Joint replacement surgery continues to evolve as advances in robotics, computer-assisted navigation, implant design and outpatient care improve outcomes for patients with hip, knee and shoulder arthritis.
Across the U.S., orthopedic surgeons are helping drive these innovations through clinical research, surgical technique development, physician education and leadership within the specialty’s most influential organizations.
The following five surgeons stand out for their contributions to joint replacement surgery, their impact on orthopedic research and their role in shaping the future of arthroplasty care.
Editor’s note: This is not a comprehensive or ranked list. Becker’s does not endorse any featured individual. To nominate a physician for a future list, contact seydis@beckershealthcare.com.
- Ormonde Mahoney, MD. Athens (Ga.) Orthopedic Clinic: Dr. Mahoney is an internationally recognized joint replacement surgeon specializing in hip and knee reconstruction. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has performed more than 20,000 hip and knee replacements while helping advance implant design, robotic-assisted surgery and total joint arthroplasty techniques.
The only surgeon from Georgia inducted into the prestigious Knee Society, Dr. Mahoney has published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles, served on the faculty of the Harvard Hip and Knee Reconstruction Course and chaired the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ annual course on knee replacement. He is widely respected for his contributions to joint replacement innovation, research and surgeon education, earning both the Knee Society’s Insall Award and the AAOS Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Antonia Chen, MD. UT Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas): Dr. Chen is chair of the department of orthopedic surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center and president of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. A nationally recognized joint replacement surgeon, she specializes in primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty, partial knee replacement and the management of complex joint replacement infections.
Widely respected for her leadership in arthroplasty research and education, Dr. Chen has published more than 400 peer-reviewed articles and contributed to numerous studies focused on joint replacement outcomes, infection prevention and healthcare disparities. She is also known for advancing outpatient joint replacement strategies and helping shape the future of hip and knee surgery through her leadership roles across AAHKS, the AAOS and several leading orthopedic journals.
- Daniel Berry, MD. Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn.): Dr. Berry is an internationally recognized joint replacement surgeon and director of the Core Center for Clinical Research in Total Joint Arthroplasty at Mayo Clinic. His research focuses on improving the quality, durability and outcomes of hip and knee replacement surgery, with particular expertise in revision arthroplasty, implant performance, infection prevention and complication management.
A past president of the AAOS, the AAHKS and The Hip Society, Dr. Berry has authored more than 300 peer-reviewed publications and helped establish the American Joint Replacement Registry. He is widely respected for his contributions to joint replacement research, orthopedic policy and the advancement of evidence-based arthroplasty care.
- Peter Millett, MD. The Steadman Clinic (Vail, Colo.): Dr. Millett is an internationally recognized orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder surgery, sports medicine and complex joint preservation procedures. Widely known for advancing arthroscopic shoulder surgery, he pioneered the Comprehensive Arthroscopic Management procedure for shoulder arthritis and helped develop innovative rotator cuff repair techniques that are now used worldwide.
A former Boston-based Harvard Medical School faculty member and co-director of the Harvard Shoulder Service, Dr. Millett has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and treated elite athletes from the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, Olympic teams and professional skiing organizations. He is widely respected for his contributions to shoulder reconstruction, sports medicine research and surgeon education, earning recognition among the nation’s top orthopedic specialists.
- David Mayman, MD. Hospital for Special Surgery (New York City): Dr. Mayman is chief of the Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Service at Hospital for Special Surgery and one of the nation’s leading experts in robotic-assisted and computer-navigated hip and knee replacement surgery. Widely recognized for advancing precision joint replacement, his work focuses on integrating robotics, computer-assisted technologies and personalized surgical planning to improve outcomes for patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty.
A member of the prestigious Hip Society and Knee Society, Dr. Mayman is also known for his translational research efforts that bring emerging technologies from the laboratory into clinical practice. He specializes in primary and revision joint replacement, minimally invasive hip and knee surgery, partial knee replacement and the treatment of arthritis in younger, active patients, helping shape the future of technology-driven joint reconstruction.
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