• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Howard J. Luks, MD

Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon Sports Medicine Specialist

  • Topics
    • Joint Pain
    • Longevity
    • Metabolic Health
    • Sports Medicine
    • Training
    • Top Articles
      • Zone 2 Training
      • Shoulder Pain Lifting Arm
      • Knee Injury Serious?
      • Medial Meniscus Tears
      • Front Of Knee Pain
      • Shoulder Snaps & Pops
    • All Articles
  • Newsletter
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • About
  • Consultation
Knee

Is Surgery For a Degenerative Knee Successful? Getting the Story Right.

Avatar photo

Howard J. Luks, MD Updated Sep 23, 2021 Read time: 2 mins

Osteoarthritis of the knee affects millions of you.  The pain from knee arthritis can be mild or quite severe and crippling.  Arthroscopic knee surgery is often discussed  as a treatment option when you have arthritis AND a meniscus tear in combination.  But this is a very controversial area, and it’s important that you understand what your realistic options are.  There was a recent article in the NY Times which unfortunately provided more misleading information.   I think that the article (referenced below) did not present the subject matter well since there are a subset of arthritic patients who do very well after arthroscopic surgery.

Any active readers of my blog know that I strongly believe we are an over-diagnosed and over-treated society.  But, articles such as the one quoted below can be very misleading and require clarification. First the video …

From the NY Times piece…

…People in their 50s and older often get arthroscopic surgery for knee pain, but a new review of studies suggests that it has serious risks and no lasting benefits.

Source: Surgery for Knee Pain May Not Provide Benefits – The New York Times

Now .. let’s be clear.  Arthroscopic surgery for arthritic symptoms… that dull throbbing awful ache is generally not successful.. and very arthritic knee are cranky and do not appreciate being operated on unless they are being replaced.

The patient who MIGHT benefit from arthroscopic surgery is the arthritic patient who also has a meniscus tear AND also has mechanical symptoms –

Do you have questions regarding an Orthopedic injury or longevity? 

Do you want to talk to an expert who can listen to you for 45-60 minutes and explain the options in detail? 

Dr. Howard Luks offers remote guidance sessions to review your X-ray or MRI images and explain your options. 

Dr. Luks has also received hundreds of requests for educational sessions on the topics discussed in his book, Longevity Simplified.

Schedule Remote Session

  • popping
  • locking
  • sharp pains with turning
  • buckling and giving way.

As you can see by the comments at the end of the NY Times article there are many people who are very happy that they chose to have surgery.  They remain active years after the surgery.  The key here is proper patient selection, and managing expectations.

Categories: Knee, Knee Arthritis, Surgery

Disclaimer:  this information is for your education and should not be considered medical advice regarding diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Some links on this page may be affiliate links. Read the full disclaimer.
Dr. Howard J. Luks

Howard J. Luks, MD is a leading orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, and author of Longevity... Simplified.

About · Contact · Private Consultation

Remote Guidance Sessions
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Like what you're reading?

Join the thousands of followers who rely on Dr. Howard J. Luks, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine, with tools, tactics, and techniques for simplifying longevity.

Further Reading:

same day knee replacement surgery
Ambulatory – Same Day Knee Replacement?
Molecular Approaches to Osteoarthritis: The Role of Inflammation and Genetics
Bowed legs and medial knee pain
High Tibial Osteotomy For Knee Arthritis Pain In Active People
Benefits of exercise
Walk, Exercise, Running, and Living with Knee Arthritis

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mark A. Deitch, MD

    Jun 23, 2015 at 8:07 pm

    Dr Luks – Do you have data to support your assertions? I agree that the NY Times article is misleading, but in order to counteract this, we need quality data. -Mark Deitch, MD, MBA

Primary Sidebar

Dr. Howard J. Luks

Howard J. Luks, MD is a leading orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, and author of Longevity... Simplified.

About · Contact · Private Consultation

Remote Guidance Sessions
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Top Articles

The importance of VO2 Max

VO2 Max. It’s not just about your mitochondria

Walking is exercise

Walking IS Exercise: Why All Movement Matters

Zone 2 heart rate training

Zone 2 Heart Rate Training For Longevity and Performance

Do I have a serious knee injury

Is My Knee Injury Serious? 5 Signs to Look For.

Newsletter

Join the thousands of followers who rely on Dr. Howard J. Luks, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine, with tools, tactics, and techniques for simplifying longevity.

Read the Book

An easy-to-read guide that tosses out the myths and clears up the truth behind living longer. As you read this book, you will:

  • Understand the science behind the recommendations for living a longer and healthier life.
  • Understand that all our bodies’ systems are interconnected and rely on one another.
  • Connect the dots to poor metabolic health and take steps to reverse this path.
  • Recognize that fear doesn't need to be your reality.
  • Recognizing that most people view “exercise” as unpleasant work.
  • Stop going down “rabbit holes” of false information.
  • Realize you don't have to change as much as you think.
Find Out More
Read Reviews
Longevity... Simplified: Living A Longer, Healthier Life Shouldn’t Be Complicated

Available at:

Bookshop
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Trending Now

  1. Zone 2 heart rate training
    Featured
    Zone 2 Heart Rate Training For Longevity and Performance
  2. The importance of VO2 Max
    Featured
    VO2 Max. It's not just about your mitochondria
  3. Reframe why exercise is important. Not to lose, but to gin.
    Muscle and Strength
    We Exercise To Gain, Not To Lose.
  4. Seasoned Doctors Want to Leave Medicine.
    Sports Medicine
    Seasoned Doctors Want to Leave Medicine.

Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine

128 Ashford Avenue
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

(914)-559-1900
[email protected]
Book Private Consultation

Topics

  • Joint Pain
  • Longevity
  • Metabolic Health
  • Sports Medicine
  • Running
  • Training

Browse All Articles

Joint Pain

  • Ankle
  • Elbow
  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Shoulder

More Orthopedic Education

  • Topics
  • Newsletter
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • About
  • Consultation

© 2025 · Howard J Luks, MD · Disclaimer & Terms · Privacy Policy
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This site should be used for informational purposes only.