Dr. David A. DiStefano recently joined the Joint Replacement and Shoulder/Elbow teams at SOS and will be featured in the practice’s upcoming shoulder replacement webinar on November 12.
Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists (SOS) recently welcomed David A. DiStefano, MD, to its Joint Replacement and Shoulder/ Elbow teams. A fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon, Dr. DiStefano specializes in shoulder and elbow surgery, including arthroscopic and open procedures, fracture care, tendon and ligament reconstruction, and arthroplasty.
He completed his residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center, where he served as Academic Chief Resident, followed by fellowship training at the University of Colorado and Steadman Hawkins Sports Medicine Clinic. He also spent time during training at the Sydney Shoulder Research Institute in Australia. A graduate of SUNY Upstate Medical University, he is returning to Central New York to begin his practice.
We recently spoke with Dr. DiStefano about his background, expertise, and philosophy of care.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in orthopedics?
I was born and raised in Syracuse, so Central New York is home. When I was 12, I had an orthopedic surgery myself, and it showed me how much these procedures can help people get back to doing the things they love. At 19, I participated in a medical mission trip and again saw how powerful surgery could be. Later, during medical school, I rotated through many specialties, but I never had as much fun as I did on orthopedic surgery service. That made the choice clear.
Q: What made you decide to join SOS?
SOS performed the surgery I had as a kid, so I’ve known about their reputation for a long time. After residency in Rochester and fellowship training in Colorado, I explored opportunities all over. SOS stood out as the best group to support me as a new surgeon.
I also knew some of the physicians here— they’re excellent surgeons and great people. It felt like the right place to succeed and give back to my community.
Q: What types of patients will you be seeing?
Primarily patients with shoulder and elbow issues. That can mean athletic injuries in high schoolers, overuse injuries in adults, or joint replacements for older patients.
Q: Shoulder replacement surgery has grown significantly in recent years. Why is that?
It’s an exciting time in shoulder surgery. We’re seeing the same growth hip and knee replacements experienced 10 to 15 years ago. Implants and materials today are more durable, which increases both surgeon and patient confidence. Public awareness has grown too, and we now use advanced tools like preoperative planning software, computer navigation, and even robotics to improve outcomes.
Q: What can patients expect if they need shoulder replacement surgery?
Shoulder replacement is a highly effective procedure for the right patients. Most surgeries take about an hour, and many can be done on an outpatient basis, so patients often go home the same day. Recovery happens in phases with a structured physical therapy plan. Patients usually experience noticeable pain early in their postoperative course and can begin to gradually ease back into the activities they enjoy after just a couple months.
Q: SOS is hosting a Virtual Community Talk on Wednesday, November 12, from 5:00 – 6:00 pm on Shoulder Health: Exploring Arthritis Care and Surgical Advances. What can people expect?
All four of our shoulder replacement surgeons will be presenting. We’ll cover the basics of shoulder health, details about shoulder replacement, and share data from the SOS Shoulder Replacement Registry, which tracks outcomes and shows how much these procedures improve quality of life. Attendees will be able to ask general questions when registering for the webinar.
- Please visit: sosbones.com/shoulderwebinar to register and to learn more.
Q: What is your overall philosophy of patient care?
With shoulder surgery especially, these are elective procedures. Patients don’t always “need” surgery right away. I believe in listening carefully to each patient’s goals, discussing options, and helping them decide whether non-surgical care or surgery is best. My role is to provide guidance, but ultimately, it’s the patient’s choice.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like patients to know?
I’m very excited to be back in Syracuse. I trained across the country and abroad, but this is home, and I’m grateful for the chance to care for the people of Central New York.
Dr. David A. DiStefano is now accepting new patients at SOS locations in Camillus, DeWitt, North Syracuse, and Clay. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 315-703-3449.