Patient Testimonials

Barbara – Annandale
Knee Replacement

Dennis – Amissville
Total Hip Replacement

Blanca – Leesburg
Bilateral Hip Replacement

Sarah – Burke
Fractured Elbow

Ca'Dell – Reston
Achilles Repair

Carolyn – Alexandria
Bilateral Hip and Knee Replacements

Hisham – Reston
ACL Repair

Brian – Herndon
Torn Biceps Tendon

John – Springfield
Spine Surgery

Hiko – Fairfax
Detached Thumb Ligament

Matthew – Fairfax
Shoulder Repair

Courtney –McLean
Fractured Leg

Lisa – Centreville
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Maurice – Clifton
Osteoarthritis

Maureen – Oak Hill
Non-Surgical Pain Management

Brian – Reston
Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement

James – Arlington
Knee Replacement

Cheryl – Oak Hill
Reconstructive Hand Surgery

Chris – Arlington
Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Vilma – Vienna
Fractured Wrist

Kelsey – Centreville
Spondylolysis

Jeff – Alexandria
Shoulder Repair

Jenna – Centreville
ACL Repair

Brian – Arlington
Knee Arthroscopy

Donna – West Springfield
Pilates and Core Stabilization

Keith – Stafford
Torn Rotator Cuff

Rachel – Vienna
Broken Wrist

Patson – Annandale
Herniated Disc

Jerri – Alexandria
Muscle-Sparing Total Knee Replacement

Matthew – Lucketts, VA
Ankle Replacement

Garrett – Vienna
Shoulder Rehabilitation

Karen – Alexandria
Shoulder Repair

James – Annandale
Distal Biceps Tendon Repair

Laurie – Potomac Falls
Minimally Invasive Hip Arthroscopy

Kevin – Alexandria
Lacerated Extensor Tendon Repair

Mary – Herndon
ACL Reconstruction and Meniscus Transplant

Sam – Edgewater, MD
Shoulder Repair Surgery

Phil – Springfield
Clavicle Fracture

Kelley – Sterling
Dislocated Kneecaps

Brian – Vienna
Skier’s Thumb

Stephanie – Vienna
Knee & Hip Replacement

Patient Testimonials - Kevin

Alexandria – Lacerated Extensor Tendon Repair

Enjoying a glass of iced tea in his kitchen, Kevin misjudged the counter height and broke the glass, sending a razor-sharp shard into his left foot. The jagged glass lacerated a tendon, covering the floor of his Alexandria home with blood. When emergency room doctors discovered Kevin couldn’t move one of his toes, the diagnosis was clear: he had severed his extensor tendon and would need surgery to repair it immediately.

Kevin, 51, consulted Commonwealth Orthopaedics surgeon Kevin Lutta, MD, who specializes in foot and ankle procedures. “I was apprehensive because I had done enough research to know that tendon reattachment is tricky and I wanted an experienced surgeon to perform the operation,” Kevin recalls. “Dr. Lutta put me at ease right away. He had a great disposition and reassured me that he had done this type of surgery many times before.”

Treatment of extensor tendon injuries varies depending on whether the injury is a laceration, like Kevin’s, or a rupture. The first step is a careful physical examination to evaluate the specific extensor tendon involved, especially in lacerations where multiple tendons and other structures such as nerves and blood vessels may be damaged as well. These, too, may need to be repaired. Left untreated, a claw toe deformity can develop making it difficult to control the toes when putting on socks or shoes.

Dr. Lutta performed Kevin’s tendon repair four days after the initial injury. Despite the large open wound, the surgery was a success. Kevin spent a week on crutches and then had a walking boot put on so he could return to work and basic activities. After a month, he came back to Commonwealth for physical therapy, which he continued on his own at home. His pain was minimal, his recovery rapid, and he has since returned to all the things he loves – golfing, biking, and working out in the gym.

“I feel great and I’m very pleased with the care I received at Commonwealth Orthopaedics,” he says. “I wholeheartedly recommend the entire team, especially Dr. Lutta. He’s a pro who does a tremendous job and I’m a living, breathing – and walking – example of that.”