Arthroscopic Knee Surgery in New York
Knee arthroscopy is one of the most commonly performed orthopedic procedures in the world — a minimally invasive surgical technique that allows a surgeon to visualize, diagnose, and treat problems inside the knee joint through incisions no larger than a pencil tip. Using a small camera called an arthroscope and specialized instruments inserted through two or three keyhole-sized portals, the surgeon can examine every structure within the knee and perform a wide range of procedures — from meniscus repair and cartilage smoothing to ACL reconstruction and loose body removal — with significantly less tissue disruption, lower infection risk, and faster recovery than traditional open surgery. Most arthroscopic knee procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, with patients returning home the same day.
Dr. Jonathan Glashow is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, with fellowship training in arthroscopic surgery at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute/UCLA — one of the premier arthroscopy training programs in the country — and membership in the Arthroscopy Association of North America. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, he has performed more than 15,000 orthopedic procedures, and knee arthroscopy represents the technical foundation of his practice — from the all-inside ACL reconstruction technique he pioneered to the complex meniscal repairs and cartilage restoration procedures he performs on professional athletes as Chief Medical Officer for the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers. Named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor every year since 2000, Dr. Glashow performs arthroscopic knee surgery at Midtown Surgery Center — a state-of-the-art outpatient facility with one of the lowest infection rates in New York — and at his Upper East Side practice in New York City.
What is Knee Arthroscopy?
Knee arthroscopy is an operation routinely performed by the Upper East Side, NYC, orthopedic surgeons, that uses a specially designed telescope called an arthroscope. Knee arthroscopy is oftentimes refereed to as “arthroscopic knee surgery”. With arthroscopic knee surgery the arthroscope is inserted into your knee through a small incision (“key-hole” surgery). The arthroscope utilizes a digital camera through which the inside of your knee can be thoroughly inspected. If needed, any necessary procedures (e.g. removing torn cartilage, ligament reconstructions) can be carried out at this time through separate small incisions.
Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure our Upper East Side, NYC, orthopaedic surgeons use to visualize, diagnose and treat problems inside a joint.
Arthroscopy is useful in evaluating and treating the following conditions:
- Torn floating cartilage (meniscus): The cartilage is trimmed to a stable rim or occasionally repaired
- Torn surface (articular) cartilage
- Removal of loose bodies (cartilage or bone that has broken off) and cysts
- Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate ligament (ACL)
- Patello-femoral (knee-cap) disorders
- Diagnostic knee purposes
A routine X-Ray of the knee, which includes a standing weight-bearing view is usually required by the Upper East Side, NYC, arthroscopic knee surgeon. An MRI scan (or a T2 cartogram) which looks at the cartilages and soft tissues may be needed if the diagnosis is unclear to your orthopedic surgeon.
- Knee Arthroscopy for Meniscal Cartilage Tears
Following a twisting type of injury the medial (or lateral) meniscus can tear. Meniscal cartilage tears usually results either from a sporting injury or may occur from a simple twisting injury. Cartilages become a little brittle as we get older and therefore can tear a little easier. The symptoms of a torn cartilage include: pain over the torn area, knee swelling, reduced motion, knee buckling or locking if the cartilage gets caught between the femur a tibia.
- Knee Arthroscopy for Cartilage Tears
Once a meniscal cartilage has torn it will not heal unless it is a very small tear that is near the capsule of the joint. Once the cartilage has torn it predisposes the knee to develop osteoarthritis. It is strategically advised by our NYC orthopedic surgeons to remove torn pieces from the knee if the knee is symptomatic.
Torn cartilages in general continue to cause symptoms of discomfort, pain and swelling until the loose, ragged pieces are removed. Only the torn section is removed and the knee should recover and become symptom free. If the entire meniscus is removed, the knee will develop osteoarthritis. It is standard practice by our NYC orthopedic surgeosn to remove only the torn section of cartilage this will delay / prevent the onset of long-term wear and tear osteoarthritis.
- Knee Arthroscopy for Articular Cartilage (Surface) Injury
If the surface cartilage is torn large pieces of articular cartilage can float in the knee (sometimes with bone attached) and this causes locking of the joint and can cause further deterioration due to the loose bodies floating around the knee causing further wear and tear. Most surface cartilage wear will ultimately lead to osteoarthritis. Mechanical symptoms of pain and swelling due to cartilage peeling off can be helped with arthroscopic surgery. Knee arthroscopy for articular cartilage (surface) injuries smooths the edges of the surface cartilage and removes loose bodies.
- Knee Arthroscopy for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Rupture of the Anterior (rarely the posterior) Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is a common sporting injury. Once ruptured the ACL does not heal and usually causes knee instability and the inability to return to normal sporting activities. An ACL reconstruction is required and a new ligament is fashioned to replace the ruptured ligament. This procedure is performed using the arthroscope.
- Patella (knee-cap) Disorders
The arthroscope can be used to treat problems relating to kneecap disorders, particularly mal-tracking and significant surface cartilage tears. The majority of common kneecap problems can be treated with physical therapy and rehabilitation.
- Inflammatory Arthritis
Occasionally arthroscopy is used in inflammatory conditions (e.g. Rheumatoid Arthritis) to help reduce the amount of inflamed synovium (joint lining) that is producing excess joint fluid. This procedure is called a synovectomy.
Arthroscopy of the Knee: Patient Information
- The Arthroscope is introduced through a small (size of a pen) incision on the outer side of the knee. A second incision on the inner side of the knee is made to introduce the instruments that allow examination of the joint and treatment of the problem.
Please note: After knee arthroscopy, a post-operative visit to your orthopedic surgeon will be organized approximately a few days s following your knee arthroscopy surgery.
If you are an out of town patient seeking our orthopedic surgeon’s best in class sports medicine diagnostic and surgery services, please review the following link for travel information to our New York practice: Out of town travel information for our arthroscopic knee surgery patients.
Our orthopedic surgeons pride ourselves with providing you highly personalized and comprehensive orthopedic care. Our philosophy of direct orthopedic surgeon to patient care at every visit has made us one of the most trusted and respected practices on the Upper East Side in NYC. Feel free to contact us today, at any time, and start yourself on the road to recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
What conditions can be treated with knee arthroscopy?
Knee arthroscopy can be used to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions including meniscus tears, articular cartilage damage, loose bodies within the joint, ACL and other ligament injuries, patellofemoral disorders and kneecap maltracking, synovitis and inflamed joint lining, and certain types of early osteoarthritis. Dr. Glashow evaluates each patient’s imaging and clinical examination to determine whether arthroscopic surgery is the most appropriate approach for their specific condition.
How is arthroscopic knee surgery different from open knee surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery uses two or three small incisions — each roughly the width of a pencil — through which a camera and miniature instruments are inserted to visualize and treat the problem inside the joint. Open knee surgery requires a larger incision to directly access the joint. The arthroscopic approach produces less tissue disruption, less post-operative pain, lower infection risk, smaller scars, and significantly faster recovery than open surgery. However, certain complex procedures — such as total knee replacement or some multi-ligament reconstructions — still require an open approach. Dr. Glashow recommends the least invasive technique that will reliably address the problem.
Is knee arthroscopy performed under general anesthesia?
Most arthroscopic knee procedures are performed under a combination of regional anesthesia (a nerve block that numbs the leg) and light sedation, which provides complete pain control while avoiding the risks associated with general anesthesia. In some cases, general anesthesia may be recommended depending on the complexity and expected duration of the procedure. Dr. Glashow discusses the anesthesia plan with each patient during the pre-operative consultation.
How long does arthroscopic knee surgery take?
The duration depends on the specific procedure being performed. Simple diagnostic arthroscopy or meniscus trimming may take 30 to 45 minutes, while more complex procedures like ACL reconstruction, meniscal repair, or cartilage restoration can take one to two hours. Regardless of the procedure length, most patients go home the same day.
What does recovery look like after knee arthroscopy?
Recovery varies based on the procedure performed. Simple meniscus trimming or loose body removal typically allows a return to daily activities within one to two weeks and sports within four to six weeks. More complex procedures like ACL reconstruction or meniscal repair require a longer, phased rehabilitation program — often six to twelve months for full return to competition. Dr. Glashow provides each patient with a specific recovery timeline and coordinates rehabilitation closely with physical therapists to optimize the outcome.
Will I need physical therapy after arthroscopic knee surgery?
In most cases, yes. Physical therapy is an essential part of recovery after knee arthroscopy — particularly for procedures involving ligament reconstruction, meniscal repair, or cartilage restoration — and plays a critical role in restoring range of motion, rebuilding strength, and preventing re-injury. Even after simpler procedures like meniscus trimming, a short course of guided exercises helps patients regain full knee function more quickly and safely. Dr. Glashow prescribes a rehabilitation plan tailored to each patient’s procedure, activity level, and recovery goals.
