Kate Johnson's ski vacation in Japan turned dangerous when a fall at 16 weeks pregnant led to a torn ACL and meniscus damage. The Hoboken resident faced an uphill battle finding a doctor willing to perform surgery during pregnancy, with most suggesting she wait until after delivery. NYU Langone Health became her solution.

Johnson contacted 15-20 doctors before finding Dr. Abigail Campbell, co-director of NYU Langone's Center for Women's Sports Medicine. Campbell, who was pregnant herself at the time, performed the ACL reconstruction and meniscus repairs when Johnson was about 16 weeks along. The surgery required special precautions including double lead aprons to protect both fetuses from radiation during necessary X-rays.

Campbell emphasized that while some surgeons postpone non-emergency procedures on pregnant women due to anesthesia concerns, recent orthopedic trauma studies show safe outcomes for surgery during pregnancy. Johnson gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Brody, in October 2025, and Campbell delivered a daughter in July. The case highlights the challenges pregnant women face in receiving timely medical care and the importance of weighing benefits against risks for elective procedures that could cause long-term damage if delayed.