Patient Story
From a knee injury that took it all — to finishing the NYC Marathon.
After a knee injury that took a heavy toll on her mental and physical health, Gillis Frechette had a tibial tubercle osteotomy and an osteochondral allograft of the patella with Dr. Sabrina Strickland — and crossed the finish line at the NYC Marathon.
In Gillis's words — a letter to Dr. Strickland
"Something before the surgery I NEVER thought I would be able to accomplish."
I wanted to send you an update on my knee and how it's going…
I ran the NYC Marathon this past Sunday… something before the surgery I NEVER thought I would be able to accomplish…
“Completing the marathon was healing and rewarding in so many ways.” — Gillis Frechette
It was incredibly emotional for me and for my family who knew how much this knee injury took from my mental and physical health.
Completing the marathon was healing and rewarding in so many ways and I felt that I needed to share with you because I obviously could not have completed it without you and the surgery!
Thank you so much…
A note shared by Gillis with Dr. Strickland after running the NYC Marathon. Gillis had a tibial tubercle osteotomy and an osteochondral allograft of the patella.
About the procedures Gillis had
Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy (TTO) is a controlled cut and reposition of the bony attachment of the patellar tendon on the front of the tibia. For patellar pain or maltracking, an anteromedialization TTO offloads the worn portion of the patella and improves how the kneecap tracks through the trochlear groove. More on joint preservation & osteotomy →
Osteochondral Allograft of the Patella replaces a damaged area of cartilage on the back of the kneecap with a size-matched donor cartilage and bone plug. Combined with TTO, the realignment protects the new cartilage from the same forces that destroyed the original. More on cartilage transplantation →
Read more patient stories
Gillis's story is one of many. Hear from more of Dr. Strickland's patients in their own words about how they got back to the lives they love.
