DONNA IMPRESA cover SANDRO FERRARI _ TORONTO

INTERVIEW
What does an orthopaedic doctor do?
Not an orthopaedic doctor, but an advance
orthopaedic technologist. For humans, my job
required realigning broken bones and
immobilizing with casting. Also fitting humans
& now canines with CUSTOM BRACES FOR
VARIOUS INJURIES.
How did you get started in the
orthopaedic field?
I played sports my whole life. I did not reach
the level of professional athlete, but I knew I
wanted to help athletes. So, I studied
anatomy, physiology and sports medicine at
Ohio University in the U.S. right after high
school. I came back to Toronto and attended
Ryerson where once again I studied anatomy
and physiology; I also took a private
orthopedic course at Canada Career College
(CCCITM) to learn more about aligning
broken bones, along with casting techniques.
I began my career 26 years ago at what is
now Humber River Hospital, where I still work
today in the fracture clinic. There are very few
of us around, you may find only two or three
technologists at a hospital.
How did you end up working with
professional athletes?
That's a great question! The feedback from
my work was quite honestly wonderful, so
some high end sports medicine doctors
started to refer me. I also did a lot of hustling;
I would pick up the phone, called these
specialists and tell them I wanted to work with
their clients. I ended up working with the
Toronto Maple Leafs, for whom I was their
official brace specialist. I have treated Paul
Henderson, Frank Mahovlich, Ed Belfour,
Curtis Joseph and Darcy Tucker, along with
Olympic athletes, and entertainers such as
Trish Stratus, the WWE star and Phil X,
guitarist for Bon Jovi. I have to go to the
homes of some of the athletes, due to
confidentiality issues-media interest in
injuries is not welcome! But these situations
take many hours of travel and follow up;
fortunately, now I have a staff of eight, but I
admit I still want to take care of most of the
patients myself. [...]
In the photo: Sandro Ferrari and Phil X guitar player Band of Bon Jovi
Phil X the IDOL "When I
injured my knee & needed
a custom fitting knee brace,
Sandro & the staff at
Brace Yourself were very
knowledgeable,
professional and made me
feel at ease. Upon
receiving my brace, I was
very pleased and
impressed with the fit."
Sandro
worked with
international
stars for
human
braces like his
good friend
Phil X
guitar
player
band for
Bon Jovi.