After a serious knee injury during a soccer match against Georgetown University last September, Joseph Cerrato, a 20-year-old center back for Long Island University in Brookville, faced uncertainty about his athletic future. Cerrato was diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), an injury common among athletes in sports that require sudden stops and changes in direction.
To address the injury, Cerrato underwent ACL reconstruction surgery performed by Mark G. Grossman, MD, chief of sports medicine at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island and the university’s head team physician. Dr. Grossman used arthroscopic techniques to reconstruct the ligament using a graft to restore stability and function to the knee.
“This is a story that is truly close to home and has come full circle,” said Dr. Grossman. “I was able to reconstruct an ACL tear on a former Mineola High School soccer star, who is now a star at the university around the corner.”
Following surgery, Cerrato spent nearly 10 months in physical therapy, initially attending sessions up to six days per week. He credits Dr. Grossman’s guidance for his successful recovery and return to competitive play ahead of schedule.
“I would give Dr. Grossman more than 11 out of a 10-star review if I could. All I could think about was going back to play with my team, and I couldn’t have done it without him,” said Cerrato, who plans to pursue a career as a physical education teacher and soccer coach after graduation.
NYU Langone Health operates as an integrated health system with seven inpatient locations, Perlmutter Cancer Center, over 320 outpatient sites in New York and Florida, two tuition-free medical schools in Manhattan and on Long Island, and an extensive research division. The system reported $14.2 billion in revenue this year. According to Vizient Inc., NYU Langone has been ranked No. 1 out of 118 comprehensive academic medical centers nationwide for four consecutive years, while U.S. News & World Report recognized four of its clinical specialties as number one nationally.
