About

Michael J. Alaia, MD, is a professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and serves as co-director of the Sports Medicine Fellowship. He specializes in sports medicine care and arthroscopic and open reconstructive surgery of the knee, shoulder, and elbow, with extensive experience in activity-related injuries, joint preservation procedures, and revision reconstructions. His expertise includes anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair, reconstruction, and revision surgery, joint-preserving cartilage transplants, osteotomies, complex patellar instability, and multi-ligament knee injuries. Additionally, he treats shoulder dislocations and rotator cuff tears. Dr. Alaia is dedicated to patient education and collaborative care, emphasizing trust and understanding in the physician-patient relationship, and he actively participates in teaching and research. He has authored over 150 scientific papers, several textbooks, and chapters, with current research focusing on complex knee reconstruction, including knee dislocations, multiple-ligament injuries, ACL reconstruction, knee osteotomy, and revision ACL procedures.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Surgery
• Computer Science
• Physical therapy
• Internal medicine

Selected publications

• <b>Podium Presentation Title</b> : Radiation Safety Among Female Orthopaedic Surgeons

  Arthroscopy The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery · 2026-04-01

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• <b>Podium Presentation Title</b> : Outcomes of High Tibial and Distal Femoral Osteotomy in High Level Athletes: Mean 5‐Year Follow‐Up

  Arthroscopy The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery · 2026-04-01

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Correlation of Plain Radiographs and 3-Dimensional CT With Coronal and Sagittal Measurements in Patients Undergoing Corrective Osteotomies

  Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine · 2026-02-01

  articleOpen access

  Background: The patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) used during corrective high tibial osteotomies and distal femoral osteotomies is based on 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT). Plain radiographs are typically used preoperatively to determine the need for an osteotomy; however, it is unclear how well measurements on plain radiographs correlate with 3D CT. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between coronal and sagittal alignment measurements on plain radiographs and 3D CT. It was hypothesized that there would be high agreement in the measurement of the mechanical medial tibial width ratio (mMTWr) and the medial posterior tibial slope (PTS) between both modalities. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients who underwent hip-to-ankle CT as part of the preoperative workup before a corrective osteotomy from October 2020 to November 2023 were reviewed. Coronal (mMTWr) and sagittal alignment (medial PTS) were evaluated preoperatively by 2 raters on standing whole-leg radiographs and a lateral radiograph of the knee, respectively, and by semi-automated PSI software on 3D CT. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to assess interrater reliability for each measurement and to evaluate agreement between raters and the PSI software. Results: Complete data sets were obtained for 91 cases. The ICC between raters for preoperative mMTWR was 0.99. The ICC between the raters' measurements and the PSI software measurements of mMTWr was 0.99. The ICC between raters for preoperative PTS was 0.82. The ICC between the raters' measurements and the PSI software's PTS measurements was 0.63. Conclusion: This study found that coronal measurements performed on whole-leg radiographs and 3D CT were highly correlated, with near-perfect agreement, and that medial PTS measurements showed moderate agreement between modalities. These data suggest that measurements on plain radiographs are reproducible and accurate for evaluating coronal alignment and PTS preoperatively. Surgeons can confidently use plain radiographs to assess whether or not a patient is a candidate for a knee osteotomy.

  PublisherDOI

• Indications for temporizing knee-spanning external fixation in the treatment of knee dislocations: A multi-center retrospective case series

  Injury · 2026-01-22 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: The indications for temporizing knee-spanning external fixation (KSEF) in the setting of knee dislocation (KD) are poorly defined, leading to significant uncertainty and inconsistency in clinical practice. This study aimed to analyze and describe the documented indications for temporizing KSEF in a series of patients with KDs. METHODS: A retrospective, multi-center review was conducted at two level I trauma centers from January 2001 to May 2024, identifying patients with documented KD treated with KSEF. Data were extracted from operative records, imaging, and clinical notes, and reviewed for demographics, injury characteristics, and documented indications for KSEF. A set of KSEF indications derived from the literature was developed a priori to individually assess the appropriateness of each KSEF application. Knees were classified as 'did not meet criteria' for KSEF only when both of the following conditions were true: (1) no predefined indication was met; and (2) there was no radiographic, clinical, or documented evidence of persistent post-reduction instability. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients with 36 documented KDs treated with KSEF were identified from a cohort of 289 multiple ligament injured knees (12.5 %). Of the 36 KDs, 28 (77.8 %) met the selected criteria for KSEF. The most common primary indications for KSEF were vascular injury, tibial plateau fracture-dislocation, inability to maintain tibiofemoral reduction via non-invasive means, and morbid obesity. The remaining eight KDs (22.2 %) did not meet criteria for KSEF either as isolated injuries or in the setting of "polytrauma." The rationale for KSEF application was cited as "polytrauma" in 6/8 (75.0 %) of these cases. CONCLUSION: Eight of the 36 (22.2 %) KSEF applications did not meet the predefined criteria for KSEF in the setting of KD, nor showed evidence of an inability to maintain tibiofemoral reduction via non-invasive means. Polytrauma is frequently cited in the literature as a primary indication for temporizing KSEF in the setting of KD without a clear definition. Further investigation into the role of temporizing KSEF is needed, particularly in the polytraumatized patient, to determine its specific role in the management of KDs.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Hardware‐related symptoms are the most common complication after anterior closing wedge osteotomy performed with ACL reconstruction: A systematic review

  Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy · 2026-02-24

  article

  PURPOSE: To systematically review existing literature to define the rate and types of complications of anterior closing wedge osteotomy (ACWO) when performed in conjunction with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). METHODS: A systematic query of PubMed, Embase and Scopus databases was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in September 2025. Studies were included if they reported complications in patients undergoing ACWO with concurrent ACLR. Data on demographics, surgical technique, fixation method, graft type, posterior tibial slope (PTS) correction and complications were extracted. Data were described narratively and presented as frequencies with ranges in order to avoid potential bias and misleading conclusions from pooling heterogeneous data. RESULTS: Twelve retrospective case series comprising 505 patients undergoing combined ACLR with ACWO were included. The overall complication rate was 9.7% (range: 0%-82.8%). The most common complication was symptomatic hardware (6.1%), accounting for nearly half of all reported complications. The overall rate of postoperative ACL graft rupture was 1.7%. Other reported complications included arthrofibrosis (0.4%), infection (0.2%) and malunion (0.2%). No reported cases of nonunion, hinge fracture, neurovascular injury or loss of sagittal plane correction were reported. CONCLUSION: ACWO performed during ACLR demonstrates a clinically relevant complication rate, with hardware-related symptoms constituting the most frequent adverse event. Severe complications were rare. ACWO may reduce but does not eliminate the risk of ACL graft failure in patients with elevated PTS and appears to be a safe and effective option when PTS correction is indicated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

  PublisherDOI

• High tibial osteotomy with virtual planning and patient specific instrumentation: a narrative review

  Annals of Joint · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Background and Objective: High tibial osteotomy (HTO), particularly through a medial opening-wedge technique [medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO)], is a well-established surgical intervention for correcting varus malalignment and unloading the medial compartment in younger patients with early osteoarthritis or secondary ligamentous or chondral deficiency. However, conventional methods pose high technical demands for accurate alignment, often requiring repeat intraoperative fluoroscopy. Patient-specific instrumentation (PSI), developed through three-dimensional (3D) imaging and printing technologies, offers a promising solution by enabling precise preoperative planning and intraoperative execution via customized cutting guides. This narrative review aims to explore the inception and current data surrounding PSI in HTO, specifically in regards to radiation, cost effectiveness, hinge fractures, surgical accuracy, and multiplanar osteotomies. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, incorporating studies related to "high tibial osteotomy", "virtual planning", "patient-specific instrumentation", and "3D planning" published up to March 1st, 2025. Relevant English-language studies were included to summarize the use and outcomes associated with PSI in HTO. Key Content and Findings: traditional osteotomy are nearly identical, with potential for even further monetary savings in revision rates, survivorship, and downstream healthcare utilization. Current evidence on hinge fracture prevention remains inconclusive, but PSI offers theoretical benefits through controlled cutting depths, hinge-pin technology, and anatomically tailored guides. Studies report alignment deviations typically within 2° of the preoperative plan in both coronal and sagittal planes, surpassing traditional and navigation-assisted techniques. Conclusions: PSI represents a significant advancement in the execution of high tibial osteotomies, offering increased surgical accuracy, reduced radiation exposure, and enhanced procedural efficiency. It holds particular value in complex or multiplanar deformities where traditional techniques are limited. Although cost and hinge fracture data remain areas for further investigation, the growing body of evidence supports PSI's clinical utility and reproducibility. As 3D planning technologies and guided manufacturing become more accessible, PSI is well-positioned to become a standard adjunct in knee realignment procedures.

  PublisherDOI

• Comparing the Effects of Lateral Opening Wedge Distal Femoral Osteotomy and Medial Closing Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy on Tibial Tubercle–Trochlear Groove Distance: A 3D Computed Tomography Simulation Study

  The American Journal of Sports Medicine · 2026-01-05

  articleSenior authorCorresponding

  Background: Genu valgum is a known risk factor for recurrent patellar instability, and surgical correction of deformity can be utilized as part of the management strategy to improve tracking and optimize outcomes. Tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is a widely used objective measurement of the lateral quadriceps force vector in patients with patellar instability. The evidence documenting the effect of lateral opening wedge distal femoral osteotomy (LOWDFO) and medial closing wedge high tibial osteotomy (MCWHTO) on TT-TG is limited, with minimal data directly comparing the biomechanical implications of one versus the other. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to directly compare LOWDFO and MCWHTO using a computer model to determine the effect of each osteotomy on TT-TG distance. It was hypothesized that LOWDFO would have a greater effect on TT-TG distance, given the position farther away from the tibial tubercle. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: A total of 22 knees from 21 patients with patellar instability and valgus malalignment were processed using 3D Slicer (Version 5.4.0) to convert their respective DICOM images into .stl mesh files to be used with Fusion (Autodesk; Version 2601.1.37) computer-aided design software. LOWDFOs and MCWHTOs were then simulated from 0° to 12° in 2° increments. TT-TG distance was then measured after each osteotomy. Results: The mean native TT-TG distance for patients included in this cohort was 15.97 mm. TT-TG distance decreased by a mean of 1.83 mm for every 2° in the LOWDFO group and 0.46 mm for every 2° in the MCWHTO group, with all comparisons meeting statistical significance ( P &lt; .001). LOWDFO demonstrated the following incremental TT-TG changes for a 2° to 12° coronal plane correction: 1.81 mm, 3.63 mm, 5.46 mm, 7.31 mm, 9.18 mm, and 10.96 mm. In comparison, MCWHTO demonstrated the following TT-TG changes for the same degrees of coronal correction: 0.52 mm, 1.03 mm, 1.53 mm, 2.00 mm, 2.45 mm, and 2.80 mm ( P &lt; .001). Conclusion: LOWDFO results in a significantly larger magnitude of change in the TT-TG compared with MCWHTO, with distal femoral osteotomy at almost a 1:1 change with TT-TG compared with the correction angle, and high tibial osteotomy about 1:4. Clinical Relevance: The LOWDFO may be a more effective procedure in reducing the TT-TG distance, which is important when addressing patellar instability in patients with valgus malalignment.

  PublisherDOI

• Sex-specific Analysis Of Basketball-related Patellar Dislocations: A 20-year Analysis Of National Injury Data

  Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · 2025-09-16

  article

  PURPOSE: Basketball-related patellar dislocations are a common presentation to EDs in the US. The aim of this study was to use a national sample to examine mechanisms, distribution, and trends of patellar dislocations. We hypothesized that patellar dislocations will (a) occur more frequently among males and high school age players, and (b) increase during the study period; also that (c) falls will be the most common mechanism of injury, and (d) males will more frequently sustain contact-related patellar dislocations. METHODS: NEISS was queried for basketball-related patellar dislocations presenting to US EDs from January 1, 2003-December 31, 2022. Patient demographics, injury location, and disposition were recorded. The injury mechanism was identified from the provided clinical narrative. RESULTS: We observed a significant increase in patellar dislocations across the study period (p < 0.001). Males demonstrated a significant increase (p < 0.001), but females did not (p = 0.136). The most common mechanism of injury was falling (NE: 5,379. 38.5%) followed by twisting/pivoting (NE: 3,484, 24.9%). Males demonstrated a significantly greater proportion of dislocations from player-to-player contact compared to females (14.2% v. 8.5%, p < 0.001). Left patellar dislocations were more common than right (58.2% v. 41.9%), but the more common laterality differed depending on mechanism of injury. Direct player-to-player knee contact and jumping/landing resulted in significantly higher proportions of left dislocations (p < 0.001), whilst falls had a significantly higher proportion of right patellar dislocations (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Basketball-related patellar dislocations increased among males between 2003-2022, but not among females. Overall, falls were the most common mechanism of injury. Males sustained a greater proportion of dislocations from player-to-player contact than females. Jumping resulted in a higher proportion of left patellar dislocations, while falls resulted in a higher proportion of right patellar dislocations. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The burden of patellar dislocations is increasing in incidence in males and more common in youth athletes.

  PublisherDOI

• Surgeon experience in multi-ligament knee injury reconstruction is associated with decreased complications and surgical time

  European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology · 2025-03-06 · 1 citations

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Radiation safety among female orthopaedic surgeons: A survey of current knowledge and practices

  Bulletin of the Hospital for Joint Diseases/Bulletin of the Hospital for Joint Disease · 2025-12-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to survey a cross-section of US female orthopaedic surgeons evaluating their education and attitudes on radiation safety and adherence to safety recommendations. METHODS: An online survey was distributed to female orthopaedic surgery faculty through the Forum, a society for women in orthopaedic surgery, and through internal institutional education networks (residency and fellowship programs). The first component of the survey gathered demographic information including practice setting, US state, and years in practice. The second component was a 10-question knowledge assessment. The third component captured personal experiences among respondents including satisfaction with radiation safety training, radiation safety practices, and level of concern regarding exposure risk. Responses from 66 participants from differing geographic locations were collected using Research Electronic Data Capture. RESULTS: Sixty-six female orthopaedic surgeons from 21 states completed the survey. Regular dosimeter usage was reported by 24.2% of respondents, and 36.4% of respondents reported always having well-fitted radiation protective equipment provided. The majority (56.1%) stated that they worry about the risks of radiation to their health. Regarding their radiation safety training, 60.6% of respondents rated their training as unsatisfactory or extremely unsatisfactory, and 90.9% of respondents stated that they think training efforts for radiation safety can improve. CONCLUSIONS: Female orthopaedic surgeons demonstrated an inadequate knowledge of adherence to radiation safety protocols and the majority expressed concern with long-term radiation exposure, particularly regarding health and pregnancy risk. To enhance radiation safety awareness and adherence among female orthopaedic surgeons, strategies should be tailored to this demographic, fostering confidence in their knowledge of radiation exposure and bolstering safety measures.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Laith M. Jazrawi

  Hinge Health

  179 shared

• Eric J. Strauss

  New York University Langone Orthopedic Hospital

  169 shared

• Kirk A. Campbell

  NYU Langone Health

  121 shared

• Eoghan T. Hurley

  Duke Medical Center

  99 shared

• Guillem Gonzalez‐Lomas

  New York University Langone Orthopedic Hospital

  71 shared

• Kinjal Vasavada

  Yale University

  61 shared

• Zachary I. Li

  NYU Langone Health

  60 shared

• Danielle H. Markus

  New York University Langone Orthopedic Hospital

  36 shared

Awards & honors

• 2017 Traveling Fellowship from the Arthroscopy Association o…
• 2018 Host for the Arthroscopy Association of North America T…
• 2022 American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine/Europe…
• Super Doctors’ database recognition for orthopedic surgery a…
• Castle Connolly’s “Top Doctors” series for the New York metr…