About Hospital for Special Surgery

Best Hospital, Best Results

HSS is the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, ranked No. 1 in orthopedics for 12 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report (2021-2022). HSS has also been among the top-ranked hospitals for both orthopedics and rheumatology for 30 consecutive years.

Because an infection can be a devastating outcome for an orthopedic patient, HSS takes infection control extremely seriously and has one of the lowest infection rates in the country.

HSS accepts most major insurance plans. Our Insurance Advisory Service can answer questions regarding your insurance coverage.

Learn more about why you should entrust HSS with your care.

Unmatched Experience

Founded in 1863, Hospital for Special Surgery is the oldest orthopedic hospital in the United States. More than 32,000 surgical procedures are performed annually. HSS performs more hip surgeries and more knee replacements than any other hospital in the US. Compare our surgical volume to other hospitals.

Nursing’s Highest Honor

HSS was the first hospital in New York City to receive the Magnet Award for Nursing Excellence and the first hospital in the New York State to be redesignated with nursing’s highest honor five consecutive times.

Pioneering Research and Innovation

The HSS Research Institute comprises 20 laboratories and 300 staff members focused on leading the advancement of musculoskeletal health through prevention of degeneration, tissue repair and tissue regeneration. With its state-of-the-art technology, large patient volume, and special “bench to bedside” teams of doctors and scientists, HSS can swiftly translate scientific breakthroughs into clinical treatments. The global standard total knee replacement was developed at HSS in 1969. The HSS Innovation Institute was formed in 2016 to realize the potential of new drugs, therapeutics and devices.

Leading the Field in Radiology and Anesthesiology

HSS is one of the world’s largest academic centers devoted to orthopedic imaging. HSS radiologists have developed new protocols for the diagnostic imaging of bones, tendons, ligaments and other soft tissues, including MRIs of metal implants and cartilage. HSS anesthesiologists are globally recognized leaders in regional anesthesia. This technique, pioneered at HSS, has been shown to reduce bleeding, minimize postoperative pain, and shorten surgical time. Most importantly, the use of regional anesthesia reduces the chance of having a surgical infection by 50%.

Training Tomorrow’s Leaders

Every HSS doctor holds an appointment on the faculty of Weill Cornell Medical College. HSS has one of the most sought after orthopedic residency programs, with over 400 of its 500+ graduates holding positions in major orthopedic departments, many serving as department heads. The HSS Education Institute is the world’s leading provider of education on musculoskeletal health, with an online learning platform that offers more than 600 courses to more than 21,000 medical professional members worldwide. HSS eAcademy, the digital education platform for professionals, has grown its presence to over 30,152 members worldwide, with international engagement from over 130 countries. Through HSS Global, the institution is collaborating with medical centers and other organizations to advance the quality and value of musculoskeletal care and to make world-class HSS care more widely accessible nationally and internationally.

Treating Professional and Elite Athletes

Doctors and physical therapists from HSS have the distinction of being the team physicians and athletic trainers for the following professional and college sports teams:

Hip Surgery

Knee Surgery

Arthroscopic Surgery