Knee Surgery in Bethlehem & the Lehigh Valley
A torn meniscus, a cartilage defect, or an unstable kneecap can change what your knee lets you do. Dr. Michael Hendel, MD, PhD treats the full range of sports and degenerative knee conditions with a joint-preservation philosophy learned at Hospital for Special Surgery: protect the meniscus, restore the cartilage, and keep your native knee healthy for as long as possible.
Conditions & Procedures
- Meniscus tears — arthroscopic repair whenever the tear pattern allows (preserving the shock absorber), partial meniscectomy when it does not, and root repair for posterior root tears
- Cartilage damage — osteochondral autograft transfer (OATS), MACI cell-based restoration, and microfracture for focal defects in younger, active patients
- Patellar instability — MPFL reconstruction and realignment procedures for recurring kneecap dislocation
- Complex ligament injuries — PCL and multi-ligament reconstruction, including his published expertise on the multi-ligament injured knee
- Knee arthroscopy — loose bodies, debridement, and mechanical symptoms
- Non-operative care — image-guided injections, PRP, bracing, and structured physical therapy always come first when appropriate
Every surgical patient receives a written, milestone-based rehabilitation protocol from Dr. Hendel’s library of over 100 procedure-specific plans, so you and your physical therapist always know exactly where you are and what comes next.
“After suffering a complex knee injury while training for a marathon, I was relieved to find Dr. Hendel. Recovery was smoother than I ever imagined.”
Press Ganey verified patient surveyFrequently Asked Questions
Can a meniscus tear heal on its own?
Tears in the outer edge of the meniscus, where blood supply exists, occasionally settle with conservative care. Most symptomatic tears — especially those causing catching, locking, or persistent joint-line pain — do not heal untreated. An MRI defines the pattern and whether repair is possible.
How fast is recovery from knee arthroscopy?
After partial meniscectomy, most patients walk immediately, return to desk work within days, and resume most activity in 6-8 weeks. Meniscus repair recovers more slowly — protected weight bearing early, return to sport around 4-6 months — because the repaired tissue must heal.
What is cartilage restoration?
For focal cartilage defects in younger patients, techniques like OATS (transferring healthy cartilage plugs) and MACI (implanting your own lab-grown cartilage cells) can resurface the damaged area and delay or prevent arthritis — preserving the natural joint instead of replacing it.