HSS Extends Record-Breaking Streak with 17th Consecutive No. 1 Orthopedics Ranking in U.S. News & World Report
Key Insights
Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) earned the No. 1 ranking in orthopedics for a record-setting 17th consecutive year in the U.S. News & World Report 2026-2027 Best Hospitals: Specialty Rankings.
HSS also ranked No. 3 nationally in rheumatology, reinforcing its position as the world's leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health.
U.S. News evaluated nearly 4,500 hospitals across 14 specialties, assessing patient outcomes, nursing care, patient experience, and available technology including computer-assisted orthopedic surgery.
Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) has once again secured the No. 1 ranking in orthopedics in the U.S. News & World Report 2026-2027 Best Hospitals: Specialty Rankings, marking a record-setting 17th consecutive year at the top. The New York-based institution also earned the No. 3 national ranking in rheumatology, further cementing its reputation as the world's leading academic medical center specializing in musculoskeletal health.
The U.S. News evaluation assessed nearly 4,500 hospitals across 14 specialties, with performance measured through multiple dimensions including patient outcomes, level of nursing care, patient-reported experience, and available technology such as computer-assisted orthopedic surgery. The methodology incorporated data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, professional organizations, and medical specialists.
"We are proud to once again be recognized as a leader in orthopedics and rheumatology," said Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA, President and CEO of HSS. "This distinction reflects the extraordinary expertise, dedication, and collaboration of the entire HSS team. For patients across the New York metropolitan region, it is also a powerful validation that the best orthopedic care in the country is available right here in their community."
Dr. Kelly emphasized the institution's mission-driven approach, noting that through comprehensive musculoskeletal care, HSS helps "patients preserve mobility, enhance their quality of life, and extend their healthspan so they can continue doing what they need and love to do."
A Global Destination for Musculoskeletal Care
HSS draws patients from all 50 states and more than 100 countries, serving individuals with both common and complex medical conditions as well as those requiring challenging surgeries that demand highly specialized care. The institution brings together world-renowned physicians, advanced treatment approaches, and multidisciplinary teams dedicated to delivering personalized, evidence-based care for patients of all ages and activity levels.
Douglas E. Padgett, MD, surgeon-in-chief and medical director of HSS, underscored the significance of patient trust. "Perhaps the greatest measure of our impact is the trust of patients who travel to HSS from across the country and around the world seeking care have placed in us," Dr. Padgett said. "This distinction reflects our dedication to achieving exceptional outcomes and our belief that preserving movement is the foundation of longevity and quality of life."
Rheumatology Excellence and Innovation
The No. 3 rheumatology ranking highlights HSS's strength in treating complex autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Anca D. Askanase, MD, MPH, Chair of the Department of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Rheumatology at HSS, attributed the recognition to the institution's research-driven approach. "Through groundbreaking research, advanced therapies, and highly personalized care, we are helping to transform the lives of patients living with complex autoimmune and inflammatory diseases," Dr. Askanase said.
Joel Press, MD, Physiatrist-in-Chief at HSS, pointed to the accelerating pace of discovery in musculoskeletal medicine. "Advances in artificial intelligence, data science, and precision medicine are helping researchers uncover new insights faster and translate those discoveries into more effective, personalized care," Dr. Press noted. "With HSS's singular focus on musculoskeletal health and unmatched depth of clinical expertise, we are uniquely positioned to turn innovation into meaningful improvements in outcomes for patients everywhere."
Clinical Volume and Quality Metrics
In 2025, HSS clinicians and surgeons provided specialized care to more than 258,016 patients with orthopedic or rheumatologic conditions, including pain or injury to the back, neck, or joints; osteoarthritis (search); rheumatoid arthritis (search); lupus (search); scleroderma (search); and psoriatic arthritis (search). The institution performed more than 45,864 orthopedic surgical procedures during the same year.
HSS maintains among the lowest hospital readmission rates for orthopedics in the nation, and among the lowest rates for infection and complications. The hospital is also the world's most awarded hospital in orthopedics by Newsweek each year since the "World's Best Specialized Hospitals" survey was introduced in 2020.
HSS serves as the official hospital for more than 25 high-performing sports teams and leagues, including the New York Giants, New York Knicks, New York Liberty, Brooklyn Nets, New York Mets, and New York Red Bulls, among others. It is also designated a Medical Center of Excellence by FIFA.