<![CDATA[Newsroom Hospital for Special Surgery]]> https://news.hss.edu/ en-us Tue, 08 Sep 2026 12:10:18 +0200 Wed, 09 Apr 2025 22:24:44 +0200 <![CDATA[Newsroom Hospital for Special Surgery]]> https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_2373.png https://news.hss.edu/ 144 HSS Studies Identify Potential Profile and Treatment Options for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury https://news.hss.edu/hss-studies-identify-potential-profile-and-treatment-options-for-mild-traumatic-brain-injury/ https://news.hss.edu/hss-studies-identify-potential-profile-and-treatment-options-for-mild-traumatic-brain-injury/693359HSS is the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the 15th consecutive year), No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2024-2025), and the best pediatric orthopedic hospital in NY, NJ and CT by U.S. News & World Report “Best Children’s Hospitals” list (2024-2025). In a survey of medical professionals in more than 20 countries by Newsweek, HSS is ranked world #1 in orthopedics for a fifth consecutive year (2025). Founded in 1863, the Hospital has the lowest readmission rates in the nation for orthopedics, and among the lowest infection and complication rates. HSS was the first in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center five consecutive times. An affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS has a main campus in New York City and facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut and in the Long Island and Westchester County regions of New York State, as well as in Florida. In addition to patient care, HSS leads the field in research, innovation and education. The HSS Research Institute comprises 20 laboratories and 300 staff members focused on leading the advancement of musculoskeletal health through prevention of degeneration, tissue repair and tissue regeneration. In addition, more than 200 HSS clinical investigators are working to improve patient outcomes through better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat orthopedic, rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. The HSS Innovation Institute works to realize the potential of new drugs, therapeutics and devices. The HSS Education Institute is a trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal knowledge and research for physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, academic trainees, and consumers in more than 165 countries. The institution is collaborating with medical centers and other organizations to advance the quality and value of musculoskeletal care and to make world-class HSS care more widely accessible nationally and internationally. www.hss.edu.

]]>Two studies by scientists at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) offer possible insights into treating mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), including a potential blood biomarker for injury assessment that could shed light on the role of inflammation, and evidence supporting the use of amitriptyline, historically used as an anti-depressant, but now commonly used for migraine relief, to speed recovery. The research team shared their results today at the American Academy of Neurology 2025 annual meeting.

There are currently no objective biomarkers for concussion, an invisible injury and form of mTBI, which often remains difficult to diagnose and treat. Although there are broad consensus guidelines, individual treatment decisions for this heterogeneous injury are largely left to the discretion of the physician. Previous studies have suggested a link between C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory biomarker in the blood, and TBI, but the relationship is still under-explored. Because the underlying pathophysiology remains poorly understood, it remains challenging to create a treatment plan, noted Ayse Erdemir, clinical research coordinator at HSS, and first author of both studies.

“Currently there are no established pharmacological treatments for mTBI,” Erdemir noted. Standard treatment involves physical therapy, guided exercise, and lifestyle modifications, with some options for treating headache, head pressure, and insomnia, common symptoms that can impact recovery. While previous studies of amitriptyline in this population have been inconclusive, the team's research provides new data which may support its use in specific circumstances.

These studies, if further validated, have the potential to influence the treatment of mTBI, she added.

For the first retrospective study of 383 concussion patients, researchers focused on measurements of high sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), an inflammatory biomarker in the blood. Erdemir pointed out, “We found that higher levels of hsCRP were associated with more frequent reporting of symptoms like sadness and trouble falling asleep. Notably, patients with abnormal hsCRP took longer to recover compared to those with normal levels. These patients also tended to be older and have higher BMI.”

Additionally, she said "The findings suggest that hsCRP could potentially be a candidate for inclusion in biomarker panels for acute mTBI assessment, but more research is needed to understand its long-term role in tracking symptom resolution and recovery."

The results also offer a possible new insight into the pathophysiology of the disease, suggesting that, at least in some patients, the concussion may be characterized by low levels of inflammation in the brain that resolves with tailored treatment paradigms.

For the second study, the researchers analyzed data from the same group of patients, focusing on those who were prescribed amitriptyline. They found that patients who had received the drug more often had histories of depression, anxiety, and migraines, and also had more severe concussion symptoms than those who did not receive the medication. Even though their concussions appeared to be more complex and severe, patients in the amitriptyline group recovered at the same rate as more straightforward cases.

“Amitriptyline seems to play a supportive role in helping patients with more frequent and severe baseline symptoms to recover,” said Erdemir. “A tool to treat headache and insomnia in concussion patients doesn’t just improve quality of life throughout recovery; it may also facilitate and potentially expedite recovery. Restoring normal sleep and improving sleep quality is especially important to helping the brain heal from mTBI.”

While researchers believe patients with more severe concussions are more likely to benefit, the drug may still be prescribed in other patients to relieve symptoms.

More research is clearly needed to develop clinical applications. Researchers hope to follow up by analyzing longitudinal trends of hsCRP across recovery, to further support its use as a biomarker. Additional study of amitriptyline should include a randomized, controlled trial comparing the medication to placebo as well as other medications used to treat headache.

References:

High-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP): Retrospective Study of Potential Blood Biomarker of Inflammation in Acute Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)

Authors: Guzide Ayse Erdemir, Niluckshi Pitigala, Joseph T. Nguyen, Teena Shetty, MD, MPhil, FAAN (HSS).

Amitriptyline for Acute Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)

Authors: Guzide Ayse Erdemir, Niluckshi Pitigala, Joseph T. Nguyen, Teena Shetty, MD, MPhil, FAAN (HSS).

]]> Tue, 08 Apr 2025 18:00:00 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/cee521ca-9704-4741-b58c-eb66bfd71b04/500_gettyimages-1483293124.jpg?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/cee521ca-9704-4741-b58c-eb66bfd71b04/gettyimages-1483293124.jpg?10000 How Dangerous Are Soccer Concussions? They May Cause Lasting Damage https://news.hss.edu/how-dangerous-are-soccer-concussions-they-may-cause-lasting-damage/ https://news.hss.edu/how-dangerous-are-soccer-concussions-they-may-cause-lasting-damage/582115Scientific American featuring Teena Shetty, MD

]]>As the 2023 women’s World Cup kicks off, repeated concussions and head injuries in the sport raise discussion about the lifelong consequences on the brain according to Scientific American. 

“It’s an invisible injury, so people tend to mask their symptoms,” said Teena Shetty, MD, neurologist at HSS. “It’s not like a heart attack, where you can look at an EKG waveform and bloodwork, or an ACL injury where you can see it on an MRI.”

Dr. Shetty said concussions require a multidisciplinary treatment, which may include physical and cognitive therapy. Longer-term care could require lifestyle modifications or even a change of sport. 

Players can also wear gear such as headbands and collars crafted to help dissipate an impact. Such devices are becoming more readily available, but Dr. Shetty said there’s still not enough evidence to medically support the safety and effectiveness of these early designs.

Read the full article at scientificamerican.com.

]]> Tue, 18 Jul 2023 14:36:00 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/500_hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 CNN SPECIAL REPORT – “IMMACULATE CONCUSSION: THE TRUTH BEHIND HAVANA SYNDROME” https://news.hss.edu/cnn-special-report--immaculate-concussion-the-truth-behind-havana-syndrome/ https://news.hss.edu/cnn-special-report--immaculate-concussion-the-truth-behind-havana-syndrome/535602CNN featuring Teena Shetty, MD

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CNN aired a Special Report called “Immaculate Concussion: The Truth Behind Havana Syndrome” and CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta investigates “Havana Syndrome,” exploring a cluster of unexplained health incidents resembling concussion-like injuries, which were first reported by American officials and covert personnel serving in Havana in late 2016.

Dr. Gupta interviews HSS neurologist Teena Shetty, MD, treated a patient with symptoms consistent with mild traumatic brain injury.

Dr. Shetty explained, “His story was unusual and intriguing. What Mark exhibited to me was a constellation of neurological symptoms which were typical of concussion, however something was conspicuously absent. He did not have any clear history of a contact injury to the head or neck causing a whiplash mechanism which could have caused the concussion.”

The CNN Special Report aired on Sunday, September 25, at 8 p.m. ET. Read more at CNN.com.

]]> Mon, 26 Sep 2022 17:24:00 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/500_hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 Longitudinal Assessments Are Key to Tracking Cognitive Outcomes and Best Interventions After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury https://news.hss.edu/longitudinal-assessments-are-key-to-tracking-cognitive-outcomes-and-best-interventions-after-mild-traumatic-brain-injury/ https://news.hss.edu/longitudinal-assessments-are-key-to-tracking-cognitive-outcomes-and-best-interventions-after-mild-traumatic-brain-injury/496738NeurologyToday featuring Teena Shetty, MD

]]>NeurologyToday reports on a new study published in Neurology finding poor one-year cognitive outcome is common and documented in 13.5 percent of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) presenting to trauma centers in the United States, and highlights the importance of following up with longitudinal cognitive assessments to classify cognitive outcomes more accurately after mTBI and to determine the best interventions for promoting a smoother recovery.

HSS neurologist Teena Shetty, MD, who was not involved in study, said she was intrigued by the study's examination of unexplored territory.

She explained, “Specifically, cognitive outcome is not routinely evaluated in the context of long-term prognosis. I think it is something that is important to understand better. Many mTBI patients complain of unique, subtle cognitive difficulties with attention, comprehension, word finding difficulties, and working memory problems.”

She noted that disparities may contribute to poorer outcomes. “The findings are quite striking and one important implication is that recovery from mTBI may need to be redefined or looked at more comprehensively,” said Dr. Shetty. Furthermore, “it was notable that a number of patients with poor cognitive outcomes not only had lower socioeconomic status but also had co-morbid depression.”

She cited that a potential limitation of the study—and one that the authors acknowledge—is the lack of expert consensus on the clear definition of poorer one-year cognitive outcomes after mTBI.

Read the full article at Journals.lww.com.

]]> Thu, 03 Mar 2022 16:59:00 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/500_hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 Diplomat sickened in China pledges to donate his brain https://news.hss.edu/diplomat-sickened-in-china-pledges-to-donate-his-brain-dr-shetty/ https://news.hss.edu/diplomat-sickened-in-china-pledges-to-donate-his-brain-dr-shetty/335406The Boston Globe featuring Teena Shetty, MD

]]>The Boston Globe reports Mark Lenzi is among dozens of American diplomats in Cuba and China who were evacuated after reporting symptoms of a brain injury (i.e. headaches, trouble sleeping and forgetfulness). While Lenzi’s symptoms resemble those of a concussion, he never hit his head, and the incident is still under investigation. Lenzi signed a pledge to donate his brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to the study, treatment, and prevention of the effects of brain trauma in athletes and others. When he dies, if his next of kin agree, Lenzi’s brain will be placed in the brain bank used by researchers at Boston University and the VA Boston Healthcare System.

In 2016, Lenzi was referred to and treated by Teena Shetty, MD, neurologist at HSS, after experiencing severe headaches. The Boston Globe spoke to Dr. Shetty, who commented on the case, saying, Lenzi “exhibited a constellation of symptoms which were consistent with those typically seen in mild traumatic brain injury, but notably without any history of head trauma. I have not seen a case like this before. It’s very unusual.” Dr. Shetty added, “At this point it is still unclear whether some kind of novel neurological mechanism underlies the constellation of symptoms he has.”

Read the full article at Bostonglobe.com. This article also appeared in print on May 11, 2019.

Additional coverage: NYPost.com.

]]> Fri, 10 May 2019 15:56:00 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/500_hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2373/hss-flat-lightblue-logo-01-201130.png?10000 Brain Trauma Suffered by U.S. Diplomats Abroad Could Be Work of Hostile Foreign Government https://news.hss.edu/brain-trauma-suffered-by-us-diplomats-abroad-could-be-work-of-hostile-foreign-government/ https://news.hss.edu/brain-trauma-suffered-by-us-diplomats-abroad-could-be-work-of-hostile-foreign-government/331259CBS’ '60 Minutes' reports on unexplained brain trauma suffered by U.S. diplomats in Cuba and China. According to the segment, 25 Americans in Cuba suffered serious brain injuries in 2016 and 2017 and at least 15 American officials in China also experienced unexplained brain trauma soon after. The FBI is currently investigating if this was caused by a hostile foreign government attack with a mysterious weapon.

Correspondent Scott Pelley interviews multiple sources who have been suffering from symptoms including Mark Lenzi, a State Department security officer, who worked in China.

Teena Shetty, MD, neurologist at HSS, recalls that while Lenzi did not have any history of trauma, he reported a number of neurologic symptoms characteristic of mild traumatic brain injury.

"The presumption is that something happened which caused a functional brain injury of widespread brain networks because he has symptoms to reflect a multitude of brain networks," explains Dr. Shetty.

Watch the full segment at CBSNews.com. This also aired on March 17, 2019.
 

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