Your Trusted Knee Specialist in Long Island
Knee pain that has lasted more than a few weeks, keeps you from stairs, or wakes you at night deserves an accurate diagnosis rather than more waiting. Orthopedic Associates of Long Island has treated knees across Suffolk County for decades, and our fellowship-trained knee specialists handle everything from a first cortisone injection through complex revision replacement.
We see patients at six locations across Long Island, offer walk-in orthopedic care through OALI Access for acute injuries, and accept most major insurance plans.
Exceptional Knee Care Awaits You in Long Island!
Why Patients Choose OALI for Knee Care
Subspecialty depth. With a large physician group, knee care isn’t a sideline. Our sports medicine surgeons handle ligament and cartilage work in active patients, while our reconstructive surgeons focus on arthritis and joint replacement. We match you with the surgeon whose practice fits your problem.
Conservative first, when it’s appropriate. Most knees don’t need an operation. We’ll tell you plainly when yours does and when it doesn’t, and we’re comfortable recommending you wait.
Same-day access for injuries. OALI Access provides walk-in orthopedic care with on-site X-ray, so an acute knee injury doesn’t mean an emergency room wait.
Everything in one place. Imaging, injections, physical therapy, surgery, and rehabilitation are coordinated through our practice so that you won’t be chasing referrals between offices.
Six Long Island locations. Care close to home matters, particularly for post-operative therapy where you’ll be visiting two or three times a week.
Convenient Locations Across Long Island
- East Setauket
- Commack
- Patchogue
- Riverhead
- West Babylon
- Southampton
Serving patients throughout Suffolk County, including Stony Brook, Port Jefferson, Smithtown, Centereach, Selden, Medford, Bay Shore, Islip, Sayville, Hampton Bays, and the East End, along with eastern Nassau County.
Knee Conditions We Treat
Arthritis and Degenerative Conditions
- Osteoarthritis — cartilage wear producing pain, stiffness, and grinding.
- Rheumatoid arthritis affecting the knee joint
- Post-traumatic arthritis developing years after an old fracture or ligament injury.
- Chondromalacia patellae — cartilage softening behind the kneecap
- Avascular necrosis — loss of blood supply to bone within the joint
- Cartilage defects and lesions
Ligament Injuries
- ACL tears, complete and partial
- MCL and LCL sprains and tears
- PCL injuries
- Multi-ligament knee injuries
- Chronic knee instability after a prior injury
Meniscus and Cartilage
- Meniscus tears, both traumatic and degenerative
- Meniscus root tears
- Loose bodies causing locking or catching
Kneecap Problems
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome, often called runner’s knee.
- Patellar dislocation and instability
- Patellar tendonitis, or jumper’s knee
- Quadriceps and patellar tendon tears
Tendon, Bursa, and Overuse
- Prepatellar and pes anserine bursitis
- IT band syndrome
- Hamstring and quadriceps tendinopathy
- Osgood-Schlatter disease in adolescent athletes
Fractures and Acute Injuries
- Patella fractures
- Tibial plateau fractures
- Distal femur fractures
- Knee dislocations
- Combined injuries involving bone, cartilage, and ligament
What Recovery Looks Like
Timelines depend entirely on the procedure, and knowing the range up front helps you plan.
Cortisone or gel injection — relief within days, typically lasting weeks to months
Arthroscopic meniscus surgery — walking within days, desk work in one to two weeks, full activity in four to six weeks
ACL reconstruction — brace and crutches early, driving around three to four weeks, return to sport at nine to twelve months with a structured rehabilitation program
Partial knee replacement — walking the same day, driving in two to four weeks, most activity by six to eight weeks
Total knee replacement — walking with assistance immediately, driving in four to six weeks, meaningful improvement at three months, continued gains through twelve months
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to see a knee specialist?
It depends on your plan. Many allow direct specialist access; some HMO plans require a referral. Our staff verifies your benefits before your visit.
How soon can I be seen for a knee injury?
Acute injuries can be evaluated the same day through OALI Access walk-in care. For non-urgent consultations, call 631-689-6698 for the earliest available appointment.
Will I need surgery for my knee pain?
Most patients don’t. Arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, and many meniscus tears respond to therapy, injections, and activity modification. Surgery becomes appropriate when conservative care has been given a fair trial or when there’s a mechanical problem it can’t fix.
Am I too young for a knee replacement?
Age matters less than the state of your knee and your activity demands. Younger patients face a higher likelihood of eventual revision, which is why partial replacement, cartilage procedures, and osteotomy are often considered first. We’ll walk through the trade-offs specific to your situation.
What's the difference between partial and total knee replacement?
A partial replacement resurfaces only the damaged compartment and preserves your ligaments, which generally means a faster recovery and a more natural-feeling knee. It requires arthritis confined to one area. A total replacement addresses the whole joint and is appropriate when wear is widespread.
Do cortisone injections work for knee arthritis?
They reliably reduce inflammation and pain for many patients, with relief usually lasting weeks to a few months. They manage symptoms rather than the underlying cartilage loss, so injection frequency is limited.
Is arthroscopic surgery helpful for knee arthritis?
Generally not for arthritis alone—the evidence is weak. It is valuable for mechanical problems like a torn meniscus fragment causing locking, or a loose body in the joint. An examination and imaging determine what applies to you.
Does insurance cover knee surgery?
Medically necessary knee procedures are typically covered. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan, deductible, and the facility. We verify benefits and review expected costs before scheduling anything.
Can knee arthritis be reversed?
Cartilage loss cannot be reversed, but progression can often be slowed, and symptoms managed well for years through strengthening, weight management, activity adjustment, and injections.
Schedule Your Knee Consultation
You don’t need to accept knee pain as permanent. An accurate diagnosis usually takes one visit, and most patients leave with a treatment plan that doesn’t involve surgery.
Call 631-689-6698 to schedule an appointment at any of our six Long Island locations, or visit OALI Access for walk-in orthopedic care if your injury is recent.