The treatment of cartilage injuries remains one of the most difficult challenges in medicine. The Cartilage Repair & Restoration Program brings together world-renowned scientists and physicians to meet this challenge. Our team is dedicated to providing patients with the most advanced and effective treatments for knee meniscus and articular cartilage injuries of the knee and elbow. Our research helps shape the future of cartilage repair and regeneration, with the hope that our patients will benefit from it. We offer the best possible current technology and expertise to enable patients to have a successful return to normal activities. To find out more about this program, please fill out a brief survey . There are two types of cartilage in the body—the meniscus cartilage (the most common example is the shock absorbers of the knee) and articular cartilage, which covers the bones in joints like the knee and elbow to allow smooth joint motion. In cases of extreme or extensive articular cartilage wear, patients develop osteoarthritis and may require a joint replacement. In young and active patients, cartilage injuries or defects can do more than just limit activities due to pain and swelling. If left untreated, these injuries can lead to more serious disability and, in severe cases, arthritis and possible joint replacement. Currently, procedures to repair articular cartilage are not designed to treat the extensive cartilage loss seen in osteoarthritis. However, there are procedures that are highly effective in the treatment of cartilage defects in a particular location, such as those associated with acute injury. In the case of extensive meniscus tissue loss in the knee, however, there are options for treatment such as meniscus allograft transplantation or osteotomy or even non-operative treatments such as the use of unloader braces. Not every patient is a suitable candidate for cartilage restoration or meniscus transplant surgery. These procedures are ideal for active people under age 50. Our experienced providers will assess each patient’s condition and help them make an informed decision. Our Sports Medicine Surgeons are fellowship trained and have expertise in meniscus transplant, osteochondral autograft and allograft procedures, and 2nd and 3rd generation cartilage restoration procedures. The Cartilage Repair & Restoration Program utilizes the highest quality advanced imaging, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for patient evaluation, in collaboration with Yale University’s Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging to determine the size and extent of cartilage injury to optimize patient treatment and surgical planning. When surgery becomes necessary for patients with cartilage and meniscus injury, our program offers extensive expertise. Not all surgeons are able to offer “cutting-edge” technology in cartilage restoration, as it entails development of new and sometimes more challenging surgical skills that can re

Patella instability causes a variety of problems ranging from mild shifting or clicking of the patella (kneecap) to frank patella dislocation, chronic disability, trouble with stairs, inability to run, giving way of the knee, complete collapse of the knee, chronic pain, and accelerated arthritis of the knee. Fortunately, many patients with patella instability respond to nonsurgical treatments such as bracing, taping, modification of activities, and physical therapy. The Sports Medicine Division of Yale Medicine Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation provides specialized care for adults and children with patella instability. While nonsurgical options are almost always the first-step recommendation, Yale Medicine’s Patella Instability Program offers the best possible current technology and expertise to enable patients to have a successful return to normal activities. To find out more about this program, please fill out a brief survey . The Patella Instability Program utilizes the highest quality advanced imaging, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT), for patient evaluation, in collaboration with Yale Medicine’s Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging. Our Orthopaedic specialists work with the Radiology departments and the Yale School of Engineering to offer a major initiative in three-dimensional (3-D) imaging and printing, such that a patient’s knee can, in certain complex situations, be printed into a 3-D model for detailed analysis and optimal surgical planning. 3-D analysis is particularly important for patients with trochlea dysplasia, a condition in which the femur’s groove for the patella is too shallow and deformed, worsening the patient’s symptoms of patella instability and recurrent dislocation of the patella. Yale Medicine Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation’s Division of Sports Medicine is actively researching the complexities of patellofemoral dysplasia in order to offer every patient the best possible outcome. Our program is also engaged in national and international education of orthopedic surgeons and other care providers about optimal treatment of patella instability patients. When surgery becomes necessary for patients with patella instability, Yale Medicine’s Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Sports Medicine division offers extensive expertise and long experience. The goal is to minimize surgery whenever possible, but also to recognize when more definitive surgical treatment is necessary. Our surgeons offer over 50 years of cumulative experience with tibial tubercle transfer (TTO or AMZ) and medial stabilization (MPFL or MQTFL) surgery and can manage most patients with these procedures on an outpatient basis at the McGivney Surgery Center, and Greenwich Hospital. The facilities at the McGivney Advanced Surgery Center in New Haven and Greenwich Hospital allow our surgeons to provide state-of-the-art, cutting-edge surgical treatments in order to give patients the best potential f

We are committed to excellence in all areas of musculoskeletal care. Our physicians treat a variety of bone, joint, nerve, and muscle ailments across many orthopaedic specialties. Our physicians work in conjunction with primary care and specialty physicians to treat both common and complex musculoskeletal problems. We're here to help with all aspects of orthopedic care. Whether you are seeking treatment for a minor injury or a serious orthopedic concern, our skilled doctors are experienced in minimally invasive improvements, as well as procedures like joint reconstruction and replacement surgery to help you get moving again. Some of the more common conditions our specialists treat include: Spinal problems, including degenerative conditions, disk herniations, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, fractures, and tumors Shoulder problems, including rotator cuff disease, arthroscopic surgery, arthritis, joint replacement, fractures, and instability Elbow problems, including arthritis, fractures and dislocations, joint replacement, and instability Hand and wrist problems, including arthritis, fractures, arthroscopic surgery, joint replacement, and artery and nerve repairs Pelvis and hip problems, including arthritis, arthroscopic surgery, joint replacement, and fractures Knee problems, including ligament and meniscal tears, arthritis, arthroscopic surgery, joint replacement, and fractures Foot and ankle problems, including tendon and ligament repairs, fractures, arthritis, and joint replacement Pediatric problems, including congenital deformities and fractures Tumor and limb salvage surgery