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

Shoulder injuries are common in an active population, as well as in middle-aged and older adults. Structural injuries can range from labral tears, which can cause shoulder instability, to muscle and tendon injuries, such as a rotator cuff tear, resulting in pain and weakness. Traditional, or open, surgery entails repair of the injuries through large skin incisions. Unfortunately, this causes structural damage to the skin and underlying musculature. Advancements in video technology and surgical instrumentation has allowed the surgical procedures to be undertaken through minimally invasive techniques (non-muscle damaging) through “keyhole,” or arthroscopic surgery. While the repaired structures still need time to allow for biological healing, this minimally invasive technique allows for decreased post-surgical pain, which results in a faster recovery and return back to activities of daily living. To find out more about this program, please fill out a brief survey . The Sports Medicine and shoulder surgeons at Yale Medicine are proficient in shoulder arthroscopy and typically utilize arthroscopic techniques for the majority of shoulder surgeries. Open surgery is reserved for specialized indications, such as shoulder replacements and other unique situations. Prior to surgery, our board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons collaborate with our highly experienced musculoskeletal radiologists, who utilize high-resolution MRI imaging in order to ensure the most accurate structural diagnosis. This allows for a highly individualized and tailored surgical plan. If surgery is necessary, most cases are performed on an outpatient basis at the McGivney Advanced Surgery Center or Greenwich Hospital. At these facilities, patients receive concierge-style care, which allows for as stress-free a surgical experience as possible. Patients are cared for by board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons and anesthesiologists, physician assistants, as well as highly trained nurses. 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 for maximal recovery. After surgery, our team also works closely with affiliated physical therapists who are well-versed in managing patients in their recovery phase of healing. This collaboration ensures individualized treatment plans, aimed to optimize recovery and return to function.

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