Selected work

Judged the only way surgery should be judged: the life after.

These are the case types this practice is built for — not a gallery of incisions. Pathways, anonymized. If yours looks like one of them, send the films today.

Featured · Hip · Outpatient

Home the same evening. Walking because it was time, not because it was trendy.

The problem

Bone-on-bone hip. Sleep gone. A walk that ended at two blocks. Told to “wait a little longer.”

The plan

Medical optimization first. Robotic-arm total hip. Same-day pathway only after the house, the coach, and the heart said yes.

The result

Stand the afternoon of surgery. Own bed that night. The boardwalk again — which is the only radiograph that matters.

Discuss a hip like this

Knee · Robotic

A knee that bends because it was asked — not because it had to.

The problem

End-stage arthritis. Stairs as a negotiation. Another series of injections already spent.

The plan

A 3-D surgical plan. Cuts held inside the plan. Multimodal pain control written before the day.

The result

First walk the same day. Swelling expected. The knee stops being the main character by month three.

Discuss a knee like this

Knee · Partial

Only the worn compartment. The rest of the joint kept.

The problem

One side of the knee finished. Ligaments honest. A total replacement would have been more than was needed.

The plan

Unicompartmental replacement when the anatomy allows it. Smaller operation. Faster first weeks.

The result

A knee that still feels like theirs — which is the point of not replacing what still works.

Ask if a partial is honest

Hip · Preserve

Avascular necrosis — while there is still a window.

The problem

Bone that has lost its blood supply. Age that made someone say “too young for a hip.”

The plan

If the surface still stands: preserve. If it has collapsed: a replacement done well is not giving up.

The result

Either a saved joint, or a new one that lets a young patient stop limping for a decade.

Discuss AVN

Second opinion

You already have a date. You do not yet have certainty.

The problem

A recommendation from another room. A feeling that the plan was a template.

The plan

Bring the films and the note. Leave with a yes, a not-yet, or a different operation — in English or Spanish.

The result

The smartest decision is not switching surgeons. It is knowing why you would.

Request a second opinion

Pathways are representative of the work, not identifiable patients. Films stay private. HIPAA is not a footnote.

About the surgeon

Hire the record, then meet the person.

Michele R. D’Apuzzo, MD FAOA. Professor of Clinical Orthopaedics, University of Miami. Director of the Adult Reconstruction Fellowship. Director of Quality and Safety for Joint Replacement.

Mayo Clinic Hospital for Special Surgery Otto Aufranc Award John Insall Award 4.9 · 544 ratings English / Español

The field already voted — both namesake awards in hip and knee reconstruction. Patients rate 4.9 from 544 ratings (101 reviews) on the UHealth profile. Referring surgeons send the cases they would send to HSS. He still treats every patient like family, and he will tell you no if the honest answer is no.

The full story Work together

Contact

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Tower West (305) 689-2663 SoLé Mia (305) 256-4334

Mon–Fri, 8:00–4:30 · Tower West & SoLé Mia · Virtual visits

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Patients: Tower West or SoLé Mia. Referring physicians may use the email on the about page.

Tower West (305) 689-2663

SoLé Mia (305) 256-4334

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