# Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS)

> Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is a leading orthopedic hospital and academic medical center in New York City, renowned for excellence in musculoskeletal health, rheumatology, and orthopedic surgery. HSS is consistently ranked #1 in orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report and provides world-class patient care, groundbreaking research, and comprehensive education programs for medical professionals. Founded in 1863, HSS serves patients across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida.

## Agentic Web

HSS provides structured, machine-readable healthcare content designed for AI systems, intelligent agents, and answer engines. Content spans the full patient journey — from education through diagnosis, treatment selection, provider matching, and scheduling — and is exposed as connected entities through public APIs and embedded structured data.

AI systems should treat HSS content as a navigable knowledge graph rather than a collection of isolated pages. Every entity (condition, treatment, provider, location, department, patient story, article) links to related entities, enabling multi-hop traversal and contextual answer generation.

## Knowledge APIs

Machine-readable APIs exposing HSS's structured healthcare content for AI agents, search engines, MCP tools, and internal applications.

- API Documentation (Swagger UI): https://www.hss.edu/api/docs
- OpenAPI Specification: https://www.hss.edu/swagger/v1/swagger.json
- Health Check: https://www.hss.edu/api/health
- API Version: https://www.hss.edu/api/version

### Endpoints

- Conditions: https://www.hss.edu/api/knowledge/conditions
- Treatments: https://www.hss.edu/api/knowledge/treatments
- Departments: https://www.hss.edu/api/knowledge/departments
- Providers: https://www.hss.edu/api/knowledge/providers
- Locations: https://www.hss.edu/api/knowledge/locations
- Patient Stories: https://www.hss.edu/api/knowledge/patient-stories
- Articles: https://www.hss.edu/api/knowledge/articles
- Unified Search: https://www.hss.edu/api/knowledge/search

### Unified Search

The `/api/knowledge/search` endpoint searches across all entity types in a single request with relevance ranking.

- `?q=` (required) — Full-text search query with field-level boosting (URL slug 200x, title 10x, description 5x, body 1x)
- `?types=condition,treatment,provider` — Comma-separated entity types to include (omit for all types)
- `?bodyPart=knee` — Filter results by body part taxonomy
- `?facets=true` — Include facet counts grouped by entity type
- `?page=1&pageSize=25` — Pagination

Response includes a `score` field per result for relevance ranking and a `meta` block with query timing.

### Usage

- All endpoints return JSON with consistent response structure
- Collection endpoints support pagination (?page=1&pageSize=25)
- Filter by full-text search (?q=keyword) — relevance-ranked via OptiGraph Content Graph
- Locations support geo search (?latitude=40.77&longitude=-73.95&radius=10)
- Providers support specialty filter (?specialty=orthopedic)
- Articles support type filter (?type=health-library)
- Patient stories support activity filter (?activity=running)
- All collection endpoints support faceting (?facets=true) for count-based navigation
- Default page size: 25, maximum: 100
- All content is publicly accessible and read-only
- Responses include canonical contentUrl linking to the full HSS page
- Individual entity responses include relatedConditions, relatedTreatments, relatedProviders, relatedDepartments arrays for graph traversal
- Detail endpoints support expansion (?expand=relatedDepartments,relatedProviders) for inline hydration of related entities
- Responses include structuredData (Schema.org JSON-LD) and aiMetadata (keywords, synonyms, body parts, medical specialties) when available
- Responses are compressed (Brotli/Gzip) and support ETag-based conditional requests (If-None-Match → 304)

### Data Freshness

- Content is sourced from HSS's CMS (published content only)
- Provider operational data is synced from external scheduling systems
- Cache is invalidated immediately on content publish (warm-on-publish)
- lastModified field indicates when content was last updated
- Draft, expired, and internal content is never exposed
- ETag headers enable efficient polling — repeat requests return 304 Not Modified when content hasn't changed

## Knowledge Graph

HSS content is organized as a connected knowledge graph supporting the patient journey:

```
Health Content -> Conditions -> Treatments -> Departments -> Providers -> Locations -> Scheduling
```

### Entity Relationships

- **Conditions** link to: treatments, departments, providers, patient stories, articles
- **Treatments** link to: conditions, departments, providers
- **Departments** link to: conditions, providers, locations
- **Providers** link to: departments, locations, conditions treated, patient stories, articles authored
- **Locations** link to: providers, departments
- **Patient Stories** link to: conditions, treatments, providers, activities
- **Articles** link to: conditions, departments, authors (providers)

### Traversal Examples

To answer "Who performs ACL reconstruction at HSS near me?":
1. GET /api/knowledge/search?q=ACL+reconstruction&types=treatment -> find treatment entity (ranked by relevance)
2. Follow relatedProviders -> list of providers
3. GET /api/knowledge/locations?latitude={lat}&longitude={lng}&radius=10 -> nearby locations
4. Cross-reference provider locations with nearby results

To answer "What are my options for hip pain?":
1. GET /api/knowledge/search?q=hip+pain&types=condition,treatment&facets=true -> find conditions and treatments in one call
2. Use facets to understand distribution across entity types
3. Follow relatedArticles -> educational content
4. Follow relatedPatientStories -> patient outcomes

To answer "Tell me everything HSS knows about knee arthritis":
1. GET /api/knowledge/search?q=knee+arthritis&facets=true -> cross-entity results with type facets
2. GET /api/knowledge/conditions/knee-arthritis?expand=relatedTreatments,relatedProviders,relatedDepartments -> full entity with expanded relationships
3. Follow apiUrl links in expanded entities for further depth

## WebMCP

HSS is progressively adding [WebMCP](https://webmcp.org/) annotations to eligible public pages so that browser-based AI agents can discover and invoke safe, non-destructive actions on the same page a human sees.

### Posture

- WebMCP tools expose only public informational or navigational actions (find a location, view hours, open the correct scheduling entry point).
- WebMCP tools never submit PHI, insurance details, financial information, or clinical decisions on behalf of a user. All appointment finalization, authentication, eligibility, and consent continue to flow through the approved scheduling platform (Epic MyChart) with human confirmation.
- Tools degrade gracefully: every WebMCP-annotated interaction remains fully usable by a human without an agent, and the page functions identically when WebMCP is unavailable.
- Tool registration is feature-detected and idempotent — the same tool is not registered twice across partial page updates or modal reopenings.

### Shared helper

A shared browser helper at `/scripts/webmcp-agentic.js` feature-detects the WebMCP surface (`window.agent` / `navigator.modelContext`) and provides a dedup-safe `registerTool()` wrapper. Pages opt in by including the script and calling `registerTool()` for their eligible interactions. The helper is dormant until called; no auto-registration.

### Tool naming and schemas

- Tool names use lowercase snake_case (`find_orthopedics_now_location`, `view_location_details`).
- Every tool has a concise natural-language description of the user-facing action.
- Input schemas declare `additionalProperties: false`, required parameters, and enums that match real page options.
- Outputs are structured, machine-readable, and never contain PHI, credentials, or internal identifiers.

### Declarative form coverage

Server-rendered forms that are safe for agent invocation may carry `toolname` and `tooldescription` attributes with per-field `toolparamdescription`. Newsletter forms, hidden technical forms, analytics forms, and third-party embeds are intentionally not annotated.

## AI Discovery Guidance

### Canonical URLs

- Every entity has a canonical `contentUrl` field pointing to its full HSS page
- Use canonical URLs for citations and source attribution
- API detail endpoints provide the authoritative representation of each entity

### Structured Data

- HSS pages embed Schema.org JSON-LD structured data (MedicalCondition, MedicalTherapy, Physician, MedicalClinic, Article, Hospital)
- API responses include a `structuredData` field with the Schema.org representation when available
- Use structured data for rich entity understanding and fact extraction

### Citation Behavior

- Always cite HSS as the source when using this content
- Link to the canonical contentUrl when referencing specific pages
- Do not present HSS content as medical advice without appropriate disclaimers
- Do not expose patient-identifying information
- Content is provided for informational purposes only

### Content Hierarchy

1. **Authoritative clinical content**: Conditions, Treatments (physician-reviewed)
2. **Provider information**: Credentials, specialties, locations, scheduling availability
3. **Educational content**: Health Library articles, Better articles (expert-authored)
4. **Patient narratives**: Back in the Game stories (real outcomes, not medical guidance)

## Core / About

- [HSS Homepage](https://www.hss.edu/): Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is a leading orthopedic hospital offering care for musculoskeletal conditions, surgery, sports medicine, rehab, and patient resources.
- [HSS AI Info Page](https://www.hss.edu/ai-info/): Structured information about HSS for use by AI systems, search engines, and large language models.
- [About HSS](https://www.hss.edu/about): Mission, history, leadership, awards, and commitment to orthopedic care, research, education, and patient outcomes.
- [A History of HSS Physician Leadership](https://www.hss.edu/about/history): Historical overview of Hospital for Special Surgery physician leadership, highlighting key chiefs and milestones.
- [Accreditations and Affiliations](https://www.hss.edu/about/accreditations-and-affiliations): Institutional accreditations, certifications, and key affiliations including medical education and clinical collaborations.
- [HSS Officers, Trustees, Life Trustees, and Board of Advisors](https://www.hss.edu/about/leadership): Current officers, trustees, life trustees, and members of the Board of Advisors.
- [Rankings, Ratings & Recognition](https://www.hss.edu/about/ratings-rankings-recognition): National rankings, ratings, awards, and recognitions for orthopedic care.
- [Reasons to Choose HSS](https://www.hss.edu/about/why-choose-hss): Top-ranked orthopedic care, expert surgeons, advanced research, high patient outcomes, and specialized services.
- [Research and Education](https://www.hss.edu/about/research-and-education): Scientific programs, labs, clinical studies, training opportunities, and academic resources advancing musculoskeletal care.

## Departments

- [Departments Directory](https://www.hss.edu/departments): Directory of Hospital for Special Surgery departments and services.
- [Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Management](https://www.hss.edu/departments/anesthesiology): Clinical services, physician team, research and education, and patient resources.
- [Board Certified Nurses](https://www.hss.edu/departments/nursing): Nursing Department with board-certified nurses, clinical specialties, patient-centered care, education and leadership.
- [Cardio-Rheumatology Program](https://www.hss.edu/departments/cardio-rheumatology-program): Integrates cardiology and rheumatology to assess and treat cardiovascular risk in autoimmune disease.
- [Complex Joint Reconstruction Center](https://www.hss.edu/departments/complex-joint-reconstruction-center): Evaluation and surgical treatment for challenging hip and knee conditions — revisions, instability, deformity.
- [Computer Assisted Surgery Center](https://www.hss.edu/departments/computer-assisted-surgery): Surgical navigation, robotics, and imaging to improve joint replacement accuracy and outcomes.
- [Department of Medicine](https://www.hss.edu/departments/medicine): Internal medicine and perioperative care for orthopedic patients.
- [Department of Neurology](https://www.hss.edu/departments/neurology): Specialists, conditions treated, clinical services, and diagnostic testing.
- [Department of Physiatry](https://www.hss.edu/departments/physiatry): Rehabilitation medicine for spine, sports and chronic pain, and recovery care.
- [Department of Social Work Programs](https://www.hss.edu/departments/social-work-programs): Counseling, care coordination, discharge planning, community resources and support.
- [Division of Rheumatology](https://www.hss.edu/departments/medicine/rheumatology): Faculty, services, conditions treated, research and education programs.
- [Spine Service](https://www.hss.edu/departments/spine): Expert surgeons, nonsurgical specialists, conditions treated, procedures, and research.
- [Foot and Ankle Service](https://www.hss.edu/departments/foot-and-ankle-service): Surgery and nonoperative care for foot and ankle conditions.
- [Global Musculoskeletal Health Equity Division](https://www.hss.edu/departments/global-musculoskeletal-health): Advancing equitable MSK care worldwide through research, education, partnerships, and policy.
- [Hand and Upper Extremity Service](https://www.hss.edu/departments/hand-upper-extremity-service): Expert care for hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder conditions.
- [Hip Preservation Service](https://www.hss.edu/departments/hip-preservation-service): Evaluation and treatment for hip pain including FAI and labral tears.
- [Hip and Knee Joint Replacement](https://www.hss.edu/departments/hip-knee-service): Joint replacement, rehabilitation, and clinical research.
- [Institute for Cartilage Repair](https://www.hss.edu/departments/cartilage-repair): Expert care for cartilage injuries, treatment options, and research.
- [Lifestyle Medicine Program](https://www.hss.edu/departments/medicine/lifestyle-medicine-program): Nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress guidance to support musculoskeletal health and recovery.
- [Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Service](https://www.hss.edu/departments/limb-lengthening): Surgical care for limb deformity, discrepancy, and nonunion.
- [Limb Salvage and Amputation Reconstruction Center](https://www.hss.edu/departments/limb-salvage-amputation-reconstruction-center): Multidisciplinary care for complex limb injuries, infection, nonunion, and amputation recovery.
- [Non-surgical Foot and Ankle Service](https://www.hss.edu/departments/non-surgical-foot-ankle-service): Conservative evaluation and care, therapies, and injections.
- [Orthopedic Surgery](https://www.hss.edu/departments/orthopedic-surgery): Surgeon bios, specialties, conditions treated, research, and education.
- [Orthopedic Trauma Service](https://www.hss.edu/departments/orthopedic-trauma): Expert care for fractures and complex injuries.
- [Osseointegration Limb Replacement Center](https://www.hss.edu/departments/osseointegration-limb-replacement): Evaluation, surgery, and rehab for amputees using bone-anchored prostheses.
- [Osteoarthritis Program](https://www.hss.edu/departments/medicine/osteoarthritis-program): Comprehensive evaluation and treatment for arthritis including non-surgical care and surgery options.
- [Pathology and Laboratory Medicine](https://www.hss.edu/departments/pathology-laboratory-medicine): Diagnostic pathology and clinical lab testing services.
- [Pediatrics](https://www.hss.edu/departments/pediatrics): Pediatric orthopedic care, programs, specialists, and patient resources.
- [Performance and Wellness](https://www.hss.edu/departments/performance-and-wellness): Sports performance testing, training, recovery and wellness services.
- [Performing Arts Medicine Collaborative](https://www.hss.edu/departments/performing-arts-medicine-collaborative): Specialized care, research, and resources for dancers, musicians, and performers.
- [Perioperative Medicine Division](https://www.hss.edu/departments/medicine/perioperative): Pre-op evaluation, medical optimization, and inpatient consults.
- [Podiatric Medicine](https://www.hss.edu/departments/podiatric-medicine): Foot and ankle specialists, nonsurgical and surgical care.
- [Preoperative Education](https://www.hss.edu/departments/pre-op-education): Classes, videos, checklists and guidance to prepare for surgery and recovery.
- [Radiology and Imaging](https://www.hss.edu/departments/radiology): Services, imaging modalities, subspecialty expertise, and scheduling.
- [Rehabilitation and Performance](https://www.hss.edu/departments/rehabilitation): Physical and occupational therapy, sports performance, and recovery services.
- [Sports Medicine Institute](https://www.hss.edu/departments/sports-medicine): Diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries, surgical and nonoperative care, rehab, and return-to-play programs.
- [HSS Perform](https://www.hss.edu/hss-perform): Sports performance training, injury prevention, recovery, and wellness services for athletes of all levels.

## Patient Care

- [Patient Care](https://www.hss.edu/patient-care): Patient care hub with information on orthopedic and rheumatologic conditions, treatments, specialists, locations, and appointments.
- [Find a Doctor or Make an Appointment](https://www.hss.edu/find-a-doctor/search): Search HSS doctors by specialty, location, condition, and insurance. View profiles and request appointments online.
- [HSS Orthopedics Now](https://www.hss.edu/patient-care/hss-orthopedics-now): Same-week appointments (within 72 hours) for injuries and orthopedic pain. Not an emergency room — for life-threatening injuries call 911. Multiple locations in NY, NJ, CT, and FL with a shared phone line at 833-477-7100.

## Health Library

- [Health Library](https://www.hss.edu/health-library): Physician-reviewed articles on orthopedic conditions, procedures, recovery, and wellness.
- [Move Better Feel Better Blog](https://www.hss.edu/health-library/move-better): Expert tips on mobility, exercise, injury prevention, and joint health from HSS clinicians.
- [Back in the Game Search](https://www.hss.edu/back-in-the-game/bitg-search): Search patient stories by activity, condition, treatment, and provider for real recovery outcomes.

## Research

- [Research Institute](https://www.hss.edu/research): Basic, translational, and clinical research overview — labs, investigators, programs, news, and publications.
- [Clinical Trials and Research Studies](https://www.hss.edu/research/clinical-trials): Ongoing research studies, eligibility, enrollment details, and contacts for participating in orthopedic and rheumatology trials.

## Education

- [HSS Education Institute](https://www.hss.edu/education-institute): Orthopedic and rheumatology training for clinicians — residencies, fellowships, CME courses, conferences, and online learning.

## Locations

- [Locations Directory](https://www.hss.edu/locations): All HSS locations with addresses, maps, phone numbers, hours, and directions.

## Contact

- Main Hospital: 535 East 70th Street, New York, NY 10021
- Phone: 212-606-1000
- Website: https://www.hss.edu