Leon E. Popovitz, MD
I co-founded New York Bone and Joint Specialists to provide care for all bone and joint problems.

We have a subspecialist in each and every field of orthopedic surgery, physiatry and rehabilitation medicine to provide complete, complementary and team-based care.
— Leon E. Popovitz, MD

arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgery specialist

Leon E. Popovitz, MD, co-founder of New York Bone & Joint Specialists, is a top-rated orthopedic surgeon in New York City and New Jersey. He is an internationally recognized specialist in arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, arthroscopic surgery of the knee and sports medicine. 

Dr. Popovitz’ expertise is in minimally invasive repair and/or reconstruction of the shoulder and knee. This includes shoulder labrum, dislocations/bankart and rotator cuff tears. In the knee, this includes ACL, meniscus and cartilage tears. His treatment philosophy is that preservation of all the vital structures, with which we are born, is the key to extending the life of our joints.

Constantly at the forefront of advancements in orthopedic medicine, Dr. Popovitz’ clinical studies focus on the latest non-surgical and surgical developments. In addition, Dr. Popovitz’ inventions encompass the highest level of techniques and developments that will be used by orthopedic surgeons in the future.

Honored to have been an orthopedic surgeon for the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, Dr. Popovitz regularly treats  athletes of all levels ,from the professional to the recreational ,with the same absolute dedication. Moreover, he is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, he was elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery and he is a member of the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy. 

Leon E. Popovitz, MD was born in the Ukraine and immigrated to the United States with his family when he was a child. He grew up in Queens, NY and, at the age of 17, he was accepted to the renowned Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education. The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education is a combined B.S/M.D. program that recruits exceptional students, immediately out of high school, that are committed to pursuing a career in medicine.

Leon E. Popovitz, MD went on to graduate from New York Medical College. He then completed an Internship in General Surgery at the Level 1 Trauma Center of St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center of New York. Subsequently, he proceeded to complete his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. His training included Harvard Children’s Hospital in Boston, MA and Cornell/ Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Afterwards, he completed a Fellowship in Arthroscopic Surgery and Sports Medicine at the distinguished NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases.

Leon E. Popovitz, MD is an Attending at Northwell/Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC, which holds national status in Orthopedic Surgery. He has been honored by The Global Jewish Assistance & Relief Network for his devoted efforts and philanthropic support. The Consumer Research Council of America ranks Dr. Popovitz among the Top Surgeons, Top Orthopedic Surgeons and Top Physicians since 2004. Dr. Popovitz has also been inducted into the Leading Physicians of the World by the International Association of Healthcare Professionals. He has been listed in The New York Times as a SuperDoctor. The distinguished Castle Connolly organization has ranked him as one of the America’s Top Doctors 2017, and 2016. In addition, Leon E. Popovitz, MD has been selected as one of the Top Doctors and Top Orthopedic Surgeons by New York Magazine.

Leon E. Popovitz, MD’s focus of orthopedic SHOULDER expertise lies in Arthroscopic Surgery of the Shoulder for the treatment of:

  • Shoulder Labral (SLAP) Tears
  • Shoulder/ Rotator Cuff Impingement
  • Shoulder Dislocations – First Time and Recurrent
  • Shoulder Ligament Injuries & Tears
  • Rotator Cuff Tears
  • Shoulder (AC Joint) Separation or Sprain
  • AC Joint Osteolysis/ “Weight Lifters” Shoulder
  • Sports Injuries of the Shoulder

Leon E. Popovitz, MD’s focus of orthopedic KNEE expertise lies in Arthroscopic Surgery of the Knee for the treatment of:

  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tears
  • Meniscal Tears
  • Knee Ligament Tears
  • Articular Cartilage Damage
  • Osteochondral Injuries
  • Recurrent Patellar (Knee Cap) Dislocations
  • Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis
  • Synovitis
  • Chondromalacia Patella
  • Loose Bodies in the Knee

Education & Experience

Undergraduate
Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education

Medical School
Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education

Internship - General Surgery
Level 1 Trauma Center - St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center

Residency - Orthopedic Surgery
Lenox Hill Hospital and Medical Center - New York

Fellowship - Arthroscopic Surgery & Sports Medicine
New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases


Credentials

Faculty & Facilities

  • Attending Department of Orthopedic Surgery, North Shore LIJ Lenox Hill Hospital
  • SurgiCare of Manhattan
  • Midtown Surgery Center
  • Health East Medical Center - Englewood, NJ
  • Health East Ambulatory Surgical Center - Englewood, NJ
  • SurgiCare of Englewood Cliffs - Englewood NJ

Certifications & Memberships

  • Board Certified – American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery Fellow
  • American Academy of Sports Medicine Fellow