About Dr. Cammisa
Dr. Frank Cammisa, Chief Emeritus of HSS Spine at Hospital for Special Surgery, specializes in the surgical treatment of spinal disorders. His areas of expertise include minimally invasive spinal surgery, computer-assisted spinal surgery, microsurgery, athletic spinal injuries and motion-preserving procedures, including artificial disc replacement.
In addition to treating patients as an Attending Surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery, Dr. Cammisa is a Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College. He has long been active in working with professional, scholastic and recreational athletes. Many professional athletes including members of the Giants and Jets football teams and Knicks basketball team are among the pro-athletes who consult with Dr. Cammisa for expert diagnosis and treatment, including surgery, if necessary. He is also the spine consultant for the National Hockey League Player Association.
In surveys of his peers, Dr. Cammisa is consistently named as one of the best doctors in his field. He is listed among a select group of surgeons in New York magazine's "Best Doctors" issue year after year. He is also named in the Castle Connolly Medical Guide, How To Find The Best Doctors in New York and is among the physicians named as America's Top Doctors.
Dr. Cammisa is often called on by the media for his expertise and he has appeared in countless print and broadcast reports. He was recognized by New York magazine as one of "12 Doctors Who are Reinventing Medicineā in an article focusing on his research in artificial discs to relieve debilitating back pain.
Dr. Cammisa engages in research to advance the diagnosis and treatment of complex spine conditions. Recognized as a pioneer in the use of new surgical techniques, procedures and modalities, he often participates as the principal investigator in major research studies. His areas of investigation include computer-assisted image guidance, demineralized bone matrix, minimally invasive spinal surgery, and the artificial disc as an alternative to spinal fusion for debilitating back pain.
He has received a number of prestigious research grants. He was one of the lead investigators of a seven-year, multi-center national study funded by a $21 million dollar grant by the National Institutes of Health. The study was one of the first to directly compare the effectiveness of surgical versus nonsurgical approaches to treat herniated disc, spinal stenosis, and degenerative spondylolisthesis.
Dr. Cammisa has published over 130 research articles and manuscripts in dozens of prestigious medical journals, including The Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA). One such study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, was a multi-center trial to compare treatments for degenerative spondylolisthesis, which is caused when a vertebra slips out of alignment. The study followed 601 patients in 11 states over two years to compare surgical and nonsurgical treatments. Dr. Cammisa and his colleagues around the country found that surgery was twice as effective as nonsurgical approaches in reducing pain and restoring function.
As a co-author of more than 30 chapters in medical textbooks, Dr. Cammisa has held numerous editorial appointments, and is a reviewer for several respected medical journals. He is the recipient of many awards and honors, and has lectured both nationally and internationally.
Dr. Cammisa created The National Spinal Research Foundation and has been affiliated with the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. Dr. Cammisa is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. He is also a member of such distinguished medical societies as the North American Spine Society, Cervical Spine Research Society, Scoliosis Research Society, International Society for the Study of Lumbar Spine, American Spinal Injury Association and Spine Arthroplasty Society.
For more information, visit www.spinecareofny.com
Profile Video
Departments
Specialized Centers
Integrated Spine Research Program
Performing Arts Medicine Collaborative
Special Expertise
Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
Robotic-Assisted Spinal Surgery
Microsurgery
Athletic Spinal Injuries
Motion Preservation
Biologics - Disc Regeneration
Cervical and Lumbar Herniated Disc
Cervical Stenosis
Lumbar Stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Patient Stories
Videos
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
William and Barbara Weldon Chair in Spine Innovation
Frank P. Cammisa, Jr., MD Chair in Spine Surgery
Chief Emeritus, Spine Surgical Service, Hospital for Special Surgery
Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, Hospital for Special Surgery
Senior Scientist, Clinical Research, Hospital for Special Surgery
Professor of Clinical Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College
Medical Staff, New York Football Giants
Spine Consultant, New York Mets
Spine Consultant, NHL Players Association
Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
Affiliations
North American Spine Society
International College of Surgeons
Fellow American College of Surgeons
Cervical Spine Research Society
International Society for the Study of Lumbar Spine
Certification
National Board of Medical Examiners
American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, ABOS
Awards
Castle Connolly Top Doctor - 20 Years
Guide to Americaās Top Surgeons, Consumer Research Council of America, 2002- Present
Best Papers āThe Relationship Between Paraspinal Muscle Atrophy and Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis at the L4/5 Levelā North American Spine Society, Chicago, Illinois, 2024
Lifetime Achievement Award, Hospital for Special Surgery, 2023
Whitecloud Award Finalist ā Best Basic Science/Translational Paper nternational Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques, 2023
Best Poster Award 24th EFORT Annual Congress Vienna, Austria, 2023
Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine Editor's Choice & Cover of the Issue āComparative Effectiveness of Anesthetic Technique on Outcomes After Lumbar Spine Surgeryā, 2023
First Place Poster Presentation Philadelphia Spine Research Society Symposium āA Comparative Review of Lumbar Circumferential Fusion: Pedicle Screw Fixation vs Interlaminar Fusion Stabilizationā, 2023
Georg-Schmorl Prize, German Spine Society āThe Influence of Sarcopenia and Paraspinal Muscle Composition on Patient-Reported Outcomes: A Prospective Investigation of Lumbar Spinal Fusion Patients with 12-Month Follow-Up", 2023
Castle Connolly Top Doctors in New York Metro Area, 2002-2022
New York Magazine Top Doctors, 2002-2016, 2021-2022
Best of Greenwich Award Not-for-Profit category Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths (RID), 2022
Castle Connolly America's Top Doctors 2003ā2020
Leon Wiltse Award for Best Overall Paper Charles D. Ray Award for Best Clinical Paper International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery, 2020
Il Leone di San Marco Award in Medicine, Italian Heritage and Culture Committee, 2019
Lumbar Spine Research Society, Best Paper Award, 2018
Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, Marquis Whoās Who, 2017
National Consumer Advisory Board, America's Best Physicians, 2017
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Best Poster: Spine, 2016
International Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (IAO), The Leading Physicians of the World, Publication, 2016
North American Spine Society, Best Paper Measurement of Surgical Outcomes, 2015
Spine Across the Sea, Best Papers, 2015
European Society of Anesthesiology, Best Abstract Award, 2013
Cervical Spine Research Society ā Asia Pacific Section, Best Podium Award, 2013
Cervical Spine Research Society ā European Section, Best Poster Award, 2013
North American Spine Society Outstanding Paper Award for Surgical Science, 2013
Eastern Orthopaedic Association, Founders Award, 2012
Spine Across the Sea, Best Poster Award, 2012
International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques, Whitecloud Award Finalist-Best Basic Science Paper, 2011
Nancy Kane Bischoff Award for Teaching, 2006
International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, Sofamor Danek Paper Award, 2006
New York Magazine Top Minimally Invasive Doctor 2002
American Orthopaedic Association, North American Traveling Fellowship
Fellow Scholar Award, Eastern Orthopaedic Association
Spinal Research Award, Eastern Orthopaedic Association
Education
Medical: College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York
Residency: Hospital for Special Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, New York
The Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, General Surgery, New York
Fellowship: University of Miami, Jackson-Memorial Medical Center, Fellow in Spinal Surgery
State Licensure
Languages
English
For My Patients
Publications by Dr. Cammisa
Research
Dr. Cammisa is currently researching:
Computer Assisted Image Guidance
Demineralized Bone Matrix
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
Endoscopic Spinal Surgery
Bone Growth Enhancement
Clinical Trials / Research Studies
- Predicting Clinical and Patient-Centered Outcomes after Surgery for Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
- Prospective, Concurrently Controlled, Multi-Center Study to Evaluate the Safety and Effectiveness of the Spinal KineticsTM M6-C Artificial Cervical Disc Compared to Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)
- A Randomized Controlled Investigation of Post-operative Collar Wear in One- to Two-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) Surgery Patients
- A Randomized Controlled Investigation of Post-operative Hard Cervical Collar Wear in Multilevel Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) Surgery Patients
- Intraoperative Fluid Management During Complex Spine Surgery Using the FloTrac System
- A Randomized Controlled Investigation of Postoperative Pain Following Posterior Iliac Crest Bone Graft Harvesting in Spine Surgery
- A Pilot Study to Obtain Initial Information on Gene Expression in the Human Intervetebral Disc: The Origin and Fate of the Nucleus Pulposus
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.
Below are the healthcare industry relationships reported by Dr. Cammisa as of May 11, 2024.
- 4WEB Medical/4WEB, Inc. - Ownership Interest; Research Support
- Accelus - Consultant; Royalties
- Camber Spine - Research Support
- Centinel Spine, Inc. (Formerly Cell Medica) - Research Support
- HealthPoint Capital Partners, LP - Ownership Interest; Advisory Board
- ISPH 3 Holdings, LLC (related to Integrity Implants) - Ownership Interest
- ISPH II, LLC - Ownership Interest
- Ivy Healthcare Capital Partners, LLC - Ownership Interest
- Joint Effort Administrative Services Organization - Ownership Interest
- Medical Device Partners II, LLC - Board or Committee Member; Ownership Interest
- Medical Device Partners III, LLC (Expanding Innovations) - Ownership Interest
- Orthobond Corporation - Board or Committee Member; Ownership Interest
- Spine Biopharma, LLC - Board or Committee Member; Consultant; Ownership Interest
- Synexis, LLC - Board or Committee Member; Consultant; Ownership Interest
- Tissue Connect Systems, Inc. - Ownership Interest
- Tissue Differentiation Intelligence, LLC - Ownership Interest
- VBVP VI, LLC (Partnership is in Centinel) - Ownership Interest
- VBVP X, LLC (formerly Centinel Spine, Inc.) - Ownership Interest
- Woven Orthopedic Technologies - Board or Committee Member; Ownership Interest
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.
Patients should feel free to ask their HSS physicians questions about these relationships.