Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Service

Why Choose HSS

Knowledge gained through depth of experience:

• Our orthopedic surgeons perform over 10,000 hip and knee replacements – more than any other hospital in the U.S.
• Our unmatched experience enables our surgeons to treat some complex conditions and we lead the field in safety with one of the lowest infection rates. Our patients heal and recover faster with fewer post-operative complications.
• HSS is nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the ninth consecutive year) by U.S.News & World Report (2018-2019). These rankings are based on several factors including evaluation by peer physicians.
• We are an academic medical center committed to training future generations of orthopedic surgeons. Our patients benefit from our experience treating the most complex cases, the latest treatment options and state-of-the-art technologies, and a team of clinicians who are the best and brightest in their areas of expertise.

The biggest help we give our patients is to start with the correct diagnosis.

Millions of individuals across the country and world suffer from debilitating joint pain. Joint pain often involves:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) – bone damage caused by injuries both new and old, or simple wear and tear.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – systemic, inflammatory disease that may cause significant joint pain. RA can happen at any age and can show a variety of symptoms, some of which can be highly debilitating.

We’re making great strides in hip and knee replacement.

Whether searching for a solution for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, our team will provide patients with the latest treatment options, a continuity of care found only at HSS, and a group of the most experienced surgeons in the world.

Where appropriate, we may recommend no surgery at all, instead opting for a regimen that may include medications, pain management techniques, and physical therapy.

For those patients who do require hip or knee replacement, our surgeons will work with you to select the most appropriate options based on your needs and medical history. Options include:

Types of Hip Replacement

Total Hip Replacement: In a traditional total hip replacement – still considered the “gold standard” approach by many – muscles around the hip joint are exposed, damaged areas of the hip ball (femoral head) and socket (acetabulum) are removed, and the artificial joint is inserted. Where appropriate, we use minimally invasive techniques that allow for smaller incisions. Typically, the incision will be made in the back of the hip (posterior approach); in some cases, it may be made in the front or side of the hip (anterior approach).

Total Hip Replacement Animation

 

Hip Resurfacing: Unlike a traditional hip replacement, hip resurfacing does not remove the hip ball; instead, the damaged ball is reshaped and capped with a metal prosthesis. The damaged socket is fitted with a metal prosthesis similar to a traditional hip replacement.

Hip Resurfacing Animation

 

Hip Revision: A hip revision is a re-operation of a total hip replacement due to a mechanical or biological failure that may develop – though relatively uncommon – over the lifespan of the prosthesis.

Hip Revision Animation

 

Types of Knee Replacement

Total Knee Replacement: Like total hip, total knee replacement is considered the “gold standard” approach for the treatment of extensive knee arthritis. In total knee replacement, the damaged areas of the knee are exposed and removed; the remaining bone is prepared to receive the artificial knee joint, and then the prosthesis is inserted. Where appropriate, we use minimally invasive techniques that allow for smaller incisions.

Knee Replacement Animation

 

Partial Knee Replacement: In partial knee replacement, only one section – or “compartment” – of the knee is replaced, instead of the entire joint. Partial knee replacement may be appropriate for some patients in which the arthritis is confined to a single compartment. Your surgeon will determine whether you may be an appropriate candidate.

Partial Knee Replacement Animation

 

Knee Revision: Just as with hip implants, knee implants that fail for mechanical or biological reasons over the lifespan of the device may require revision.

Knee Revision Animation

 

For both knee and hip replacement procedures, some surgeons at HSS may use a computer-navigated robotic arm to facilitate the placement and alignment of the implant.

After the hip and knee, the shoulder is the third most common joint affected by arthritis. For some patients suffering from shoulder arthritis, total shoulder replacement may be an appropriate option.

Your Pathway to Recovery

A Patient's Guide to
Total Hip Replacement Surgery

A Patient's Guide to
Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Contacting us is the first step. We are here to help.

Superior Outcomes

As the #1 orthopedic hospital in the nation and the leader in surgical volumes for many orthopedic specialties, patients expect superior outcomes from treatment at Hospital for Special Surgery. Our Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement (ARJR) Service delivers on these expectations through our specialization and relentless focus on quality.

Back in the Game

Many patients seek treatment with the ARJR Service because they are in pain or have lost the ability to function at a desired level. The overwhelming majority of patients show dramatic improvement after either hip or knee surgery from one of our ARJR surgeons.

Total Hip Replacement

Patients report improvement after hip replacement surgery. Rings represent reported outcomes two years post-surgery.

Total Knee Replacement

Patients report improvement after knee replacement surgery. Rings represent reported outcomes two years post-surgery.

Getting it Right the First Time

It all starts with an accurate diagnosis. Many patients come to us with questions about what to do next. Surgery benefits many patients with orthopedic conditions, but it's not right for all patients. The ARJR doctors at HSS are experts in guiding patients to the appropriate choice of treatment.

• Among patients who came to HSS looking for a second opinion, 24% received a recommendation for a different course of treatment including those not recommended for surgery. [Source: HSS internal data pilot, 2014-2015]
• When the diagnosis calls for surgery, HSS excels at anticipating, measuring and minimizing potential problems. HSS ranks in the 99.3 percentile in New York State and 99.9 percentile nationally in total joint replacement surgery based on avoided complications. [Source: CareChex® - a division of Comparion, FFY2012-FFY2012 MedPar data]

At HSS, we pride ourselves on our low incidence of unexpected problems after surgery. HSS has a significantly lower Surgical Site Infection (SSI) rate than the state average, as determined by the New York State Department of Health.

Higher Surgical Volume Leads to Higher Quality

Research continues to demonstrate that the surgeons and hospitals that get the best results from total joint replacement surgeries tend to be the ones who perform those surgeries most often. Higher volume is correlated with lower rates of mortality, infection, pneumonia, and other complications. HSS performs substantially more total joint replacement surgeries than other top national hospitals. At HSS, there are 25 ARJR surgeons who perform more than 10,000 surgeries each year.

Outcomes Worth Talking About

'Likelihood to Recommend' is a key indicator of satisfaction with the outcome of treatment. HSS patients demonstrate a higher Likelihood to Recommend than the patients at other leading orthopedic hospitals.