I believe the next wave in the history and development of our healthcare system will include a more knowledgeable patient population -- people who insist on a significant degree of transparency, results reporting, a sharper focus on cost, and (perhaps most important) patient satisfaction.

Many websites are now tabulating data on physicians for presentation to the public. They also ask the public to rank physicians based on a number of variables. One such site is Vitals.

If you are interested in having a testimonial posted on this page, please send me an email with your permission to use the testimonial on my site.

Thanks!

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January 2010

 I am a 64 year old female who had a bilateral knee replacement performed by Dr. Luks on October 7, 2009.  I did my therapy faithfully and at six weeks I was walking my dog again. It is now 14 weeks since my surgery and I feel wonderful.  I walk my dog 2 to 2 1/2 miles a day and continue to do my exercises. I thank Dr. Luks every day for my new knees for taking my pain away and for giving me my life back.

G.W.  

December 2009

June 2009

Dear Dr. Luks,

I am writing this email to thank you for the excellent care and attention you have provided me since performing my total knee replacement on January 9, 2009.

For about a year prior to the surgery, I limited my participation in any kind of walking activity, due to the pain I would feel by the end of the day. Sometimes, the pain would continue for the next day or two. Knowing of this possibility in advance, I often found myself limiting my participation in any non-work-related events.

Today, June 9, 2009, is exactly 5 months since I've had the procedure. With the assistance of 4 months of physical therapy, I am actively engaging in lots of activities, with no pain at all. In fact, I've been completely pain free for 2 months now.

Dr. Luks, I am grateful for having the opportunity to recoup my life again. You are responsible for my progress and I will highly recommend you to any person I know in need of your services.

Sincerely, L.O.

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May 2009

The full knee replacement I received from Dr. Luks in 2006 has helped me to once again enjoy the active lifestyle I was used to before severe knee pain made many activities a painful experience. Within a week after the operation I was walking 4 - 5 miles a day, although slowly and with some discomfort. Within a month the discomfort was largely gone, and now, at age 67, I am able to compete in racewalking and bicycle races, activities I could not possible have engaged in without the new knee.

I took the gold medal in the Delray Beach senior games 1500m walk, and qualified for state championships in 10k, 5k and 1 mile bicycle races. The new knee made it all possible. Thank you Dr. Luks for a great job.

~ K.M.

 
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March 2009

Since you were my doctor, you already know how well I have done since December when you did both of my knee replacements. I would have written sooner, but my recovery was so fast that I went back to work less than two months after my operations. You were right from the start about taking the therapy very seriously -- proper therapy is the key to a speedy recovery! You did a fantastic job also. I think I need to mention this little fact: being a man over three hundred pounds, many doctors would have been skeptical about doing one knee for me, let alone two. I want to thank you for having the confidence in me to follow your directions. I am blessed to have my legs back. I can now do so much without pain -- I cannot begin to tell you how I feel. As I continue to lose weight, my levels of activity have increased and I feel great. Thank you again and again. You have given me my life back.

~ Dennis D., Westchester, New York

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January 2009

Six years ago I was fortunate to have been advised to see Dr. Luks after I was involved in a car accident. At that time I was treated and ultimately had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, with great results. Subsequently, due to arthritis, I have had total replacements to both knees. I actually didn't realize how much pain I really endured until after my surgeries. It is so wonderful to be able to walk up and down the stairs step over step instead of one at a time and to sleep all night because I am totally pain free. I have been doing Aquatic exercises since my first knee replacement in 2004 and after my last sugery in May 2008 I was back in the pool in less than 8 weeks. Due to other medical problems I had that long span between surgeries, but Dr. Luks always treated my pain and made me as comfortable as possible. He is a man of great integrity and knowledge, and I thank him with all my heart!!!!!!!

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October 2008

On Sunday, May 11 of this year, I decided to help my friend, James Ewing, paint the second floor of his roof. Neither one of us was aware of a very large wasp nest located in a light fixture. It wasn't long before they were aware of us! My friend Jim ran one way, I the other! I had much less roof than he did, so I landed on a secondary roof, then fell 11 feet to the concrete patio breaking my upper left arm in about 5 places.

To the Mexican emergency room I went, received an x-ray confirming the fracture. The Ortho Specialist, Dr. Raul Ballencia, who I've seen many times while I'm on the island, said, "You need to go back to New York because you will need surgery." Not the news I wanted to hear, but I flew back the next day into Kennedy Airport. The day after that I went to see Dr. G. Chiaramonte, who told my I had a very bad break and that I might not be able to work again as a police officer. Not ready for retirement yet, I was referred to Dr. Howard Luks at Westchester Medical Center. There was an instant trust there, and being my first surgery, that was very important to me. I informed Dr. Luks of my situation with my police work and told him of my recent promotion to Lieutenant and how important it was for me to continue with my profession. Dr. Luks said he would do the best that he could to save my arm, which I strongly believed.

On May 28 I went into surgery, not knowing what my outcome would be. I awoke late that night still not knowing, but was soon visited by Dr. Luks. I was informed by more than one hospital personnel that Dr. Luks went above and beyond to save my arm, to be able to have the motion I needed to go back to work. It was a 5-hour surgery and Dr. Luks had decided to remove the fractured bones and replace them with a piece of leg bone (from a bone bank), attach that to the "ball" of the upper arm, and place a plate with 11 screws.

The results, after intense physical therapy with Craig Squire, PT,DPT of Therapy in Motion of Hyde Park, I was back to work as a police officer. I still go to physical therapy for strength training, but I'm back to work. How does one thank that kind of dedication to their profession ... I still don't know.

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October 2008

I am now 6 months post-op and can't believe my life.

How terrific I feel!! Over the past four years I have had two miniscus surgeries, my right knee total replacement and my left knee partial (uni) replacement. All this due to injury. I am an avid tennis player and thought I would never be able to play again. I am now playing a few times a week.

From the first time I met you, Dr. Luks, I immediately felt comfortable and very much at ease. You tell it like it is and are not an alarmist.

I no longer take using my legs (walking, climbing stairs, playing with my grandchildren, etc.) for granted. Your magical hands and knowledge have given me a pain-free life.

THANK YOU.

B.L.

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September 2008

Dr. Howard has had a huge impact on my life -- really. When I had an ACL tear, my first doctor spent one minute before declaring that I needed complete ACL reconstruction! Dr. Howard spent ample time looking at my injury, understanding my lifestyle objectives and work-related needs, and told me that I was better off with Physical Therapy to start with.
After 6 weeks of therapy, he analyzed my recovery and said that I might not need surgery after all. It is because of Dr. Howard that I still have faith in the U.S. healthcare system and I love working in this industry!!

Best Regards,
~ V., Florham Park, NJ

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August 2008

Dear Dr. Luks,

I feel blessed to have found you. I suffered debilitating pain in both knees and one elbow, which dramatically reduced the quality of my life. In three separate surgeries over the past four years, you have completely fixed those problems and given me back a fully pain-free active life.

That alone would be reason enough to be grateful.

At my first appointment, you took the time to listen patiently to all my complaints and descriptions of my aches and pains, and then explained clearly and understandably what my options were (both surgically and not) and what outcomes I could reasonably expect from each. From then to now, I never felt rushed, I never felt talked down to, I always felt I was given the time and opportunity to ask every question I could think of, and left feeling optimistic. Remarkably, in four years, I've never waited more than 10 minutes past my scheduled appointment time before seeing you.

Your compassion, expertise, and professionalism were evident again at the hospital, and in the post-surgical follow-up, and in every other appointment and surgery that followed.

For anyone who thinks all surgeons are egotistical, cut-happy, impatient, assembly-line cold fish, I hope they have the great luck to meet you. Everyone hopes their surgeon is extremely skilled and you are absolutely that. But you are also warm, compassionate, articulate, patient, and considerate. That's an unbeatable combination for any doctor and in my experience, EXTREMELY rare in a surgeon.

Thank you so much for everything you've done to give me back a pain-free, active life.

~ N. D.

June, 2008

Dear Dr. Luks,
I had put off knee replacement for years because of my apprehension about pain, poor results, and lack of information. My activities had been significantly curtailed and I felt discouraged a lot of the time. I finally decided to visit you to get informed about my options. What a lucky day for me.
You made everything so clear, showed me pictures of my knee and normal knees, and demonstrated what the replacement would involve. I immediately felt comfortable and confident that I would be in capable hands with you.
Today, I am 5 months post-op and can do all the things that were beyond me for so long. I have great leg motion and "bend" to my knee. I can only say that I wish we had met each other five years ago. Thank you and thank you, Dr. Luks.
~ F. C.

June 24, 2008

Dear Dr. Luks:

WOW! What a fabulous website! A fabulous attitude, too, and a hopeful and hope-filled initial consult you had with me today. I'm impressed, and I truly feel that I did get lucky -- considering the fiasco with another doctor who initially examined (only) my left knee, and then wrote up my surgery for the right (WRONG!) one, which he hadn't even examined! THIS is as complete a reversal as it gets! Thank you God, thank you Dr. Luks! It was my good fortune to have met you, and I shall now, as you recommended, first pursue getting those veins taken care of on my LEFT leg, and then proceed with the knee replacement you have recommended for that same leg.
Thank you, again SO much, and please be assured that I AM a patient who WILL do the "work" necessary to get through this -- in record time, I hope.

~I.

June 17, 2008

Saw your name on the Tiger Woods discussion, so I just thought I should say hello. You reattached my ruptured bicep tendon in December of 2000 when I was living in Westchester. Eight years later it is still doing great ... lifting weights, throwing baseballs and lifting cold beverages! Thank you for the excellent job. I hope you are well and happy as I am.
~ L.K.

06/10/08

Synvisc, Orthovisc, Euflexxa Testimonial

For years I had been walking around with knee discomfort, and I was starting to avoid some activities. After enduring aches and pains, I finally decided it was time to do something about it because I knew it was only getting worse. During my initial appointment with Dr. Luks he listened carefully to my complaints and looked at the x-rays of my knees. We had a discussion about my lifestyle and then he described the choices I had, recommending injections of euflexxa, which would alleviate the pain that was occurring when I walked. While I was anxious about the injections, Dr. Luks explained in detail what would happen. It was relatively mild and I can’t believe the difference.
After the three injections that he recommended, I found myself walking up and down steps pain-free. I returned to walking two to three miles for exercise. Mornings were no longer filled with slow movements, trying to get my knees to work. I get right out of bed and begin my daily activities without even thinking about how I will get through them. Although I understand this is not a cure-all, I can honestly say my quality of life has improved significantly and I gladly approach gardening, hiking and golf without fear.

April, 2008

I work as a general contractor and my livelihood was in jeopardy when I was no longer able to lift my arm. I went to Dr. Luks as a second opinion for possible rotator cuff surgery.

Upon meeting Dr. Luks and having the injury thoroughly explained along with the treatment course, I felt confident with the level of expertise that he demonstrated. Having been so impressed with the consult, I booked the surgery before leaving the office.

My post-operative experience was remarkable, because the pain was minimal to none.

Dr. Howard Luks' expertise has provided me the ability to return to work, keep up with my grandchildren, and get back to my golf game.

Not only is Dr. Luks an exceptional surgeon, his genuine personality makes him stand out above the rest.

~ P.L., Hawthorne NY

I have been through a great deal with the help of Dr. Luks over the past three years, and I wouldn’t go to any other doctor because of my great experiences with him. Dr. Luks is a wonderful doctor with a vast knowledge of sports medicine. He takes an interest in every one of his patients, not just the ones with major or uncommon injuries. He strives to get all of his patients back to 100 percent activiity level -- or as close as possible. I have been through four total surgeries with Dr. Luks. Each time I was injured, I called his office to make an appointment to see Dr. Luks and I was always seen within a few days so as to minimize my level of discomfort from the injury. After each surgery, I always had questions about whether I was doing things right for my recovery and I needed to ask Dr. Luks what to do. He was always very prompt about helping me so that I could be as comfortable as possible after the surgeries and during the recovery period afterward.

In the summer of 2005, I injured my AC joint in my left shoulder and Dr. Luks took great care of me. I had an arthroscopic surgery and I was back sailing with my sailing team in just a few short weeks. In the winter of 2006, I was in a hockey accident and I dislocated my patella, tore out a chunk of cartilage from underneath my patella, and tore a few ligaments inside the knee. I had three surgeries. The first was shortly after the injury to repair the ligaments, the second a few months later to implant the newly grown cartilage, and the third a year later to clean some excess cartilage out. Dr. Luks did an amazing job at fixing my knee. I can run around with my dog again, and I am back in the boat again sailing with my college sailing team. I am still recovering a year and a half after the injury, because cartilage takes so long to heal, but I am doing great with the help of Dr. Luks.

Any time I have questions, I can call or email him, and I always get a very prompt response, and he is always interested in not just the progress of my knee, but how I am doing sailing and in school as well. I would highly recommend Dr. Luks to anyone who has an injury that Dr. Luks can help with. He has helped my immensely and I'm sure he will take just as good care of you as he has with me.

~ Tim H (19), College Sailor

Five years ago I was 16 years old and visiting New York from Woodbury,Tennessee and while on vacation I was involved in a snowmobile accident where I broke my left femur, tibia, and fibula. I had a compound fracture with my tibia and was rushed to a small town hospital and there they realized it was too complicated and sent me to Westchester Medical about an hour away. I will always feel very fortunate that Dr. Luks was the doctor on call that night, especially since it was late at night. I had lost so much blood from the accident, but because of religious reasons I chose not to accept blood. With such a complication, Dr. Luks respected my wishes and still chose to go ahead with the surgery. I had emergency surgery and 2 rods and 5 pins placed from my left hip to my left ankle. I was put in the hospital for 13 days, and a couple in ICU, because of my blood counts and for physical therapy. Dr Luks did not let me sit, he had physical therapists in my room right away, and even through all the tears and all the pain I am so appreciative that he never gave up. He was always there to visit me, to encourage me, and to keep me fighting.

A month later I left for TN and visited an orthopedist locally; he was very smart but he wasn't Dr. Luks. Every month I would have x-rays taken for progress and about 4 months later there was not much healing. The doctor here wanted to take out the lower rod and replace it with a bigger one, but I kept in touch and asked Dr. Luks for a second opinion, where he was very confident of a simple procedure of taking out the 2 pins in the tibia along with weight bearing and it would start healing in no time.

I traveled back up to NY for 3 more surgeries in the next 3 years. The second surgery he removed 2 pins and worked on my achilles tendon which had in a sense "frozen." The third surgery he removed one pin from my knee and then took my dad in for meniscal tear back to back, and the fourth surgery, which was in November 2006, he removed the last pin from my knee. I have never had another surgeon and if I were to have another orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Luks would be the one I choose. Absolutely amazing bedside manners and just a great person to have working on your side.

I will always appreciate and respect Dr. Luks for making me able to walk again. Every year on the date I will always remember what was done for me, and because of Dr. Luks and the accident I am now in the medical field as an x-ray technician and working in the ER with the same patients I once was. I'll always be greatful!

After three reconstructive knee surgeries and seeing four specialists (all of whom left me discouraged and crying after every visit), I had almost given up on Western medicine all together. That was until Dr. Howard Luks miraculously appeared in my life. When I went to see him, he patiently listened to my story, looked at the scans of my knee (or as we liked to call them "Swiss cheese"), gave me his signature cool grin and said calmly, "I can do this for you, your knee will be fine." And it was.

I couldn't believe that after all I had been through with such a complex bone graft and ACL surgery, that Dr. Luks made it look as easy as changing a lightbulb. My knee has healed perfectly and I have started to run for the first time in 8 years. I have never met a doctor with such class, warm bedside manner, and professionalism. Dr. Luks is someone I have trusted with my life and career as a massage therapist and I'll tell anyone who will listen to go see him! He is absolutely the best orthopedic medicine has to offer, and his opinions and experience always leave me confident that he is doing the right thing for my body. I only regret I did not know this amazing doctor for the first surgery I ever needed.

~ K.D., Mount Kisco NY

I know I am sending off this email at the risk of you thinking I am becoming your next stalker (but I swear I am not). I just feel I have to tell you that when I left your office yesterday I totally understood why as soon as I mentioned my shoulder pain to my primary care doctor, he literally whipped your business card out of his wallet and said, "You have to go see Howard Luks, you will REALLY like him!"

As I left your office yesterday I wanted to climb the nearest mountain (which I was surrounded by) and tell the world "You WILL really like him!" I can't help being impressed with your passion for what you do and the manner in which you do it. That is why I left your office yesterday completely confident that I went to the right person to fix my shoulder. Now if I can just get over my fear of the general anesthesia! Thanks for being true to who you are.

~ S.V., Orange County, NY

Dr. Howard Luks is simultaneously the most caring and the most professional doctor I have ever had. While caring about the patient’s comfort and needs, he assesses each pain and question quickly and exactly, while explaining every detail. I am an athlete and first visited Dr. Luks at age 14 with a strained MCL and have continuously been treated by him for several other athletic injuries over the past 4 years. He has always been careful to prescribe rest or physical therapy as the first course of treatment when appropriate. He has performed an ACL reconstruction, two meniscus repairs, removal of scar tissue, and a surgery for compartment syndrome -- and he has given me hope and confidence with every treatment. Each surgery has been successful and I have been pleased with how each surgery has gone -- and the rehab following each surgery. At each visit, he is truly concerned with the progress of my knee and my overall health. I am extremely pleased with the results and grateful to have such a wonderful doctor.

~ S.Q., Weschester, NY

When I first consulted Dr. Luks, I had swelling and pain in my left knee. From the onset I trusted his judgment and skill. He was patient and caring. I have been a registered nurse for over 30 years, and I really appreciate a physician who makes time to teach and offer non-invasive treatments. So when I needed rotator cuff surgery I wouldn’t consider any other physician. In my opinion on a scale from 1-10 Dr. Luks is a definite 10-plus.

~ JoAnn D., Dutchess County NY