Vincent J. Russo, MD — Attraction in Four Corners States

The short recommendation: If you are searching for a qualified doctor to do a total knee replacement, you are at the right place. Dr. Vincent Russo has replaced both of my knees, and the results have been exceptional. Do your research on other doctors and then compare them with Dr. Russo, you will find as I did he and his staff rank as one of the best in this field. I am seven weeks post-surgery and recovering well.

The long recommendation: Choosing the right surgeon, which is Dr. Russo and the right Physical Therapist (in my case Ray Popp at True Care Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation), will be key to the successful outcome of your knee surgery. I would offer a few suggestions in preparation for your chosen procedure. The first is to do your research on the doctor who will do the replacement taking into consideration how many and how successful his or her procedures have been over their career. I chose Dr. Vincent Russo because this is his specialty; he performs 250+ knee replacements each year. My reasoning was I wanted the best Doctor and staff possible if I was going to entrust them with my mobility, and Dr. Russo delivered. I read the negative on-line reviews regarding his arrogance and demeanor. In my opinion he is not an arrogant man; Doctor Russo is a serious, engaging practitioner who strives for the best outcomes possible for his patients. His confidence in his ability is backed by thousands of successful surgeries. Yet, I am sure to some his demeanor may come off as arrogant as he does not engage in a lot of peripheral small talk. An arrogant man in my opinion is someone who has doubts in his abilities and thus covers those insecurities with condescension; whereas a confident man approaches his work to the best of his abilities and allows his skills to do the talking. Yes, Dr. Russo is a confident man in his chosen field and by all rights he has earned it; isn’t that what you want in the operating room? As far as poor surgery outcomes, understand Dr. Russo only does the surgery; YOU have to do the rehab. It takes work, it will involve pain, and YOU have to put in the effort for a successful outcome in your range of motion post-surgery physical therapy. In my case, each knee was different; the first one I found out after surgery, my body was allergic to pain meds, so yes, during rehab it was a nightmare. The second surgery was a dream, my allergic reaction to meds disappeared, but the rehab is still a lot of work. It hasn’t been completely pain free, but night and day from the first one. Understand the surgery performed by Dr. Russo was basically the same; it was up to me and my Physical Therapist to regain flexibility and mobility, not Dr. Russo!

This brings me to my second suggestion.

Once you have decided to have the procedure done by Doctor Russo, find a qualified Physical Therapist (PT) before your surgery and interview them on what they will do for you during rehab. I was fortunate to find a good PT for my first surgery at a standard rehab facility who is now an independent Physical Therapist (as in not affiliated with a major rehab facility). The difference is night and day. At a major facility you are a client and will be treated as such and no doubt be given adequate care. As I have found out at the right independent PT, the care is extended as a relationship where you see the same PT each time; the rehab is tailored more to you and your progress; and the overall result is based on both parties working for the same goal. I would highly recommend Ray Popp, PT MPT Cert. SMT Cert., who owns True Care Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation on the west side. He specializes in Manual Therapy (hands on) and really cares about all of you, not just the specific rehab you see him for; the results have been amazing combining the exceptional work of Doctor Vincent Russo and hands on healing of Physical...

Dr Vincent Russo is the most arrogant, insensitive, unprofessional, judgmental, RUDE, QUICK TEMPERED, man that calls himself a DR. After a total knee replacement, he was so quick to judge and blame all the set backs on me telling me in a very UNPROFESSIONAL manner to take pain pills to be able to progress with rehab. Unfortunately, I'm allergic to all pain meds and he clearly told me in no uncertain words that he did not deal with pain management and that he gave me a new knee and it was up to me to get it to it's full workable state. I never once criticized him regarding his surgical abilities but when it came time to ask questions, he promptly made it clear that he was not in the business to assist me or to answer any question. Coming in with a history of elective surgeries, drug allergies I've learned to deal with, plus a RN degree, I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A RUDE DR. I was thrown under the bus, told to leave the office and to find another dr. all because I asked to express my feelings about how he criticized me and my inability to comply to his orders to take pain meds. I AM TOTALLY APPALLED THAT DR RUSSO HAS GOTTEN THE RATINGS HE HAS. if you present yourself as a picture perfect case with no hiccups, no stags in the treatment protocol, and you don't ask any questions or quiz him on any of his procedure, then you might fall into the category of HIS PERFECT PATIENT. However, try stepping one big toe out of that perfect box, and you no longer receive any consideration as a patient again. I WOULD NEVER NEVER EVER RECOMMEND THIS MAN NOR HIS STAFF ESPECIALLY HIS PA, JENNIFER TO ANYONE....ANYONE. PLEASE RECONSIDER AND GO TO ANOTHER DR. Feb. 12,2018 I personally would like to add now that my surgery has been 4 years ago, my knee is still frozen. I finished all my required PT as per see Russo's request. I'm still very unhappy with the total knee replacement outcome. I went into his office initially really liking him and his staff very much. However when he would not allow me to address my concerns and questions, that's when my impression of him and clearly how his very poor bed side manner was displayed. I seriously have no control over drug allergies and their effect on me. However a Dr should be in the business of helping a patient work thru these stumbling blocks. I am 4 days post op from having a total hip replacement. I recognize that a knee and a hip are two very different surgeries indeed. But from day 2 I have been totally pain free and my new Ortho Dr worked with my pain level and meds to get me there. Once again a really encourage you to get a second opinion before rushing in with Dr Russo. He comes across as a very caring Dr as does his staff. But just protect yourself. Would hate to see anyone live with what I've been left with...a very poorly functioning and painful knee...

My experience with Dr. Vincent Russo was absolutely fantastic. When you visit Dr. Russo’s office the first thing you notice is its cleanliness, and appearance. The office is adorned with shelves containing numerous exquisite sculptures made by Dr. Russo, which I immediately associated with his unique ability to skillfully reshape the associated leg bones to accommodate the particular prosthesis required. The staff is knowledgeable, kind and very helpful, and the waiting time is quite minimal. Dr. Russo replaced my right knee after 54 years of limping, pain, and restricted ability to perform many normal activities originally caused by a sports injury. Within six weeks I am able to perform basically any physical activity I want without pain. The process is quick, and intended to get you up and out of the hospital and moving around quickly with very limited pain. I personally was off prescribed pain medication (my own choice) the day after I was released from the hospital. There are no words to explain how grateful I am to Dr. Russo, he’s an amazing surgeon who I...