Dr. David W. Altchek

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. HSS is the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. 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.

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%.