever having real mobility again. I visited your office. I boldly said that what I wanted was to run the New York Marathon and walk and run without pain. I had hobbled into her office. Instinctively, I understood that if any doctor was going to help me it was you. You carefully examined me. You looked at the xrays. You said, "I can help you. You operated. You took away only the bone necessary, not radical surgery.

In November of 1988 I ran the NYC Marathon as I had always dreamed I would. The picture below, taken after 26.2 miles of my foot pounding on the pavement of New York City says it all.

Thank You!

Sincerely,

Dr. Peter J. F.