Orthopedic Partners

01/15/2026

Travel can be tough on your joints, but movement is one of the most effective tools we have to stay well.⁠
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One of our leading joint replacement surgeons, Dr. Justin Thoms, is joining his wife, Kate, for a special workshop at Niantic Yoga focused on maintaining mobility while traveling.⁠
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From long flights to busy schedules, joint stiffness and discomfort are common, especially before or after joint replacement. This workshop blends yoga, mobility work, and practical strategies you can use anywhere to support joint health and movement confidence.⁠
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Whether you’re planning a winter getaway or spending long hours at a desk, this session offers tools you can carry with you - and a chance to work directly with two experienced movement professionals.⁠
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This workshop is appropriate for all levels.

Save the date, and share with someone who could use a little more ease in their movement.⁠
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01/08/2026

When it comes to foot and ankle care, understanding who you’re seeing matters.

Foot and ankle pain doesn’t exist in isolation. Foot pain can affect your knees, hips, and how you move every day.

Orthopedic foot & ankle surgeons are trained as physicians and surgeons first, then specialize, allowing them to treat the foot and ankle as part of the entire movement system.

That perspective helps guide both surgical and non-surgical care with long-term outcomes in mind.

Dr. Vafek is one of two foot and ankle surgeons at Orthopedic Partners, offering care rooted in experience, precision, and a full-body approach.

01/07/2026

One of 2025’s bright spots for our clinic was welcoming Tiara Bianco, PA-C, to the Orthopedic Partners care team.

As well as assisting during surgery, Tiara works closely with our surgeons in the hospital, helping care for patients before and after orthopedic surgery - answering questions, managing recovery, and supporting patients through some of their most important healing moments.

Her bright energy and attention to detail make a real difference for patients and families.

We’re grateful to have you on our team, Tiara!

12/31/2025

Starting the New Year on the right foot doesn’t mean doing more. It means doing what supports your long-term health.

Small steps, consistent care, and a clear plan can go a long way toward feeling better and moving with confidence in the year ahead.

We’re grateful for our patients, our team, and our community - and proud to support every step forward.

12/25/2025

From our Orthopedic Partners family to yours, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a season filled with health, rest, and time with the people who matter most.

12/23/2025

In case you missed Channel 8’s story yesterday, take a listen to Dr. Ammar Anbari’s segment with Lisa Carberg and his recent patient, Laura.

If, like Laura, you or someone you know has shoulder pain that is getting in the way of life's essential daily tasks (like warming up a cup of coffee), share this highlight with them.

Advancements in imaging and robotic guidance are making shoulder surgery more precise and outcomes more consistent than ever before.

We are very proud to have Dr. Anbari bringing this level of care to our patients here in Connecticut.

In the past, robotic-assisted surgery was used to do hip and knee replacements, but now technology has made it available for shoulder replacements.

12/18/2025

This moment says a lot.

📐 Nearly 100 degrees of motion
👏 “Great job doing your homework.”

After knee replacement, progress doesn’t come from forcing movement - it comes from doing the right work, the right way, again and again.

Kneecap mobility might seem small, but it plays a big role in how comfortably your knee bends and straightens.

New year goals don’t need to be extreme.
They need to be consistent.

And this is what consistency looks like.

12/16/2025

Some clinics hang photos of elite athletes.
Ours reminds you who’s watching your rehab form.

If next year’s goals include moving better or feeling stronger, consistency starts now.

Enjoy the holidays - but don't sacrifice your self-care.

Santa may or may not be watching, but your PT notices more than you think.

12/02/2025

Pain that lasts for years can make recovery feel impossible - until it isn’t.

As we lean into gratitude this holiday season, we’re reminded how meaningful it is to hear directly from the people we’re privileged to care for.

One of the greatest compliments a surgeon can receive is a patient who takes the time to share their experience.

Thank you for trusting our team with your recovery.

11/27/2025

Our clinic is taking a short break to rest and recharge - and we hope you are too.

We’ll be back to our regular schedule Monday.

From our family to yours, wishing you a happy, healthy, and peaceful Thanksgiving 🦃💙

11/12/2025

A 3D map of the patient’s shoulder.
Virtual implant placement.
Millimeter-by-millimeter adjustments before the first incision.

Precise implant positioning is critical to a stable, long-lasting reverse total shoulder replacement.

As the only surgeon in the Northeast performing robotic-assisted reverse total shoulder replacements, Dr. Anbari uses the advanced planning software shown here to optimize the baseplate, screw angles, and fixation depth for each patient's specific anatomy.

Innovation in motion, one shoulder at a time.

11/06/2025

Numb fingers. Sleepless nights. Increasing pain in the dominant hand.
For many patients, this is what carpal tunnel looks like before treatment.

That’s often when people turn to a hand specialist.

Dr. Kardestuncer helps patients understand what’s really happening inside the wrist, why symptoms worsen, and when surgery becomes the right next step.

For many patients with nighttime numbness, severe tingling, and loss of function in the dominant hand, treating both sides is part of the plan.

Clear expectations matter. From recovery timelines to anesthesia and planning for help at home, Dr. Kardestuncer makes sure patients know what to expect so they can move forward with confidence.