In Memoriam Perspective
Freddie Fu, MD BY NANCY KENNEDY ioneering orthopedic surgeon Freddie Fu, MD, died on September 24, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Acclaimed throughout the world and cherished in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Dr. Fu founded UPMC’s world-renowned sports medicine program, served as long-time chairman of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery and as head team physician for Pitt’s Department of Athletics. He was recognized worldwide for his innovative research and teaching, leading to many clinical advancements in sports medicine and orthopedic care, particularly in treating knee injuries. Throughout his life and career, Dr. Fu worked passionately to always set the bar higher for his local, national and international medical/surgical colleagues, thousands of medical students, surgical residents and fellows who came to Pittsburgh to learn from the best, and most of all, for his tens of thousands of patients - elite, professional and amateur athletes from around the globe as well as non-athletes from around the corner who sought Dr. Fu’s expert care. Dr. Fu performed over 20,000 knee surgeries and saved the careers of many famous athletes, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Swedish soccer player who is considered one of that sports greatest players of all time. Ibrahimovic credits Dr. Fu with saving his career following a ruptured ACL in 2017. Following Dr. Fu’s death, Ibrahimovic tweeted, “Freddie Fu gave me a second
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ACMS Bulletin / October 2021
Dr. Fu chance in my career. I’m still on top just because of him. I owe him everything. Thank you Freddie Fu, rest in peace.” For Matt Langton, Dr. Fu was much more than a top-notch orthopedic surgeon. He was an inspiration and the restorer of a boyhood dream. In the summer of 2000, Matt was about to begin his freshman year at Mt. Lebanon High School, where he was set to join the soccer team. Matt had been playing competitive soccer since age 12 and was passionate about the sport. But he began having excruciating pain in his leg when he tried to run. An orthopedic surgeon told Matt and his parents that Matt needed surgery on his knee but he was still growing. The growth plates in his leg were moving and nothing could be done in the short term. Matt would have to wait three or four years before he could have surgery. There would be no soccer for Matt for a long time. The news was a crushing blow. “Soccer was everything to me,” Matt says. “All I wanted was to play on that team. I went home and sobbed.” His parents knew what was at stake for their son. They managed to get an appointment for Matt with Dr. Fu. Matt recalls that event with vivid clarity. “We went to the UPMC Sports Facility, and just walking in there was amazing. There
were big photographs of famous athletes who had been treated by Dr. Fu. He explained that a fracture on my kneecap had caused a bone chip. He told me, ‘I’ll just remove the chipped bone, we’ll get you to PT to restore your muscles and you’ll be back to playing in three months. You can run.’ He made it simple and easy.” Matt’s surgery was a success, he had no further knee problems and he went on to play competitive soccer for years. After playing for Mt. Lebanon, he went on to Division 1 Soccer at the University of Pittsburgh. In 2008-2009, he played for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Matt credits Dr. Fu for changing his life. “Dr. Fu had a profound influence on me. The trajectory of my life would have been so different if not for him. Sports were my life and he understood that. I was so fortunate that I was able to see him. Dr. Fu gave me back my future and restored my hope.” Matt is 35 now and still plays soccer. His passion for sports led him to create a non-profit soccer organization to teach children the benefits of sports. “Sports create a positive environment for learning teamwork, respect, discipline and making friends. I love soccer for the creativity and teamwork; soccer is the world’s game; it connects people across cultures. Soccer has meant everything to me, and I am forever grateful to Dr. Fu for restoring my dream.” Dr. Fu was the David Silver Professor, Division of Sports Medicine, distinguished service professor, and chair, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; head team physician, Department of Athletics; professor of physical therapy, School of Health and Continued on page 298
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