Steven F. Harwin, MD, FACS | Orthopaedic Surgeon, New York, NY

Arthroscopic Surgery of the Knee

The knee joint absorbs shock and supports the body's full weight on a nearly constant basis. All of this wear and tear can lead to problems within the joint, many of which can be treated with arthroscopic surgery. Arthroscopy for the knee has become so ubiquitous the process is often referred to as "scoping the knee."

Meniscus Repair

The meniscus is a wedge-shaped disc of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber and helps provide stability within the knee joint. The meniscus can be torn or damaged during athletic activity or traumatic injury such as a fall. These tears can affect the function of the knee joint and prevent the knee from supporting weight. These injuries can, however, be repaired using arthroscopic techniques.

Because the meniscus receives relatively limited blood flow, the size and location of the tear affects recovery time and the success rate of arthroscopic surgery; however, surgeons are generally able to repair small tears and restore a full range of motion to the knee joint.

ACL Repair

Surgeries to repair the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) have evolved over the last several decades to require shorter recovery time and increasingly smaller incisions. The ACL is one of the major ligaments running through the knee joint, which means ACL injuries are taken very seriously by athletes and active patients. Most surgeries to repair and rebuild the ACL use arthroscopic means, allowing patients to get back on their feet quicker than ever before.

Knee Arthroscopy by Microfracture

Microfracture, another arthroscopic procedure used to treat pain of the knee joint, involves exposing bone marrow cells to areas where cartilage has worn away in an effort to grow new cartilage. This procedure can be used to replace cartilage worn out or displaced by a variety of knee ailments in active people, but a patient with low levels of activity or with widespread arthritis affecting the entire knee joint may not make for the best candidate.

Shortened Recovery Time

Arthroscopic surgery requires a much shorter period of recovery than traditional surgery. Because most incisions created during arthroscopic surgery are approximately 1 centimeter long, healing times are dramatically reduced and patients are up and moving at an accelerated pace. Arthroscopic procedures also greatly reduce the risk of infection as well as incision size compared to other types of surgery.

The Best Treatment in New York City

Dr. Steven Harwin, Adult Reconstructive Surgery Chief at Beth Israel Medical Center, served a visiting fellowship in hip and knee surgery in the United States and Europe. A distinguished board-certified orthopedic surgeon based in New York City, Dr. Harwin is a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons and specializes in a wide range of orthopedic procedures, including the latest advancements in arthroscopic surgery of the hip and knee.