Dr. Michael Lastihenos is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with an expertise in sports medicine, having completed a fellowship in the field that encompasses the injuries that are typical in recreational and professional athletes. Many of these include boney, ligamentous, and cartilaginous injuries about the joints which often require specialized training to treat appropriately. These often include knee and shoulder injuries which encompass most of his present surgical practice.

His philosophy with respect to patient care is to treat the patient in the most conservative manner possible consistent with achieving appropriate healing and a good functional outcome for the patient. This may also include surgery as many diagnoses are best treated in this manner.

“The most important thing to me during a visit with one of my patients is that at the end of the encounter the patient understands their diagnosis and treatment plan as well as having a reasonable expectation for their outcome”, he says. Dr. Lastihenos spends whatever time is necessary to ensure the patient is comfortable in this knowledge and to ensure that the patient has no reservations to contact him if there is any concern.

What gives him the most enjoyment from his practice is the happiness of his patient when they are done with their treatment and have had a good outcome from an injury, or when symptoms from a patient's chronic condition have been improved.

When not treating patients, Dr.  Lastihenos enjoys walking and bike riding for exercise. He is also a sports fan particularly of the NY Mets and NY Jets and was affiliated with the NY Jets as a team physician during my sports medicine fellowship at Lenox Hill Hospital, which was that a great learning experience and intensified his interest in the team.