HSS Sports Medicine in the News

A preclinical study by HSS investigators found that earlier anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction led to lower immune cell activity, less inflammation and fewer joint changes associated with knee osteoarthritis compared to delayed surgery. The research team shared their study results today in a poster presentation at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2025 Annual Meeting. 

After a knee injury, such as an ACL tear or rupture, immune cells travel to lymph nodes, where they interact with other cells that support and regulate inflammatory responses in the joint. This activity plays a critical role in healing, but prolonged immune cell activity and inflammation can promote osteoarthritis. 

“Orthopedic surgeons actively debate the optimal timing of ACL reconstruction after an ACL injury,” says senior study author Scott Rodeo, MD, Vice Chair of Orthopaedic Research, co-director of the Orthopaedic Soft Tissue Research Program, and director of the Center for Regenerative Medicine at HSS. “The original thought for delaying surgery was to let inflammation resolve since operating on a highly inflamed knee can lead to postoperative stiffness, but how long to wait has been unclear.” 

Dr. Rodeo and the HSS research team, including Theresa T. Lu, MD, PhD, St. Giles Chair for Research in the HSS Research Institute and pediatric rheumatologist, investigated the timing question in preclinical models of ACL reconstruction. In total, 16 models underwent immediate reconstruction after ACL rupture, 16 underwent surgery a week after injury, and 16 had no surgery. After four weeks, the researchers used advanced techniques to identify and measure the number of immune cells present in the spleen and iliac lymph nodes that drain from the knee. 

The researchers observed an increase in several immune cell populations in the two surgical groups compared to the no-surgery group. Immune cell counts were significantly higher in the group that had delayed surgery compared to the group that underwent immediate surgery. 

The investigators also assessed cartilage changes associated with osteoarthritis in the preclinical models. The group that had delayed surgery showed more severe and extensive signs of cartilage destruction than the group that had immediate surgery. 

“Overall, our preclinical study suggests that immediate ACL reconstruction may lower the risk of developing knee arthritis, tying in with existing studies showing that chronic, unresolved inflammation leads to progressive arthritis after knee injury,” Dr. Rodeo says. “These results inform ongoing human studies at HSS in which we are evaluating the optimal timing of surgery and other factors that affect the role of immune cells and inflammatory responses in ligament healing. In these studies, we are evaluating changes in immune cells and inflammation in lymph nodes using magnetic resonance imaging, joint fluids and blood.” 

Authors: Thomas M. Li, MD, Julia Retzky, MD, Camila Carballo, PhD, PT, Jihyun Sim, Lauren E. Simonian, BS, Mohammed Hammad, MD, Yuki Okazaki, MD, PhD, Claire Eliasberg, MD, Theresa T. Lu, MD, PhD, Scott A. Rodeo, MD, FAAOS. 

Reference: 
1 Li TM, Retzky J, Carballo C, Sim J, Simonian LE, Hammad M, Okazaki Y, Eliasberg C, Lu TT, Rodeo SA. Early anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in a murine model is associated with reduced local lymph node responses. Accessed February 10, 2025 at 
https://submissions.mirasmart.com/AAOS2025/Itinerary/PresentationDetail.aspx?evdid=428 
 

Becker's Spine Review featuring David M. Dines, MD

ESPN featuring Charlton Stucken, MD

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 2025 Annual Meeting

Hospital for Special Surgery and HSS Long Island extend warm congratulations to sports medicine surgeon David M. Dines, MD, on his Lifetime Achievement Award from Long Island Business News (LIBN). Dr. Dines received the honor at the publication’s Health Care Heroes award ceremony in Woodbury, Long Island on February 28. The awards “recognize excellence, promote innovation and honor the efforts of organizations and individuals making a significant impact on the quality of health care” in the region, according to LIBN.

“It is an honor to receive the Health Care Heroes Lifetime Achievement Award. It has special meaning for me, as it recognizes my accomplishments in improving orthopedic care for people on Long Island and my work in educating many orthopedic surgeons now practicing here,” Dr. Dines said. “It represents a wonderful affirmation that I've been able to make a difference in the lives of many Long Islanders over the years.”

Over his 45-year career, Dr. Dines earned a reputation as a skilled and meticulous orthopedic surgeon; a brilliant thought leader; and an inspirational mentor to hundreds of medical students, orthopedic residents and fellows. He has provided the highest quality care to thousands of Long Islanders to help them overcome pain and return to active, healthy lifestyles.

Dr. Dines is a member of the Sports Medicine Institute at HSS and sees patients at HSS Long Island in Uniondale. He serves as medical director of the HSS Education Institute and has held the position of co-chief of the highly regarded shoulder fellowship at HSS since 2017. 

Considered one of the foremost authorities in shoulder replacement surgery worldwide, Dr. Dines has pioneered innovative techniques and surgical implants. Known for his work with professional athletes, he has served as medical director of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour since 2000. He was a team physician for the Long Island Ducks baseball team from 2000 to 2020, and for the New York Mets from 1992 to 1996. 

Dr. Dines has received a number of awards over the years. In 2024, the Middle Atlantic Shoulder and Elbow Society honored him with its Lifetime Achievement Award. He continues to conduct research to advance the field of joint replacement surgery.  

Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health, has appointed internationally acclaimed sports medicine surgeon Riley J. Williams III, MD, as Chief of the Sports Medicine Institute (SMI). HSS treats athletes from more than half of all teams in major league baseball, basketball, football and hockey, and is the Official Hospital of teams and leagues including the Brooklyn Nets, New York Football Giants, New York Knicks, New York Mets, and NY Red Bulls.

Effective March 1, Dr. Williams succeeds Andrew D. Pearle, MD, who has led the HSS Sports Medicine Institute since 2019 and will continue his distinguished clinical practice and research activities at HSS.

“We are very grateful for Dr. Pearle’s exceptional leadership over the past six years,” said Douglas E. Padgett, MD, surgeon-in-chief and medical director at HSS. With Dr. Williams at the helm, the SMI will continue to break new ground in clinical care, research and education, helping athletes and active individuals of all abilities return to the activities they love.”

A trailblazer in sports medicine, Dr. Williams specializes in knee, shoulder and elbow surgery, with a focus on knee ligament repair and cartilage reconstruction after sports-related and orthopedic injuries.  He performed the first knee cartilage transplantation in New York at HSS in 1998. He is also a trusted medical expert for elite athletes and professional teams worldwide, serving as Medical Director and Head Team Orthopedic Surgeon for the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, and New York Red Bulls MLS. He also leads the FIFA Medical Center of Excellence at HSS and was recently appointed the New York Chief Venue Medical Officer for the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

“I’m incredibly honored, humbled and excited to step into this new role,” said Dr. Williams, “It is a career milestone, and I owe a deep debt of gratitude to my peers and colleagues for their profound influence over the years.”

Leading a multidisciplinary team of more than 60 clinicians across HSS locations in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and South Florida, Dr. Williams will focus on fostering greater collaboration among sports medicine surgeons and physicians, with the goal of taking patient outcomes, research and education to new heights.

“The HSS Sports Medicine Institute is home to the world’s greatest concentration of talent in the field. Dr. Williams is the right leader for their next chapter,” said Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA, HSS President & CEO. “His passion for performance, recovery and collaborative care will help the future of sports medicine and deliver outstanding results for our patients.”

Dr. Williams attended Yale University and is a graduate of the Stanford University School of Medicine. He then completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery and a fellowship in Sports Medicine and Shoulder surgery at HSS, before starting his practice. Dr. Williams has published over 141 peer-reviewed research papers over his career. With hundreds of invited lectureships and several notable teaching awards over his career, he is widely regarded as a key opinion leader in the field of Sports Medicine.

Dr. Williams is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, the International Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation Society, the Orthopaedic Research Society, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and the NBA Physicians Association.

SELF featuring Gabriella E. Ode, MD, FAAOS, FAOA

Orthopedics Today featuring Aakash K. Shah, BA

City & State New York featuring Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA

Ayoosh Pareek, MD, Becker's Orthopedic Review 

Hospital for Special Surgery, the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health, is pleased to announce the opening of the HSS Wellness Center, a no-cost resource available to all HSS employees.

The 5,400-square-foot facility offers a variety of resources that promote both physical and mental wellbeing, including a strengthening room, fitness classes, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and a multi-sensory recharge room. Employees also have access to warm-up and recovery equipment, a reflecting room with books and games, and private bathrooms with showers.

“We understand the enormous pressures that come with being a healthcare worker,” said Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA, President and CEO of HSS. “Our people are our greatest asset, and we must do everything we can to ensure they know just how valued they are. The HSS Wellness Center was created to show our staff the same exceptional compassion and care they give to our patients every day.”

Chief Wellness and Resiliency Officer at HSS, Steve Forti, has led the design, build, and now the operations of the center. With programming and the hours tailored to meet the diverse needs of the staff, the center will initially operate Monday through Friday to accommodate all shifts, with plans to adjust as necessary to support the staff.  A combat veteran of the U.S. Army Special Forces turned critical care nurse, Forti has dedicated his career to serving others. At HSS, he played a crucial role in supporting the wellness of frontline workers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, earning recognition for his ability to navigate high pressure situations with skill and compassion.

“The philosophy of wellness at HSS has been driven in part by my experience as a Green Beret, but also from the needs identified by the high performing staff, at every level of HSS.  The HSS Wellness Center is the physical embodiment of those lessons learned from both the military and in medicine, to provide the physical and emotional support that allows our staff to perform at its very best.” Forti continued, “The HSS Board of Directors and senior leadership have demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting staff resilience, a dedication that enables us to continue to lead musculoskeletal care worldwide.”

Because each person’s health and wellness needs are unique, the new HSS Wellness Center offers something for everyone. The Strengthening room features premium exercise equipment for instructor-supervised individual workouts, while group classes such as yoga, kickboxing, and HIIT foster a sense of community and connection. The Recovering room will have rehabilitative equipment and physical therapy tables for pre- or post-workout mobility and recovery.

Relaxation, or as Forti insist “down-regulation” is also a major component of the new facility, offering a custom-built recharge room by Studio Elsewhere, hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers, and a reflecting room where employees can read, play games, and unwind.

“Investing in holistic employee resources and amenities like the HSS Wellness Center cultivates a connected and engaged workforce,” said Reginald Odom, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at HSS.

“The new Wellness Center was designed to create a welcoming space where everyone feels comfortable and included,” Odom said. “When employees recognize the value they bring to HSS and beyond, that’s when they truly excel.”

Beckers Orthopedic Review featuring Ayoosh Pareek, MD

Long Island Business News featuring David M. Dines, MD

Becker's Orthopedic Review featuring Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA

Sports Illustrated featuring Samuel A. Taylor, MD

Grand Forks Herald featuring Andrew D. Pearle, MD

SB Nation featuring Ayoosh Pareek, MD

Politics NY and amNewYork featuring Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA

Sports Talk ATL featuring Benedict Nwachukwu, MD, MBA

Sports Illustrated featuring Ayoosh Pareek, MD

The Athletic featuring Tony Wanich, MD

ABC 7 News featuring Benedict Nwachukwu, MD, MBA and Snehal Patel PT, MPT, SCS

Becker's Orthopedic Review featuring Benedict Nwachukwu, MD, MBA,  and Riley J. Williams III, MD. 

The Wall Street Journal featuring Laura Moore, MD, PhD

Orthopedics Today featuring Theodore A. Blaine, MD

Newsday reports on the rise of ACL injuries in young athletes according to Stephen Fealy, MD,  sports medicine surgeon at HSS. 

“Young athletes gain enormous health benefits from participation in team sports, and as sports medicine physicians, we strongly encourage athletic activity. However, we have seen a concerning increase in knee injuries involving the anterior cruciate ligament, commonly called the ACL. Adolescents playing team sports that require cutting maneuvers or a sudden change of direction, such as soccer, basketball, football and lacrosse, are most vulnerable. Research suggests that the risk of non-contact ACL injury can be dramatically reduced through neuromuscular training — the adoption of various exercise and conditioning strategies that improve movement and allow athletes to change speed and direction with greater strength and body control," explained Dr. Fealy. 

The article appeared in the print issue on August 21, 2024.

Healio featuring Frank A. Cordasco, MD, MS

TODAY.com featuring Andrew D. Pearle, MD 

Becker's Orthopedic Review 

Orthopedics Today featuring Lawrence V. Gulotta, MD

Orthopedics Today featuring Gabriella E. Ode, MD

Becker's Hospital Review featuring Answorth A. Allen, MD

Essential Golf featuring Jamie Osmak, CSCS, FRCms, TPI, USGTF, Andrew Paul Creighton, DO, and James F. Wyss, MD, PT

Sports Illustrated featuring Riley J. Williams III

FC Monmouth featuring HSS

Spectrum News featuring Joshua S. Dines, MD

Sports Illustrated.com featuring Theodore A. Blaine, MD

A new study by surgeon-scientists at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) found that 25% of patients with hip impingement who underwent modern arthroscopy for their condition experienced a delay in the natural progression of osteoarthritis. The retrospective study, published online on March 8, 2024, in The American Journal of Sports Medicine, is the first to link hip arthroscopy with a reduced risk of developing hip arthritis over the long term.

“I’m very proud of our team for publishing this work, which validates hip arthroscopy as a longer-term joint-preserving procedure in carefully selected patients,” says Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA, President and CEO of HSS and a world-renowned pioneer in the field of hip arthroscopy who also served as senior author on the study. “At HSS, we focus on providing excellence in clinical care through innovation and evidence-based research. This paper is a prime example of the benefits of advancing innovations in surgical techniques and analyzing patient data collected over many years so we can understand and share the factors associated with optimal results.”

Hip impingement, also called femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), is a condition that typically arises between the teenage years and middle age, and is the underlying cause of hip pain in about 40% of patients in this age range. Hip impingement occurs when the bones of the hip joint are not shaped properly, causing them to rub against one another. Over time, the persistent friction can lead to pain and stiffness, eventually progressing to advanced arthritis. 

Prior studies have shown that 85-90% of patients with hip impingement who undergo modern arthroscopy return to their usual activity level. However, until now, little has been known about whether modern arthroscopy can slow the progression of arthritis in these patients. To explore this connection, investigators examined X-ray images of 200 hips from 100 patients who exhibited signs of impingement in both hips but only underwent arthroscopy for their symptomatic hip between 2010 and 2012. The severity of arthritis in each hip was assessed retrospectively using X-ray images taken before surgery and at least 10 years later. Notably, the researchers were unaware of which hips had undergone surgical correction during the assessment.

The resulting analysis revealed only 28% of operative hips showed an increase in arthritis progression at a minimum of 10 years after surgery in comparison to 48% of nonoperative hips. This difference translated to a relative risk reduction of 42% across all patients. 

While there was no difference in the natural development of arthritis between the operative and nonoperative hips for 70% of patients, one in four, or 25%, had less arthritis in their operative hip compared to their nonoperative hip 10 years later.

“Previous studies by other centers have reported underwhelming 10-year arthroplasty outcomes for patients with hip impingement. However, those studies reported on older surgical indications and older surgical techniques,” explains lead author and former HSS fellow Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA, now an orthopedic surgeon at Long Beach Lakewood Orthopedic Institute, in Long Beach, California. “By contrast, we studied the effect of modern arthroscopic methods by comparing the degree of arthritis in each patient’s operative hip versus their nonoperative hip. Our research design controlled for variables such as age, medical history, lifestyle, and individual mechanics like rotational profile, spinal alignment and gait—leaving history of arthroscopy as the single factor driving any resulting differences in arthritis progression.”

In addition, the investigators identified a small subset of patients whose arthritis progressed more rapidly in the operative hip as compared to the nonoperative hip. Specifically, older age, a higher arthritis grade, an alpha angle greater than 65 degrees and evidence of borderline hip dysplasia before surgery were the primary risk factors associated with the 5% of hip impingement patients whose arthritis in the operative hip worsened more quickly after surgery.

“We can now identify patients most likely to benefit from arthroscopy for hip impingement and inform patients about their anticipated odds of successful outcomes based on their personal risk factors. For ideal candidates, the evidence shows that hip arthroscopy may delay or prevent arthritis for one in four patients. That’s very powerful information,” says Danyal H. Nawabi, MD, FRCS, an HSS orthopedic surgeon and an author on the study.

Dr. Nawabi also points to the importance of the modern techniques used to care for patients in the study, all of whom were patients of Dr. Kelly. These methods include labrum repair, removal of bony abnormalities on the ball and socket, and proper closure of the joint capsule enveloping the hip joint. “This study is a testament to the fact that where you go for orthopedic care truly matters,” he adds.

Thus far, the paper has garnered two awards: the 2024 American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine Fellow Research Award for Clinical Science, which will be presented at the AOSSM Annual Meeting in July, as well as the Philip D. Wilson, MD, Award, presented by HSS in honor of the hospital’s fifth Surgeon-in-Chief to a fellow who has demonstrated excellence in orthopedic surgery research.

The Athletic featuring Joshua S. Dines, MD 

The Associated Press featuring David W. Altchek, MD

No Volleys featuring Joshua S. Dines, MD, and Carl M. Cirino, MD 

The NFL Physicians Society featuring  Scott Rodeo, MD

HSS Florida, part of world leader in orthopedics Hospital for Special Surgery, has appointed experienced executive and Registered Nurse Heather Woolf as Vice President and senior administrator for its teams and facilities in Palm Beach County.  Previously, Woolf served in leadership roles at healthcare institutions in Stuart, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, and as Chief Operating Officer for a physician network spanning more than 100 locations in Florida and South Carolina.  Woolf starts in the new role on March 18, reporting to HSS Florida CEO Tara McCoy and partnering closely with Co-Medical Directors Nicholas Sama, MD, and Ryan Simovitch, MD, sports medicine surgeon. 

Founded in 1863 and headquartered in New York City, HSS is the world’s leading academic medical system specialized in musculoskeletal health.  HSS has been ranked no. 1 in orthopedics worldwide for the past four years by Newsweek, and nationwide since 2010 by US News & World Report.  Before the opening of HSS West Palm Beach in 2020, thousands of Florida residents traveled each year for care at the HSS main campus in New York City.  

Ms. Woolf earned her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration at Florida Atlantic University.  She is a past member of the Executive Leadership Board of the Extraordinary Women Leading Change Conference in Fort Lauderdale.  A Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, Ms. Woolf is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the Florida Association of Nursing (FNA), and the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ). 

“In Heather, we have found a leader uniquely qualified and committed to advancing a care facility unlike any other in the region to ensure we deliver the full benefit of more than 160 years of specialization,” said Ms. McCoy.  “We are focused on helping people get back to what they need and love to do better than any other place in the world – right here in West Palm Beach.” 

Among the region’s most highly regarded orthopedic surgeons for more than a decade, HSS West Palm Beach co-medical directors Sama and Simovitch, in a joint statement, described Woolf’s appointment as a milestone in increasing access to higher quality care: “Meeting the high demand for HSS quality care in our home state requires not only the world class clinical team we are building, but also the excellence in operations that Heather can help us continue to expand.”    

Ms. Woolf said her 25 years of experience in healthcare gives her a special sense of responsibility and opportunity in joining HSS, the only hospital in North America designated by the World Economic Forum as a member of the Global Coalition for Value in Healthcare. 

“The more one knows about orthopedics, the more one understands the quality and innovation difference that HSS represents,” said Ms. Woolf.  “In Palm Beach County HSS is perfectly positioned at the intersection of the world’s best quality of life, and the world’s leading cause of disability: musculoskeletal conditions.” 

“I am honored to join the best in the world in making the highest quality of care and experience more accessible to the community I have called home for nearly 20 years.”  

Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA, Douglas E. Padgett, MD, Jose A. Rodriguez, MD

Becker's Spine featuring Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA, Andrew A. Sama, MD, David J. Mayman, MD, Daniel W. Green, MD, MS, FAAP, FACS

Nature featuring Scott Rodeo, MD 

The New York Giants report on the 2023 Heart of a Giant Award recipient, Eduardo Recinos. 

From winning championships to setting records, football can be rewarding in many ways. But the impact of the game goes far beyond the field, inspiring lives in countless ways.

That is at the core of USA Football's Heart of a Giant Award, presented annually by the New York Giants and HSS. It recognizes 60 high school athletes in the Tri-State area who embody the spirit of the game through five qualities: commitment, character, teamwork, dedication and will. After a community voting process, 11 honorees are selected to the Heart of a Giant Team, with an overall Heart of a Giant winner being honored.

This year's award winner is Eduardo Recinos, a junior at Putnam Valley High School in New York.

Recinos, who is the first non-athlete to receive the award, is the team manager for the Putnam Valley High School football program. Recinos has been diagnosed with Spastic Cerebral Palsy. This makes it difficult for him to walk and coordinate gross motor movements in some instances, but he never lets that hold him back.

Initially unable to walk, Eduardo has gone through numerous surgeries and rehabilitation. He has faced every challenge with a unique and joyful determination, and is now able to walk on his own, often with a football in hand. Recinos had wanted to be part of the team for a few years and finally asked to be the team manager this season. Recinos has fully committed himself to the team, attending every practice, game, and team event, and making his presence felt through his contributions and love of the game.

Read the full article at giants.com. 

MLB featuring David W. Altchek, MD

Greenwich Sentinel featuring Carl M. Cirino, MD

NBA.com featuring David W. Altchek, MD