Who Are The Best Ski And Snowboard Knee Specialists In New York?
Dr Richard McCormack is widely recognized as one of the best ski and snowboard knee specialists in New York for treating sports-related ligament tears and complex knee injuries. As an American board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, Dr. McCormack specializes in orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, and arthroscopic surgery. He also performs ACL reconstruction surgery to help athletes return safely to skiing and snowboarding.
In addition to surgery, Dr. McCormack treats orthopedic trauma, sports injuries, and soft tissue injuries. If you don’t need immediate surgery, he also provides non-surgical treatments to improve movement and ease pain. These options include bracing, corticosteroid injections, and activity changes. You can visit Dr. McCormack at 2339 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, NY 11554. To schedule your appointment, call us today at 855-321-6784.
Why Is Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine a Leading Choice For Knee Injury Care in New York?
Patients choose Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine for knee injury care in New York because we provide comprehensive surgical and non-surgical treatments for knee injuries and cartilage damage. If you suffer an anterior cruciate ligament injury from skiing, our surgeons may recommend ACL reconstruction surgery. However, if your injury is mild, we may use knee bracing, PRP injections, or medications to reduce pain.
We also treat complex knee problems, such as multiple ligament knee injuries, medial collateral ligament damage, and knee osteoarthritis. To treat these conditions, our team uses knee arthroscopy and reconstruction surgery. We also perform cartilage restoration and joint preservation techniques to restore stability and reduce postoperative pain. Other than that, we offer advanced procedures for more complex or recurring knee issues, such as:
- Revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction for patients with failed surgeries
- Open reconstructive surgery for severe or multiple ligament injuries
- Joint replacement surgery for advanced knee osteoarthritis
- Specialized rehabilitation programs to restore balance and strength
Does Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Offer Non-Surgical Knee Injury Treatment?
Yes, doctors at Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine provide a full range of non-surgical knee injury treatments to help you recover. These treatments include knee bracing, corticosteroid injections, PRP injections, and NSAIDs to reduce pain and inflammation. We also offer head/cold therapy and stem cell therapy to restore knee function. Here’s how each treatment helps you restore mobility:
Knee Bracing
Knee bracing stabilizes your joint after ACL, MCL, and PCL ligament injuries. The brace reduces stress during movement, preventing further damage. It also allows you to maintain light activity safely. When combined with activity modifications, bracing supports recovery, improves stability, and helps maintain proper knee alignment. Moreover, according to NCBI, knee braces come in several types, such as:
- Prophylactic braces
- Unloader braces
- Patellofemoral braces
- Rehabilitative braces
- Sleeve braces
Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroid injections help reduce inflammation and relieve pain in the knee joint. They are especially useful for arthritis or soft tissue injuries. Other than that, corticosteroid injections allow you to regain mobility, participate in rehabilitation, and prevent worsening of joint damage.
PRP Injections
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections use your own blood’s growth factors to stimulate healing of ligaments, tendons, and soft tissue. Besides that, this therapy promotes tissue repair, reduces post-operative pain, and enhances knee function. According to NCBI, 517 patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis received PRP therapy. After 12 months, clinical outcomes showed that 54.1% of patients had significantly improved pain levels.
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help control pain and swelling after knee injuries. They are effective for acute trauma, overuse injuries, or post-activity soreness. In addition, NSAIDs can be combined with other treatments, like bracing or PRP, to improve comfort and allow you to participate in rehabilitation. Common NSAIDs include:
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- Naproxen (Aleve)
- Aspirin
- Celecoxib (Celebrex)
- Diclofenac (Voltaren)
Head/Cold Therapy
Head and cold therapy reduces swelling, eases pain, and accelerates healing after knee injuries. You should apply ice during the first 48 hours. To start, wrap an ice pack in a towel, place it on your knee for 10–15 minutes. Once swelling goes down, switch to heat therapy. Apply heat for 15–20 minutes to improve blood circulation and ease stiffness.
Stem Cell Therapy
In stem cell therapy, our sports medicine fellowship-trained specialist, Dr. Brett Spain, collects regenerative cells from your bone marrow or fat tissue. Then, he processes these cells and injects them directly into your injured knee. Once inside, the cells repair damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, and support healing. As the tissue strengthens, you regain knee function and recover faster from sports-related injuries. To discuss your condition with him, call us at 855-321-6784.
What Surgical Techniques Does Dr. Eric Lepkowsky Use For Knee Injury?
Dr. Eric Lepkowsky offers surgical knee procedures like ACL/MCL/PCL reconstruction, meniscus repair, total and partial knee replacement, and cartilage restoration. He also offers MPFL (patella) reconstruction and microfracture surgery. These options help restore knee stability, improve mobility, and relieve pain. Here’s how these surgical knee procedures help you:
ACL/MCL/PCL Reconstruction
Dr. Lepkowsky performs ligament reconstruction to restore stability when your ACL, MCL, or PCL is torn. During surgery, he replaces the damaged ligament with a graft, helping the knee move securely again. According to Sage Journals, reconstruction improves preoperative motion and allows healing of extra-articular structures.
Meniscus Repair
Meniscus repair surgery restores cushioning inside your knee after a tear. Dr. Lepkowsky carefully repairs or trims the damaged tissue, reducing pain and preserving the healthy meniscus. In addition, this approach helps protect the knee joint from future arthritis, improves stability, and allows smoother movement.
Total and Partial Knee Replacement
For advanced arthritis or severe damage, Dr. Lepkowsky performs total or partial knee replacement. In this procedure, he replaces worn-out joint surfaces with durable implants designed to restore smooth movement. Moreover, partial replacement targets only the damaged section, while total replacement replaces the entire joint.
Cartilage Restoration
When cartilage damage causes pain or stiffness, Dr. Lepkowsky uses cartilage restoration techniques to repair the joint surface. These methods may include grafting healthy cartilage or stimulating new growth to cover damaged areas. Moreover, these treatments aim to restore smooth joint function and reduce long-term degeneration.
Microfracture Surgery
For smaller cartilage injuries, our skiing and snowboard team physician, Dr. Lepkowsky, uses microfracture surgery. In this procedure, he creates tiny holes in the bone beneath the damaged cartilage, stimulating new tissue growth. This helps reduce pain and restore smoother joint surfaces.
How Does Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Support Athletes Through Pre-Surgical Conditioning?
At Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we support athletes through pre-surgical knee conditioning to reduce complications and speed up recovery. This conditioning prepares your body to handle surgical stress, leading to less pain and a smoother return to activity. It also improves circulation, reduces swelling, prevents blood clots, and maintains joint mobility. To achieve these benefits, our specialists guide athletes through targeted exercises such as:
- Heel slides: Improve knee flexion and joint mobility.
- Ankle pumps: Boost circulation and lower the risk of blood clots.
- Sitting knee flexion: Maintain the range of motion while keeping the feet flat.
- Short arc quadriceps: Strengthen thigh muscles using a rolled towel.
- Thigh squeezes: Support the surgical leg with stronger thigh muscles.
- Single leg stance: Enhance balance and core stability.
- Hip abduction: Build hip and outer thigh strength for knee alignment.
Our board-certified doctors designed this conditioning exercise guide to help athletes strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and protect mobility before surgery. Following these exercises will prepare you for knee surgery and support a safer recovery.
Does Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Offer Same-Day Imaging for Knee Injuries?
Yes, we offer same-day imaging for knee injuries to ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis. With on-site X-ray and MRI services, our team can quickly identify ligament tears, cartilage injuries, or fractures without unnecessary delays. We also provide same-day ultrasound imaging, which allows us to assess soft tissue damage and guide treatment decisions more effectively.
Moreover, immediate access to imaging ensures accurate diagnosis without delays. This approach supports faster treatment planning, reduces the risk of complications, and helps athletes return to activity sooner. Contact us today to book your same-day knee imaging.
Can You Ski or Snowboard Again After ACL or MCL Surgery?
Yes, you can ski or snowboard again after ACL or MCL surgery, but it requires proper recovery and rehabilitation. Most athletes return to skiing within 4 to 9 months, depending on the type of surgery and their recovery progress. For example, skiers who undergo ACL reconstruction typically need at least nine months to rebuild strength and stability. On the other hand, athletes who have minimally invasive procedures may return to skiing in four months.
Find The Best Knee Specialist In New York At Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine — Book A Visit Now!
Ongoing knee pain from ligament injuries, arthritis, or cartilage damage can prevent you from enjoying an active lifestyle. You may also face swelling, instability, or a limited range of motion, making daily movement difficult. Moreover, skiing, snowboarding, or even walking upstairs can feel painful and unsafe. If left untreated, these conditions may lead to worsening joint damage, chronic stiffness, and septic arthritis.
That’s why at Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we offer immediate treatment for all types of knee injuries. From same-day imaging to advanced surgical and non-surgical treatments, our orthopedic surgeons design care plans to restore function and reduce pain. We are conveniently located across New York in Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Syosset, Massapequa, Deer Park, and East Meadow. You can also call our orthopedic consultant at 855-321-6784 to schedule your appointment.
FAQs
How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Knee Injury?
Recovery from a knee injury usually ranges from 6 weeks for mild sprains. However, more severe ligament tears requiring arthroscopic surgery or revision ACL reconstruction often take 6–12 months. In addition, the recovery timeline for multi-ligament knee injuries often extends beyond a year due to instability and complex healing.
Does Insurance Cover Ski Injury Surgery in New York?
Yes, most insurance plans cover ski injury surgery in New York if the procedure is medically necessary. This coverage may include arthroscopic surgery, joint surgery, revision surgery, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery, and shoulder reconstruction. However, if you receive treatment outside your network or at a special surgery center, your out-of-pocket costs may increase.
What Are the Most Common Skiing Injuries?
The most common ski-related knee injuries are ACL tears, MCL sprains, and meniscus damage. Some cases also involve cartilage injury or partial ligament tears that affect stability. Moreover, rotator cuff tears and shoulder injuries can also occur in skiing accidents, often requiring shoulder arthroscopy or elbow surgery. Other than that, you may suffer ankle injuries, distal biceps tendon rupture, or even multi-ligament knee injuries in high-impact crashes.
Which Leg Is Most at Risk in Snowboarding?
The leading leg in snowboarding is most at risk because it absorbs the initial force during falls and sudden twists. This stress can lead to ligament sprains or cartilage damage requiring joint surgery. In severe cases, a multiple ligament-injured knee may occur, which often needs comprehensive arthroscopic management.
Why Are Knees Particularly Vulnerable When Skiing?
Knees are particularly vulnerable when skiing because they absorb high rotational forces during sudden twists and falls. These stresses damage the ACL and MCL, sometimes requiring arthroscopic surgery or revision ACL reconstruction. Another reason is the knee’s limited natural stability compared to the hip or shoulder, making it more prone to injury under extreme stress.
Does Snowboard Equipment Contribute to Knee Injury Risk?
Yes, snowboard equipment can increase knee injury risk when not properly fitted. For example, stiff boots and binding angles often create rotational stress that leads to ligament injuries. Besides that, improperly sized boards can reduce the movement of knee positions, increasing the chances of ACL or MCL injury. If severe, these injuries may require arthroscopy techniques or joint surgery to restore function.
How Do Warm-Up and Stretches Help Prevent Knee Injuries?
Warm-up and stretches help prevent knee injuries by increasing blood flow, improving flexibility, and enhancing joint stability. These effects lower the risk of ACL tears, MCL sprains, and meniscus damage during skiing or snowboarding. By reducing sudden strain on ligaments and cartilage, proper warm-up also decreases the chances of requiring arthroscopic surgery or joint surgery.
What’s the Difference Between Acute and Overuse Ski Knee Injuries?
Acute ski knee injuries happen suddenly, often from falls or twisting, leading to ligament tears or cartilage damage. On the other hand, overuse injuries develop gradually from repetitive stress, resulting in joint diseases like tendonitis or chronic pain. Moreover, multi-ligament knee injuries are usually acute, while overuse cases may need pain reduction strategies and rehabilitation.
