If you are looking for a knee surgeon in New York City who focuses on treating complex knee and patellofemoral instability — including patellar dislocations, cartilage injuries, and malalignment — Dr. Elizabeth Dennis provides specialized care to help restore stability and protect long-term knee function.

Dr. Dennis is an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon and Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Her practice centers on patellofemoral instability, tibial tubercle osteotomy, trochleoplasty, MPFL reconstruction, and cartilage restoration and preservation procedures. She completed the ISAKOS Patellofemoral Traveling Fellowship, gaining advanced training from international experts, and her research has been recognized by leading orthopedic organizations such as AOSSM and ISAKOS.

Her approach combines careful evaluation, advanced imaging, and treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs — from rehabilitation to complex surgical solutions. Patients appreciate her emphasis on listening, clear communication, and guiding them through every step of care.

MPFL reconstruction is a surgical procedure that rebuilds the medial patellofemoral ligament, one of the main structures that keeps the patella from moving out of place. This ligament can be stretched or torn after a patella dislocation, making it more likely the patella will slip again.

The surgery is typically recommended for people who have had repeated dislocations or who have a high risk of recurrence due to a host of factors such as bone alignment issues, high patellar height or patella alta, trochlear dysplasia and other anatomic issues. It can also be performed alongside other procedures — such as a tibial tubercle osteotomy, cartilage repair, trochleoplasty, or other realignment surgery — if needed.

Dr. Elizabeth Dennis uses advanced imaging, precise surgical planning, and minimally invasive techniques to restore stability and protect the cartilage of the knee. Recovery includes physical therapy to regain motion, build strength, and safely return to sports or daily activities.

An osteotomy is a surgical procedure in which the bone is carefully cut and realigned to shift weight away from a damaged area of the knee. This can relieve pain, improve function, and delay the need for joint replacement.

It’s often recommended for active patients with arthritis or cartilage loss in one part of the knee, especially if their knee alignment is contributing to the problem. Osteotomy can also be combined with cartilage restoration or ligament reconstruction when needed.

Dr. Elizabeth Dennis has expertise in realignment procedures, including tibial tubercle osteotomy, distal femoral osteotomy and high tibial osteotomy, to preserve knee function and extend joint health.

ACL reconstruction is a surgical procedure that replaces a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) — one of the main stabilizing ligaments in the knee — with a new graft made from either you patellar tendon (BTB) or quadriceps tendon. It is recommended for patients to help protect their knee from further injury to their meniscus and cartilage.

Recovery time can vary depending on your goals and whether other structures (like the meniscus or cartilage) are also repaired during surgery. Most patients begin physical therapy within days of surgery, start running at 3–4 months, and return to cutting or pivoting sports at 8–12 months.

Dr. Elizabeth Dennis uses individualized graft selection, precise surgical technique, and a structured rehab plan to help patients regain confidence and safely return to activity.

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber in the knee. When it tears, treatment can involve either trimming the damaged tissue (partial meniscectomy) or repairing it with sutures so it can heal. Dr. Dennis will always try to repair the meniscus whenever possible #savethemeniscus

Meniscus repair is recommended for younger, active patients, for tears in the blood-rich outer portion of the meniscus, or for certain tear patterns that have a good chance of healing. Repairing the meniscus helps preserve knee function and may reduce the risk of arthritis later in life.

Dr. Elizabeth Dennis specializes in arthroscopic meniscus repair techniques that protect healthy tissue and support long-term knee health.

Cartilage restoration surgery aims to repair or replace damaged joint cartilage to reduce pain, improve movement, and delay or prevent arthritis. This can include procedures using osteochondral allografts or cell based restoration including autologous chondrocyte implantation.

The right approach depends on factors such as the size and location of the defect, your age, and your activity level. In many cases, cartilage restoration is performed alongside other knee procedures to fully address the cause of injury.

Dr. Elizabeth Dennis offers advanced cartilage preservation techniques to help patients maintain active lifestyles and protect joint health for the long term.