How MOSA Helped a Soccer Player Pursue His Dream After Injury

Featured Doctor

Lawrence Berson, MD

Dr. Lawrence Berson is a fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon at Middlesex Orthopedic & Spine Associates.

The Injury

As a standout soccer player pursuing a college career, Daniel was preparing to play in an important tournament in Arizona that would showcase his talents. But in November of 2025, before he could travel to Arizona, Daniel suffered a serious leg injury during a tournament in New Jersey: a broken fibula with additional ligament damage. The providers at the local walk-in clinic in New Jersey urged Daniel’s family to arrange for immediate surgery, but Daniel’s father, Jonathan, a physical therapist at Middlesex Orthopedic & Spine Associates (MOSA), turned to the orthopedic experts in Connecticut they trusted most.

The Solution

Daniel’s family contacted Dr. David J. Hergan, sports medicine and joint replacement surgeon at MOSA. After reviewing Daniel’s imaging, he referred to a MOSA physician with the specialized training and expertise to provide the right care: foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Lawrence Berson. Based on his evaluation of Daniel and his goal of continuing his competitive soccer career, Dr. Berson recommended surgery to fixate Daniel’s broken fibula. Additionally, Dr. Berson needed to repair Daniel’s disrupted deltoid ligament and syndesmosis joint, which were injured at the same time he suffered his fracture. To complete this repair, Dr. Berson used a new technique called a tightrope procedure. Rather than using a large screw to stabilize the tibia and fibula – the traditional approach that requires several months of rehab – this procedure uses a strong fiber wire to stabilize the tibia and fibula, which accelerates recovery.

The Results

Thanks to Dr. Berson’s expertise in this state-of-the-art technique, Daniel was able to return to the soccer field. One week after surgery, Daniel began putting weight on his surgical leg, and started his rehabilitation in earnest. Just 11 weeks after surgery, he was fully healed and traveled to Barcelona, Spain, with his regional team to compete against some of the most talented young players in the world.

Daniel’s return was a triumph. He played with his team in eight games en route to the tournament’s championship match, including the entirety of the semifinals and finals. Even better, his pursuit of a college soccer career hadn’t suffered any lasting effects. Back to full health, the recruitment process resumed.

In the Surgeon’s Words

“My role as a surgeon is to understand what is most important to each patient, and do everything I can to return them to that,” Dr. Berson said. “Knowing Daniel is a highly competitive athlete, it was important to take a surgical approach aligned with his goals on and off the field.”

From the Patient’s Perspective

Daniel’s father Jonathan is grateful that Dr. Berson brought the expertise needed to help his son get back to doing what he loves. “It’s Daniel’s dream to play in college,” Jonathan explained. “Knowing that Dr. Berson had the ability to provide the latest and greatest technique to get him back on the field was special.”

Not only did Dr. Berson provide leading-edge care, but he also provided a personal touch. “He was in constant communication, letting me know Daniel would be fine. He told me he would treat my son as his own. And he did. It was amazing.”