Dr. Darwin Chen, MD

A timeless review for Dr Chen, a most wonderful Dr. and human being. Gratitude and deep appreciation for Dr Chen’s compassion, empathy, and care throughout my process. After previous recent surgeries, my body , mind, and spirit were in a different place, unrecognizable to myself. The hip surgery was a success. My core strength strength would take time but healing was my focus.There was an openness around Dr Chen’s ways of being and insightfulness on his visits with me. Words shared of “Tough Love” was the moment that the tornado inside me was lifted. It was instantaneous that I knew I would be better and stronger. Thank you Dr Chen for your Grace, Commitment, and for being “Authentically” you! I highly recommend Dr Chen to be the Doctor of choice to have a smooth transition back to greatness.

Dr. Chen is an expert in knee replacement. His staff makes you feel like you are the only one having the surgery. Dr. Chen is very reassuring and was there for me every step of the way. I have called several times with concerns and he returned the call personally each time. I would highly recommend Dr. Chen and his team. Patricia in his office is amazing as well and takes care of all the questions and relaying messages insurance, PT, medication etc.

Dr. Chen successfully performed both a Knee(2018) and recently a hip(2021) replaced. I’ve had no issues with either replacements. I would recommend him to anyone thinking of having replacement surgery. He will meet with you in his office and discuss the best options and put you at ease about the surgery. The only point I would make to those having the surgery is to put in the work after surgery to get the body strong after hip/knee surgery. I did, and it’s probably the biggest reason that I’ve had no issues. Outstanding!!

The best thing I did was choose Dr Chen and his team to perform a hip replacement on me. His team is passionate and caring. Dr Chen explained everything about the procedure and the after care down to the T. He made me feel comfortable knowing that he would perform such a serious surgery. I would choose Dr Chen and his team over and over again if I had to ! I have zero regrets!!

I thought it was my old nemesis sciatica. For 5 years I tried acupressure, acupuncture, hot stones, PT—nothing helped. Finally got an X-ray—no cartilage left in right hip. Oy! Surgery! Oy! Oy! Looking back I wish I had had surgery years ago. 2.5 hour anterior surgery, Actis titanium hip, 1 night at Mount Sinai, 2 weeks PT at home, 3 1/2 weeks after surgery I’m back at work—walking on a cloud. I didn’t even take all my pain pills—NO PAIN. Dr Chen must have email in his pocket because he answers MyChart queries immediately—except once I emailed him when I was in the hospital, and he appeared at my bedside 5 mins later! Great team: Love Admin Asst Cristy Alifonso & PA Maureen Phillips. I did exactly as his team directed me—used antiseptic soap 5 days on my thigh, wiggled toes, flexed ankles & slid foot up & down to restart moving. I didn’t hesitate when my other hip started hurting. Now I have a matching set of titanium hips & zero pain. Cost w Medicare A&B + AARP supplementary N = ZERO

Dr. Chen was my surgeon for two total hip replacement surgeries. For almost thirty years, I was extremely physically active, biking, running, swimming, playing tennis and squash. But slowly, over about a ten year period, extreme pain would develop after any physical activity and radiate down on the outer part of my leg. Xrays revealed I suffered from osteoarthritis and that he femur bone in my hip had totally collapsed. I was referred to Dr. Chen for surgery. I learned it was not only my right hip, it was my left hip too. It wasn't until my right hip surgery, I discovered how painful my left hip was too. Dr. Chen was very helpful in fitting me in to his schedule. Now I am happy to report I am completely pain free. I joined the gym again and am on the elliptical, spinning bike and rowing machine. I walk an hour a day. I do yoga. I am lifting weights. It's great. I am so grateful that I decided to have surgery.

I found Dr. Chen through some personal networking among friends. I'm very pleased I did. In late 2017, I found myself to be the victim of a bacterial staph infection of my prosthetic hip. I went septic and nearly lost my life. Infection doctors were able to clear my blood and organs, but unfortunately my ortho surgeon failed to clear it from my hip. I was told that the femoral stem was stuck in my femur and that the surgery required for its removal was too extensive and that I could be off my feet for up to 18 months. He placed me on a daily antibiotic, which failed after less than two years resulting in infection spread. I was very nervous that my life was again at risk so I travelled to NYC to visit Mt. Sinai and Dr. Chen. Dr. Chen welcomed me into his practice, gave me a full exam and told me he could help. He wasn't kidding. That visit was last Sep. After a two-stage surgery (Oct 2019 and Jan 2020), it appears that my infection has been cleared and now I'm working twice… weekly with my PT. I walk unassisted and am back to being a dad and husband. There are so many other things I could add bc after two years, the infection did a number on my leg bone, and I do have permanent damage, but Dr. Chen was able to give me my life back. And frankly because I had a very serious risk of going septic again, there was no way Dr. Chen was going to let me go on with my life while having a deadly infection fester inside me. Not only is he a master surgeon, he is down to earth, easy to speak with and he communicates at a layman's level. He and his team, incl PA Maureen and his office manager Patty are making my recovery manageable and more importantly, achievable. I highly recommend Dr. Chen.

Six months ago, Dr. Chen performed anterior left hip replacement surgery on me and I am thrilled with the results. I felt very little pain after the surgery and was home within two days. I barely needed assistance of the walker. Prior to the surgery, I was in intense pain and limping terribly. Post surgery, I am pain free and walking normally again. I do the stretching exercises daily I learned in physical therapy to keep my 70+ year old legs and hips working extremely well. I strongly recommend Dr. Darwin Chen as your surgeon and doctor. He is the best! The care I received at Mt. Sinai Hospital (NYC) was superb.

My husband & I cannot give enough praise and accolades to Dr. Chen. My husband had 3 knee surgeries in 21 months in another hospital, by another doctor. The first surgery was a total knee replacement. 4 months later he tore a tendon and his knee cap shifted. He needed repair surgery. Months later he developed a Staph Infection. Another surgery. After 5 weeks on IV antibiotics at home, he developed a DVT in his arm from the pickline. When he got home from the hospital, he finished his last week of IV at home and then his knee and leg turned black and started bleeding. The original surgeon literally threw up his hands and sent him to Dr. Chen. Dr. Chen told us that he would TRY to get rid of the infection and TRY to save his leg. He put him in the hospital that night (Friday) and operated on Monday. We didn’t know if he was coming out of surgery with his leg or not. Dr. Chen not only saved his leg, but his life, as he was going septic. Dr. Chen did all of this with kindness… and compassion. He took the time to listen to our concerns and answer all of our questions. G-d Bless you, Dr. Chen.

There is not enough praise and accolades that I can give to Dr. Chen. My husband had 3 knee surgeries in 21 months in another hospital and with another doctor. The first one was a total knee replacement, 4 months later he tore a tendon in that knee and needed repair surgery to fix the tendon and realign his knee cap. Third surgery was for a Staph Infection. After five weeks on IV antibiotics at home he developed a DVT in his arm from the pickline. After returning home from the hospital he finished his last week of IV. His leg then turned Black. His surgeon literally threw up his hands and sent him to Dr. Chen. Dr. Chen told us that he will try to get rid of the infection and save his leg. He put him in Mount Sinai that night, which was a Friday. He operated on him on Monday. Not only did he save his leg, but he saved his life, as he was going septic. We owe Dr. Chen so much. All the while, he was kind, compassionate and always took the time to listen to our concerns and… answer any questions. G-d Bless you, Dr. Chen.