He was recruited to join the rapidly growing Orthopaedic Department as an assistant professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. The focus of his recruitment was to further the development of joint replacement services in partnership with the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System. His clinical practice focuses on minimally invasive surgical techniques including direct anteri
or hip replacement, partial and total knee replacement. In every effort to enhance patient care and outcomes he utilizes technologies such as robot assisted surgery and computer navigation. He is actively involved in the development of patient centric pathways and protocols to optimize the joint replacement experience. In addition to his role in direct patient care, Dr Freedhand is involved in resident and postgraduate physician education, surgical training and instrument design used in minimally invasive joint replacement procedures of the hip and knee. Before relocating to Houston, Dr. Freedhand practiced in the Napa Valley from 2006 until the summer of 2011. He helped develop the premier practice focusing on minimally invasive joint replacement surgery using state of the art technologies including computer-assisted navigation for hip and knee replacement and robot assisted partial knee replacement. Dr. Freedhand was the first surgeon to introduce hip resurfacing and anterior approach total hip replacement to the Napa Valley and was the only fellowship trained joint replacement surgeon in the area. Dr. Freedhand practiced in suburban Philadelphia with Chester County Orthopaedic Associates from 2002 until 2006. In his West Chester practice he was able to maintain close personal and professional relationships with some of his mentors from his residency training at the University of Pennsylvania. He established a very successful and deeply satisfying practice with a focus on sports medicine and joint replacement surgery. Originally from Rockaway Beach, NY, Dr. Freedhand received his undergraduate degree in biology from Yale University and completed the premedical program in 1987. He then took a four year hiatus from academics in the continued pursuit of his athletic career as a flatwater kayak racer. During the 1980’s he was a member of several national teams competing overseas in multiple world championship events and the Pan American games. In the United States he competed in several national championships and Olympic Festivals. He competed in the 1988 Olympic trials in flatwater kayak racing narrowly missing selection to the team. Dr. Freedhand was active in coaching and enjoyed teaching kayak paddling and youth development in his sport. After his athletic career Dr. Freedhand returned to academia and received his medical degree from the State University of New York, Health Science Center at Brooklyn. He graduated summa cm laude at the top of his class in 1995. Though he was originally interested in primary care his exposure to orthopaedic surgery captivated his interest. Realizing that orthopaedics offered the possibility of medical and surgical management of sports related problems he changed his career path. Dr. Freedhand completed his internship and orthopaedic surgery residency at the Hospital for the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA in 2000. During his years of orthopaedic residency he was fortunate to receive training from some of the pioneers and world experts in joint replacement surgery of the hip, knee and shoulder. His experiences and mentor relationships developed at the University of Pennsylvania continue to influence his practice today. Dr. Freedhand’s fellowship training was at the Insall, Scott, Kelly Institute for Adult Reconstruction and Sports Medicine in New York, NY. Dr. John Insall is widely regarded as the father of modern total knee replacement. During his fellowship year Dr Freedhand was involved in approximately 1500 surgeries. In addition to advanced joint replacement surgery experience, the fellowship included world class sports medicine training. His experience involved caring for multiple professional teams including the New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets and New York Liberty. Dr. Freedhand is an avid athlete and enjoys skiing, board sports, mountain biking, golf and yoga.
