George A. Paletta, Jr., MD, MBA
Sports Medicine Surgeon
HSS - East River Professional Building523 East 72nd Street, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10021
Tel: 212.224.7932
Fax: 917.260.4932
New York, NY 10021
Tel: 212.224.7932
Fax: 917.260.4932
About Dr. Paletta
Dr. George Paletta Jr, is a nationally and internationally recognized orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine. His practice focus includes upper extremity problems of the shoulder and elbow, especially in overhead throwing athletes, as well as knee ligament, meniscus and cartilage surgery. He also has a special interest in the pediatric and adolescent athlete.
He is a 1984 graduate of Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts where he completed a degree in chemistry and was an Academic All-American lacrosse player. He completed his medical degree at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1988. His orthopedic residency was at the world renowned Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. His training included 3 post-graduate fellowships in various disciplines of sports medicine. He completed a Fellowship in Sports Medicine Research at Hospital for Special Surgery, an Adult Sports Medicine Fellowship at The Cleveland Clinic and a Pediatric and Adolescent Sports Medicine Fellowship at Children's Hospital of Michigan.
His professional career has included both academic and private practice. He began his practice at Hospital for Special Surgery from 1996-1998. From 1998-2005 he was a member of the faculty of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine where he served as Assistant then Associate Professor, Chief of Sports Medicine and Director of the Sports Medicine Fellowship. In 2005 he joined The Orthopedic Center of St. Louis, a private practice orthopedic group.
Dr. Paletta was Team Physician for the St. Louis Rams from 1998 to 2003 and Head Team Physician and Medical Director for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1998 to 2014. He completed his MBA from Washington University in St Louis in May 2015. He rejoined the St. Louis Cardinals as Head Team Orthopedic Surgeon in 2016. He is now Team Physician for the New York Mets.
Departments
Special Expertise
Elbow ligament reconstruction
Elbow arthroscopy
Shoulder arthroscopy including rotator cuff repair, labral repair and stabilization surgery
Procedures
UCL reconstruction, primary repair and hybrid reconstruction
Biceps/triceps repair/reconstruction
Medial/lateral epicondylitis surgery
Elbow arthroscopy
Shoulder arthroscopy
Shoulder labral repair and instability surgery
Rotator cuff repair
ACL reconstruction, knee ligament surgery
Insurance
If your insurance is not listed, please call our office if you have questions regarding your insurance coverage. If you have out-of-network benefits, then your insurance may reimburse you for a portion of your office visit. We will work with you and your insurance to minimize your out-of-pocket costs. Financial assistance may be available for patients in need.
Credentials
Appointments
Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, Hospital for Special Surgery
Affiliations
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
American Orthopaedic Association for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)
American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES)
Major League Team Physicians Association (MLBTPA)
Certification
American Board of Orthopedic Surgery
Education
Medical: The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1988
Internship: Northwestern University Hospital, 1989
Residency: Hospital for Special Surgery, 1994
Fellowship: Hospital for Special Surgery, 1990
The Cleveland Clinic, 1995
Children's Hospital of Michigan, 1996
State Licensure
New York
Languages
English
For My Patients
Shoulder Animations
- Shoulder - Bankart Repair animation
- Shoulder - Detached Labrum Repair animation
- Shoulder - Diagnostic Arthroscopy animation
- Shoulder - Distal Clavicle Resection animation
- Shoulder - Fully Torn Rotator Cuff animation
- Shoulder - Partially Torn Rotator Cuff animation
- Shoulder - SLAP Lesion Repair animation
- Shoulder - Subacromial Decompression animation
- Shoulder - Trimming Torn Labrum animation
Publications by Dr. Paletta
Research
Dr. Paletta has research interests in the areas of elbow ulnar collateral ligament injury and repair as well as shoulder conditions affecting the overhead and throwing athletes such as baseball players. His particular interests include researching methods to improve clinical outcomes and advance surgical techniques to shorten times to return to play. He also has interest in knee meniscus preservation and meniscus repair and stabilization. He is involved in pioneering research on the role of meniscus extrusion in the development of osteoarthritis and in techniques to surgically stabilize the meniscus, eliminate extrusion and restore meniscus function.
Industry Relationships
Industry Relationships
HSS has a long history of supporting appropriate relationships with industry because they advance HSS's mission to provide the highest quality patient care, improve patient mobility, and enhance the quality of life for all, and to advance the science of orthopedic surgery, rheumatology, and their related disciplines through research and education.
As of April 17, 2025, Dr. Paletta reported no relationships with the healthcare industry.
HSS and its physicians make this information available to patients and the public, thus creating a transparent environment for those who are interested in this information. Further, the HSS Conflicts of Interest and Commitment Policy prohibits physicians from collecting royalties on products they develop that are used on patients at HSS.
