In this role, Dr. Press will help shape the future of non-operative musculoskeletal care across  HSS – supporting regional expansion, optimizing practice operations, enhancing access and the patient experience across all sites of care, and overseeing a diverse portfolio of clinical programs.

Dr. Press will report to Douglas E. Padgett, MD, Surgeon-in-Chief and Medical Director at HSS, and will work closely with Associate Surgeon-in-Chiefs Drs. Answorth Allen and Mathias Bostrom, as well as department and service leaders, to advance and integrate non-operative musculoskeletal care across the institution. He will also have a central leadership role in institutional initiatives focused on quality, safety, innovation, and strategic growth.

“Dr. Press has made significant contributions to the advancement of musculoskeletal medicine and is one of the most highly regarded physiatrists in the diagnosis and management of non-operative sports and spine conditions,” said Bryan Kelly, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of HSS. “His leadership will play a pivotal role in advancing HSS’s mission to expand access to high-quality non-operative care, deepen physician engagement, and drive innovation in musculoskeletal health.”

Dr. Press is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation. He brings decades of experience building and leading high-performing, multidisciplinary musculoskeletal programs and is widely respected for his collaborative leadership style and commitment to advancing value-based, patient-centered care.

“Dr. Press will be a strong asset to our executive team as we work to shape HSS’s next chapter—one defined by expanded access, integrated care, clinical innovation, and enduring leadership in musculoskeletal health,” said Douglas E. Padgett, MD, Surgeon-in-Chief and Medical Director at HSS.

Dr. Press is currently Physiatrist-in-Chief at HSS and Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. He has built a distinguished clinical and leadership career in musculoskeletal care, including his prior role as founder and director of the Spine and Sports Rehabilitation Centers at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

A prolific scholar and educator, Dr. Press has authored more than 75 peer-reviewed publications, edited multiple textbooks, and has held national leadership roles across major professional societies in musculoskeletal medicine, rehabilitation, and sports medicine. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency at Northwestern University.

For 25 years, Dr. Press has been consistently named among the best doctors in the country by Castle Connolly.

“I am honored to serve as Physician-in-Chief at HSS during such a pivotal moment in the evolution of musculoskeletal care,” said Dr. Press. “I look forward to partnering with my colleagues to build on HSS’s extraordinary legacy and help shape what comes next not just at HSS but within the field of musculoskeletal health at large.”

Psychological impairment following ACL reconstruction has long been recognized as a factor influencing an athlete’s ability to safely resume sport. Roughly one in three patients who undergo ACL reconstruction sustain a second ACL injury. While tools such as the ACL Return to Sports After Injury (ACL‑RSI) questionnaire are commonly used to gauge psychological readiness—including emotion, confidence, and risk appraisal—their relationship to actual re‑injury risk has not been well understood.

“We know that ACL injuries are not just physical—they have a profound psychological component,” said Riley J. Williams, MD, sports medicine surgeon and Chief of the Sports Medicine Institute at HSS. “What this research shows is that confidence can sometimes outpace true physical readiness. Athletes may feel mentally prepared to return before their bodies are fully capable of withstanding the demands of sport. That disconnect can increase their risk for re‑injury.”

The study compared ACL‑RSI scores between patients who sustained a second ACL injury and those who returned to sport without further injury.

A total of 58 athletes participated in the study (24 males, 34 females; mean age 23.5 ± 9.6). Of these, 21 athletes experienced a second ACL injury following their return to sport. All subjects completed return‑to‑sport testing at nine months post‑operation (±1 month) and filled out the ACL‑RSI questionnaire prior to physical testing.

Researchers tracked re‑injuries on both the operative (n=4) and non‑operative (n=17) sides. A matched control group was created based on age, sex, and graft type. Independent samples t‑tests were conducted to evaluate differences in ACL‑RSI scores between the groups.

“Our findings challenge the assumption that higher psychological readiness is always a positive indicator for return to sport,” said Letty Krueger, PT, DPT, lead researcher and rehabilitation clinical manager at HSS Westchester. “In this study, athletes who reported the greatest confidence were actually the ones at higher risk for re‑injury. This underscores the need to evaluate readiness through a combined lens of physical performance, psychological state, and clinical data—rather than relying on self‑report scores alone.”

Athletes who sustained a second ACL injury had significantly higher psychological readiness scores compared to those who did not:

• Re‑injury group: 86.8 ± 11.2
• Uninjured group: 75.5 ± 17.3
• p = .02

At nine months post‑operation, athletes who later experienced ACL re‑injury reported significantly greater psychological readiness than those who returned to play without further injury. These findings suggest that elevated confidence—while often viewed as a positive marker—may not reflect true readiness for the physical demands of sport and may be associated with increased re‑injury risk.

The study underscores the importance of a biopsychosocial approach, integrating psychological factors with objective physical and clinical measures when determining an athlete’s readiness to return to sport. Researchers note that while higher ACL‑RSI scores are associated with higher return‑to‑sport rates, this increased exposure may also contribute to elevated re‑injury risk.

“Contrary to expectations, athletes who felt more confident and emotionally ready to return to sport were more likely to suffer re‑injury,” said Answorth Allen, MD, sports medicine surgeon and associate surgeon‑in‑chief at HSS. “This research reinforces the importance of evidence‑based, multidimensional return‑to‑sport protocols. By integrating psychological screening with strength, functional, and biomechanical testing, we can make smarter, safer decisions that protect athletes and enhance long‑term outcomes.”

The findings indicate that psychological readiness scores—even when favorable—should not be used as a standalone metric for return‑to‑sport clearance. Elevated self‑reported confidence may mask underlying physical or functional deficits, potentially placing athletes at greater risk. Clinicians and sports medicine professionals should interpret psychological measures within the broader context of recovery, emphasizing functional testing and physical preparedness.

Further research is needed to explore how psychological factors interact with physical recovery in influencing return‑to‑sport outcomes and susceptibility to future ACL injuries.

For more information about the study visit: Psychological Readiness after Aclr in Subjects with Subsequent Re-Injury Compared to Matched Controls

Letty Krueger, PT, DPT, Michelle Cilenti, PT, DPT, Debi Lynn Jones, PT, Robert G Marx, MD, MSc, Answorth A Allen and Riley J Willams  

Dr. Mayman will succeed Mathias P. Bostrom, MD, who, along with sports medicine surgeon Answorth A. Allen, MD, was recently appointed Associate Surgeon-in-Chief at HSS after serving as ARJR chief for the past four years. Dr. Green will succeed Roger F. Widmann, MD, who has led the Pediatric Surgical Service since 2004. Dr. Widmann will continue to care for pediatric patients with spine and limb deformities and will lead a new center of excellence dedicated to robotic-assisted surgery at HSS. Both appointments will go into effect September 5.

“We are grateful to Drs. Bostrom and Widmann for their steadfast leadership over the years,” said Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA, president, surgeon-in-chief and medical director of HSS. “Drs. Mayman and Green are not only talented surgeons, they are collaborative leaders who bring a wealth of expertise and experience to their new roles. These appointments will allow us to continue to advance excellence for our joint replacement and pediatric surgical patients.”

In their new roles, Drs. Mayman and Green will each lead highly integrated multidisciplinary teams. The ARJR service is comprised of programs focused on hip and knee osteoarthritis and other problems requiring joint replacement in adults, while Pediatrics covers the spectrum of conditions requiring orthopedic surgery in children, ranging from sports medicine injuries and trauma to congenital issues of the spine and hip.

David Mayman

David J. Mayman, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacements. A member of the Hip and Knee Societies, Dr. Mayman is a leader in the field of robotic and navigated joint replacement surgery. His primary research interest lies in incorporating new technologies into arthroplasty, with the goal of achieving more favorable outcomes for patients.

“I’m honored to take on this new role, leading and collaborating with a deeply talented team of surgeons in order to deliver scientific breakthroughs and address joint pain challenges,” said Dr. Mayman. “HSS is recognized as the leader in joint replacement, and by harnessing the power of our musculoskeletal expertise, we will advance the overall health and wellness of generations to come.” 

Daniel Green

Daniel W. Green, MD, MS, is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee surgery.

A holder of the Mary Kathryn and Alexander Navab Chair for Pediatric Orthopedic Research at HSS, Dr. Green’s clinical research has focused on surgical outcomes and techniques used to treat patella dislocation, osteochondritis dissecans, discoid meniscus and pediatric ACL tears.

“I am honored to be asked to represent such a talented group of pediatric orthopedic surgeon leaders dedicated to taking care of children at the hospital ranked no. 1 in the world for orthopedics,” said Dr. Green. “We are positioned to maintain our leadership position as national and international thought leaders and dedicated to increasing access to our care.”

“HSS is home to an unparalleled number of talented and knowledgeable experts who specialize in caring for patients with various conditions throughout the lifespan,” said Louis A. Shapiro, CEO of HSS. “These appointments highlight the depth of leadership and experience across each area of the organization.”
 

Drs. Kelly, Padgett, Allen, and Bostrom will work within a new leadership structure, together with Physician-in-Chief S. Louis Bridges, MD, PhD, to support and ensure the highest standards in patient care, research, education,innovation, compliance, and quality control are upheld as HSS expands. Additionally, they will identify and support emerging initiatives focused on injury prevention, non-surgical and surgical care.

"Leading the world’s greatest concentration of medical talent in our field at this moment of unprecedented need and opportunity is a special responsibility and privilege," said Dr. Kelly. "Under Dr. Padgett’s leadership, Dr. Allen and Dr. Bostrom will help ensure HSS remains the best place in the world for patients to receive the care we provide, and the best place in the world for the most gifted medical providers to realize their potential."  

Specialized in orthopedics, rheumatology and related disciplines since 1863, HSS is today a world leader in research, innovation, and education.  It has been ranked no. 1 in orthopedics worldwide by Newsweek for the past three years, and nationwide by U.S. News & World Report for the past 14 years. US News & World Report also ranks HSS no. 2 in the nation for Rheumatology and a Best Hospital for Pediatric Orthopedics. 

In 2022, HSS provided care to 200,000 patients from all 50 states and 80 countries and performed more than 38,000 surgical procedures.  It provides continuing clinical education to more than 27,000 medical specialists in 165 countries.

"The success of an organization is connected to the strength and values of its leadership,” said Dr. Padgett, who was appointed the first Associate Surgeon-in-Chief and Deputy Medical Director at HSS in 2019. “I am honored to work alongside Answorth and Mathias, who are uniquely qualified to help further our mission and ensure we continue to provide the highest quality musculoskeletal care to all our patients.” 

Answorth A. Allen, MD

Dr. Allen, the medical director for HSS West Side, is a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder, knee, and elbow surgery, as well as a Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC). He earned his medical degree from WCMC, completed residency programs at The New York Orthopaedic Hospital and Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and did a fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. He has authored over 150 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on shoulder, knee, and elbow conditions.

“I am honored to be joining the medical leadership team at HSS, which is committed to delivering best-in-class healthcare experiences,” said Dr. Allen. “HSS has and will continue to grow exponentially, and I look forward to assisting in the next phase of advancement and excellence.” Dr. Allen will succeed Dr. Padgett as Deputy Medical Director.  

Dr. Allen is the team orthopedist for the New York Knicks professional men’s basketball team and an orthopedic consultant for the West Indies Cricket Board of Control. Previously, he has served as an assistant team physician for both the New York Saints lacrosse team and the New York State Racing Association; a staff physician for the New York State Athletic Commission and the Hunter Mountain Ski Sports Center; and an assistant team physician for the University of Pittsburgh and assistant company physician for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.

Mathias P. Bostrom, MD

In 2019, Dr. Bostrom was appointed chief of adult reconstruction and joint replacement at HSS, succeeding Dr. Padgett. He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications, been the principal investigator of NIH-funded research, and served as director of HSS Education and Academic Affairs since 2003. He has led the HSS Fellowship Program from 2002 to 2019 and its nationally top-ranked Residency Program from 2005 to 2019 and served as chief of the HSS Hip Service from 2014 to 2019.

“HSS is known for providing comprehensive and collaborative care to all our patients, and I am committed to building upon that legacy,” said Dr. Bostrom, who in addition to becoming Associate Surgeon-in-Chief will be appointed Director of Quality and Safety. “I am also grateful for this leadership opportunity, and I am excited to work alongside talented and remarkable teams to advance the field of musculoskeletal health.”

Dr. Bostrom specializes in hip and knee surgery, including complex reconstructions and treatment of musculoskeletal infections. A graduate of the University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins, he completed his residency and two fellowships at HSS before joining the faculty in 1996. Dr. Bostrom currently practices at the HSS main campus in New York City and sees patients at HSS Westchester. Dr. Bostrom is a member of the Hip Society, the Orthopaedic Research Society, and the International Society for Fracture Repair.

Drs. Allen and Bostrom will assume their new roles in the HSS Office of Medical Leadership on September 5, 2023.

“The leadership team have demonstrated outstanding stewardship qualities, and their concentration in executing key health and operational initiatives will continue to advance HSS as a recognized global leader in the healthcare market,” said Shapiro. “It’s an exciting time at HSS as leadership advances our Purpose: to help people get back to what they need and love to do, better than any other place in the world.”

Reconstruction is the current standard of care surgical treatment for tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This procedure typically uses a graft, or a piece of tissue, placed in the knee minimally invasively, using small incisions. About 300,000 ACL reconstructions are performed annually in the United States with well documented rates of success.

ACL repair is an older technique that involved suturing (sewing) torn ACL tissue, not rebuilding it with a graft. ACL repair was performed in the 1970s at select institutions, including Hospital for Special Surgery, but was abandoned due to unacceptably high failure rates of up to 50%.

Today, ACL repair has been modernized and can be performed through a minimally invasive approach. Proponents suggest that modern ACL repair techniques may be performed safely and may lead to a quicker recovery than ACL reconstruction. However, the limited studies to date raise questions that must be discussed in detail with your surgeon.

1. It is critically important to get ACL surgery right the first time.

When ACL surgery fails, surgeons must do a revision procedure to correct or revise the problems that were not fully addressed the first time. Revision requires reconstructive ACL surgery with a graft. (ACL repairs cannot be done as revisions.) Redoing ACL surgery may result in higher rates of failure, lower rates of return to sports, and increased risk of osteoarthritis.

The importance of successful initial ACL surgery holds true for people of all ages, but it is particularly critical for young athletes, for whom a failed surgery can have devastating consequences, including years lost from sport in the short term as well as chronic pain and loss of function in the long term.

2. Failure rates for ACL repair appear to be significantly higher than those for ACL reconstruction in people of all ages.

Current studies suggest that modern ACL repair techniques have a failure rate that may be five to ten times higher than that of ACL reconstruction^1,2,3. One major recent study in a prominent sports medicine journal found that arthroscopic ACL repair has unacceptable outcomes in young athletes, with short-term failure rates of close to 50%².

It has been suggested that ACL repair may be appropriate for older adults who have a type of ACL tear called a proximal avulsion and who do not participate in “cutting and pivoting” sports such as basketball, volleyball, and soccer. For these patients, failure rates in the short term appear to be much higher than ACL reconstruction in this age group^1,2,3.

3. There is still much we don’t know about ACL repair.

There has been no scientific evidence that shows a difference in postoperative pain between ACL repair and reconstruction. Rehabilitation and return-to-play protocols for ACL repair have not yet been established. Proper guidelines for rehabilitation and return to sports are essential to keep people safe from re-injury.
 

Andrew D. Pearle, MD

Chief, HSS Sports Medicine Institute

Bryan T. Kelly, MD

HSS Surgeon-in-Chief and Medical Director

Answorth A. Allen, MD

David W. Altchek, MD

Struan H. Coleman, MD, PhD

Frank A. Cordasco, MD, MS

David M. Dines, MD

Joshua S. Dines, MD

Stephen Fealy, MD

Andreas H. Gomoll, MD

Lawrence V. Gulotta, MD

Jo A. Hannafin, MD, PhD

Anne M. Kelly, MD

John D. MacGillivray, MD

Robert G. Marx, MD, MSc, FRCSC

Michael J. Maynard, MD

Moira M. McCarthy, MD

Danyal H. Nawabi, MD, FRCS

Stephen J. O’Brien, MD, MBA

Anil S. Ranawat, MD

Scott A. Rodeo, MD

Howard Anthony Rose, MD

Beth E. Shubin Stein, MD

Sabrina M. Strickland, MD

Karen M. Sutton, MD

Samuel A. Taylor, MD

Russell F. Warren, MD

Thomas L. Wickiewicz, MD

Riley J. Williams III, MD

References

1. Jonkergouw A, van der List J, DiFelice G. Arthroscopic primary repair of proximal ACL tears: outcomes of the first 56 consecutive patients and the role of additional internal bracing. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2019 Jan;27(1):21-28.

2. Gagliardi AG, Carry PM, Parikh HB, Traver JL, Howell DR, Albright JC. ACL repair with suture ligament augmentation is associated with a high failure rate among adolescent patients. Am J Sports Med. 2019 Mar;47(3):560-566.

3. Wright RW et al. Risk of tearing the intact ACL in the contralateral knee and rupturing the ACL graft during the first 2 years after ACLR: A prospective MOON cohort study. Am J Sports Med. 2007 Jul;35(7):1131-4.

For more information visit https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_torn-acl.asp.

The goals of the study, which is now enrolling patients, is to find biomarkers correlated with the development of osteoarthritis of the joint after surgery to fix traumatic tears of the meniscus. This horseshoe-shaped layer of cartilage cushions the bones of the knee during weight-bearing activities like running and jumping.

More than one million Americans annually undergo meniscal surgery, making it among the most common orthopedic procedures performed in the United States. The injuries generally occur in young athletes who experience violent trauma to the knee, although older people can suffer them without such trauma, as well. However, patients who undergo the procedure often develop osteoarthritis of the joint—a painful, degenerative condition that to date has no cure or particularly effective treatment.

"The bottom line is, this is a very common orthopedic surgery and the results are not very good," said David W. Altchek, MD, sports medicine surgeon and co-chief emeritus of HSS Sports Medicine, and medical director for the New York Mets. "It seems like the surgery makes a small number of people better, some have an indifferent response and, unfortunately, a significant number of people get worse."

"We don’t really know much about the biology of how the meniscus heals. We kind of let pain be the guide," added Christopher Mendias, PhD, ATC, associate scientist at HSS, who is helping conduct the study. "We want to be able to say, 'Is it healing well, and is there a correlation between doing poorly clinically and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers or that we can detect with advanced imaging?'"

The HSS study will have several components. Drs. Altchek, Mendias and their colleagues will take samples of synovial fluid--a viscous substance that lubricates joints--from 28 patients (14 men and 14 women) aged 18 to 45 undergoing a procedure called partial meniscectomy in which surgeons shave away frayed pieces of the cartilage. Those samples will be screened for the presence of proteins associated with inflammation, molecules such as interleukin 1 beta, which is known to play a role in osteoarthritis, as well as other previously unidentified substances.

The researchers also will use an advanced form of magnetic resonance imaging to track meniscal healing over time, and will match that information with the biomarker activity to look for patterns of protein activity that predict either successful healing or poor outcomes.  

"This whole idea of precision medicine is just kind of catching on in orthopedics now," Dr. Mendias said. Ideally, a biomarker panel could help surgeons determine which patients will be most likely to benefit from particular meniscal procedures, and what kind of rehabilitation--and even prehabilitation--routine they should undergo. "It could also help us identify therapies to block those inflammatory molecules and reduce the risks of osteoarthritis later in life," he said.

"The hypothesis is that there is a degenerative effect afterward, as a result of the injury or the surgery, or both—and that biologic therapy might slow that down," Dr. Altchek said. He added that there is "a tremendous amount of excitement" in the field of orthopedics about new biologic therapies, including platelet rich plasma and stem cells, that are now being used to treat tendon injuries and certain other ailments. Whether they might work to treat or even prevent the development of osteoarthritis after knee surgery is unclear. "This project is an important step in the direction" of answering that question, he said.

Scott A. Rodeo, MD, sports medicine surgeon, co-chief emeritus of HSS Sports Medicine, and co-director of the Tissue Engineering, Regeneration, and Repair Program, will be contributing patients to the study.

"A common clinical observation is that there is tremendous variability in the rate and risk of progressive degenerative changes in patients undergoing surgery for meniscus injury," said Dr. Rodeo, who also is head team physician for the New York Giants. "Some patients will do well for decades with no further problems, while there is a subset of patients who develop relatively rapid progression of degenerative changes. In addition to biomechanical factors, it is likely that the ‘biologic milieu’ in the joint is a major factor accounting for these discrepant outcomes. In this study we will characterize inflammatory mediators, matrix degrading enzymes, and a host of other cytokines that likely play an important role in joint homeostasis. Such information will not only help us gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanism of joint degeneration in patients with meniscus injury, but, importantly, may suggest therapeutic targets to allow development of innovative treatments."

Other HSS physicians involved include HSS sports medicine surgeons Answorth A. Allen, MD, New York Knicks team physician; and Riley J. Williams III, MD, medical director of the Brooklyn Nets.

If you have a meniscus tear and are interested in the study, or would like to serve as a healthy control subject, please contact Daniel Edon (edond@hss.edu).

Lisa R. Callahan, MD, primary care sports medicine physician at HSS and Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Player Care at Madison Square Garden Sports, said "one of the things that we like to do is take every player and assess them from a lot of different angles. We really try to create programs that will protect players from those common injuries."

"The Knicks have a very sophisticated data collection system. It is customized to the individual," said Answorth A. Allen, MD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS and team physician for the New York Knicks.

"We actually talk about the NBA season as a marathon because they play 82 games during the season," added Dr. Callahan. She stressed that the trainers and therapists are invaluable in maintaining a player's strength during the season.

Watch the full video at msgnetworks.com

"Once you engage with someone who's hurt, it really is a relationship. You're never alone, you're part of something bigger than yourself," said Answorth A. Allen, MD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS and Team Physician for the New York Knicks.

Lisa R. Callahan, MD, primary care sports medicine physician at HSS and Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Player Care at Madison Square Garden Sports, said "when a player's injured, it's not just about getting that player back on the court as fast as you can, it's… also to be sure that they're really healthy and ready to perform."

Dr. Allen shared that the relationships built between himself and his patients are one of the beautiful things he enjoys about medicine. "It's very intimate, it's very personal. When that person has achieved their goal, I mean the satisfaction that comes along with that, you cannot put a price on it," he said.

Watch the full video at msgnetworks.com. This segment aired during the February 2, 2018 broadcast.

HSS sports medicine surgeon and Team Physician for the New York Knicks Answorth A. Allen, MD, said "one of the fantastic things about working at Hospital for Special Surgery is that you're never alone. You're part of something bigger than yourself.

"There's always very good communication between the trainers, the managers and the owners who are all trying to do the right thing for the individual - which is first a patient and an athlete second," added Dr. Allen.

Lisa R. Callahan, MD, primary care sports medicine physician at HSS; Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Player Care at Madison Square Garden Sports, said "that it is important to assess a player from a variety of angles."

The Leon Root, MD, Motion Analysis Laboratory offers advanced technology to record a patient's movement for assessment.

"Little reflective markers are put on bony landmarks around the body. We can study your jumps, your running, your walking, your cutting. We get these 3D motions... we're applying it to understand the biomechanics of the athlete," said Howard J. Hillstrom, PhD, director of the motion analysis lab.

"It's very important to know what's normal for that individual athlete, so after they've had an injury, you know what their baseline is that you can compare the return to," said Dr. Callahan.

Also featured is HSS rehabilitation specialist Theresa Chiaia PT, DPT, who conducted an athletic performance assessment and fitness tests with a patient utilizing video. As part of the athlete's education in injury prevention, Chiaia reviews the playback with a patient to determine where adjustments need to be made.

Watch the full video at msgnetworks.com. This segment aired during the January 14, 2018 broadcast.