Newsroom Hospital for Special Surgery

Castle Connolly's 2026 Exceptional Women in Medicine

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Castle Connolly announces the release of the 2026 Exceptional Women in Medicine.

This list recognizes female Castle Connolly Top Doctors who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, expertise and dedication in their respective fields. In addition to meeting the requirements to be selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, these doctors also have additional qualifications, including research and academic contributions, volunteer work within healthcare, and training at top institutions.

Read the full article at castleconnolly.com.

Surprising Study Finds No Link Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Transfusion Risk After Knee Replacement

Sun, 17 Nov 2024 10:30:00 -0500

Having rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was not a risk factor for needing a blood transfusion during or after total knee replacement, according to a new study by HSS researchers presented today at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, ACR Convergence 2024.1

Advancements in surgical techniques and the increased use of a medication called tranexamic acid for preventing and controlling bleeding have made it possible for many patients undergoing knee replacement to avoid needing a transfusion, which requires hospital admission for at least a day.

Despite these advancements, it was believed that patients with RA undergoing orthopedic surgeries had an elevated risk of transfusion since they tend to have higher rates of anemia compared to the individuals without the disease. RA occurs in about 1% of the general American population.² About 4% of patients having joint replacement surgeries at HSS have the disease.

“Learning that rheumatoid arthritis was not a transfusion risk factor was unexpected,” said HSS rheumatologist Susan M. Goodman, MD, co-author of the study. “However, we believe presurgical care, including proactively managing chronic anemia before surgery, played a key role in minimizing transfusion risk.”

For their study, Dr. Goodman, HSS rheumatologist Linda A. Russell, MD, and colleagues analyzed hospital records for more than 29,000 patients who had a single total knee arthroplasty procedure at HSS from February 2016 to December 2022. A total of 822 patients, or 2.8%, received transfusions. The transfusion rate declined significantly during the study period from 5.7% in 2016 to 0.9% in 2022.

The investigators reviewed patient demographics such as age and sex, preoperative hemoglobin levels, RA diagnosis and the use of tranexamic acid during surgery, and then looked for associations with transfusion risk.

“In addition to finding that rheumatoid arthritis was not a transfusion risk factor, analysis revealed that a higher preoperative hemoglobin level and the use of tranexamic acid significantly decreased transfusion risk, while being male and having a greater burden of other diseases increased risk,” said HSS pre-doctoral student and research assistant Stephen Batter, BA, the presenting author of the poster summarizing the study.

The research team plans to use their unexpected findings to develop a tool to identify patients with different levels of transfusion risk based on preoperative hemoglobin level, sex, age and health status. This initiative may help orthopedic surgeons better anticipate which patients can safely avoid transfusion and may be suitable candidates for outpatient knee replacement surgery.

Authors: Stephen Batter, BA, Huong Do, MA, Dongmei Sun, PhD, Ahmed Deeb, BA, Trang Bui, MD, Jason L. Blevins, MD, Mark P. Figgie, MD, Gwo-Chin Lee, MD, J. Alex B. Gibbons, BA, Bella Mehta, MD, MS, MBBS, Susan M. Goodman, MD, Linda Russell, MD.

Reference:

¹Batter S, Do H, Sun D, Deeb A, Bui T, Blevins J, Figgie M, Lee G, Gibbons J, Mehta B, Goodman S, A Russell L. Investigating Predictors of Transfusion in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis Patients Undergoing Knee Arthroplasty [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2024; 76 (suppl 9). https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/investigating-predictors-of-transfusion-in-rheumatoid-arthritis-and-osteoarthritis-patients-undergoing-knee-arthroplasty/. Accessed October 10, 2024.

²Xu Y, Wu Q. Prevalence Trend and Disparities in Rheumatoid Arthritis among US Adults, 2005-2018. J Clin Med. 2021;10(15):3289. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8348893/. Accessed October 10, 2024.

HSS Presents New Research at the ACR Convergence 2024

Sat, 16 Nov 2024 10:30:00 -0500

At this year’s American College of Rheumatology (ACR) annual meeting, HSS presented exciting research related to rheumatology and orthopedics.

Research highlights include a study showing that online search trends can lead to more personalized rheumatic disease care, and blood changes in people at risk for rheumatoid arthritis, a study revealing that having rheumatoid arthritis was not a risk factor for needing a blood transfusion during or after total knee replacement, new discoveries in antiphospholipid syndrome, the effectiveness of avacopan for severe vasculitis, new insights on rheumatic diseases and reproductive health and a study that shows knee osteoarthritis causes more pain and inflammation in women.

New Study Signals How Online Search Trends Could Lead to More Personalized Rheumatic Disease Care

Physicians are learning how to better support the needs of people with rheumatoid arthritis from online search trends, according to a new study from researchers at HSS and colleagues at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons.

New Research Reveals Alterations in Blood of People at Risk of Developing Rheumatoid Arthritis

A new study by HSS and collaborating centers identified distinct immune cell patterns in the blood that signal an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis before symptoms occur.

Surprising Study Finds No Link Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Transfusion Risk After Knee Replacement

Having rheumatoid arthritis was not a risk factor for needing a blood transfusion during or after total knee replacement, according to a new study by HSS researchers.

New Antiphospholipid Syndrome Research Findings Presented at ACR Convergence 2024

Investigators from the Antiphospholipid Syndrome Alliance for Clinical Trials and International Networking (APS ACTION) presented new research findings in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). These studies explore differences in clinical manifestations of APS in children versus adults, identify key risk factors for thrombosis in persistently antiphospholipid antibody-positive patients, and investigate the prevalence and implications of lupus-related autoantibodies in patients without lupus.

Study Shows Avacopan Effective for Most Serious Vasculitis Cases

New multicenter study by HSS and others by HSS shows avacopan is effective in achieving disease control with less steroid exposure in patients with ear, nose and throat manifestations of ANCA associated vasculitis.

HSS Presents Cutting-Edge Discoveries in Rheumatic Disease and Reproductive Health at ACR Convergence 2024

HSS presented a number of studies focused on reproductive health for patients with rheumatic diseases including factors influencing infant feeding, predicting pregnancy outcomes in lupus, and improving contraception screening for women on teratogenic medications in rheumatology.

Study Shows Knee Osteoarthritis Causes More Pain and Inflammation in Women

Women with knee osteoarthritis experience more pain and inflammation than men, according to a new study led by researchers at HSS and The Rockefeller University.

Castle Connolly Releases 2024 Exceptional Women in Medicine

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 15:34:00 -0400

Castle Connolly announces the release of the 2024 Exceptional Women in Medicine. This list recognizes female Castle Connolly Top Doctors across the U.S. who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, expertise and dedication in their respective fields. There are over 8,300 doctors represented, across 77 different specialties and all 50 states.

The Exceptional Women in Medicine list is compiled through a rigorous selection process that includes peer nominations, extensive research, and evaluation by the Castle Connolly research team. In addition to meeting the criteria to be selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, these physicians have qualifications including contributions to healthcare through volunteer work, awards and honors, training at top institutions, research and academics, and innovations in their field of specialty.

Read the full article at castleconnolly.com.

Genetic Screening With Targeted Treatment Halts Progression of Paget Disease of the Bone

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 10:25:23 -0500

Medscape reports that Prophylactic treatment with zoledronic acid (ZA) in individuals at high genetic risk for Paget disease of the bone (PDB) can prevent the development or progression of the condition, according to a new study. The authors argued that the positive results from the trial suggest that individuals with a familial history of PDB should undergo genetic screening.

In this new study, published on December 20, 2023, in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, researchers recruited participants through family members already diagnosed with PDB who received treatment at outpatient clinics. Over 1400 individuals with PDB underwent genetic testing for pathogenic SQSTM1 variants. If they tested positive, their first-degree relatives — primarily children — were offered the same genetic test. In total, 350 relatives tested positive for these pathogenic SQSTM1 variants, and of these individuals, 222 agreed to participate in the trial.

At the beginning of the study, all participants received a radionuclide bone scan to screen for bone lesions. They also underwent testing for the bone resorption marker type I collagen C-terminal telopeptides (CTX) and the bone formation marker procollagen type I amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP). Participants were then randomized to receive either a single intravenous infusion of 5 mg of ZA or placebo treatment. Researchers followed up with participants annually for a median of 84 months (7 years), and then baseline assessments were repeated.

Overall, the researchers reported that eight individuals in the placebo group and no individuals in the ZA group had a poor outcome, defined as new bone lesions or lesions that were unchanged or progressed (odds ratio, 0.08; P = .003). Two individuals in the placebo group developed lesions during the study, compared with none in the ZA group, but this difference was not statistically significant.

While only a small number of people in the study had legions — around 9% of participants — the effect of ZA is "dramatic," Linda A. Russell, MD, rheumatologist at HSS, told Medscape Medical News.

"Now, it seems like [the test] is fairly easily available, so probably it's something we can begin to incorporate into our armamentarium," Russell said.

Read the full article at medscape.com.

Low-Dose Colchicine Might Prevent or Delay Knee, Hip Replacements

Wed, 31 May 2023 18:58:00 -0400

Health Day speaks to experts including Linda A. Russell, MD, rheumatologist at HSS about a study published on May 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicating colchicine might deliver relief and delay surgery for those with knee and hip arthritis.

The study, published May 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, does come with a big caveat, researchers noted: The patients were part of a trial testing colchicine for warding off heart trouble — not joint replacements.

Dr. Russell noted that colchicine has a long history of use, and it is “relatively safe and well-tolerated.” She continued to say the new findings are not enough to prove that colchicine delays joint replacements. For one, it's not clear how many patients already had surgery planned before they entered the trial.

For now, Dr. Russell said that people with osteoarthritis can do some things to prevent or delay a joint replacement: lose weight, if needed, and strengthen the muscles supporting the affected joint.

Those tactics, according to Dr. Russell may both slow the underlying disease progression and ease chronic pain — the key reason that people opt for surgery.

Read the full article at consumer.healthday.com.

Castle Connolly Releases 2023 Exceptional Women in Medicine

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 11:43:00 -0400

Castle Connolly announces the release of the 2023 Exceptional Women in Medicine. This list recognizes female Castle Connolly Top Doctors across the U.S. who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, expertise and dedication in their respective fields. There are over 8,400 doctors represented, across 77 specialties and all 50 states. HSS is honored to have 20 doctors included on this list.

Read the full press release at newswire.com.

Do Collagen Supplements Really Make Your Skin and Bones Healthier?

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 13:16:00 -0500

The Wall Street Journal reports on the effectiveness of collagen supplements for skin and bone health according to experts including Linda A. Russell, MD, rheumatologist and director of perioperative medicine and the Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Health Center at HSS.

Since collagen is a protein, and protein is generally good for bone health, collagen supplements may be beneficial, advised Dr. Russell. “But it probably doesn’t incorporate into bone” or reduce the risk of osteoporosis, she said.

She recommended steps such as consuming sufficient amounts of vitamin D and calcium, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight.

“There are many other things that support bone health,” said Dr. Russell.

Read the full article at WSJ.com. A subscription is required to access.

Updated Guideline Introduces Recommendations for Prevention & Treatment of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 13:44:00 -0400

The Rheumatologist reports the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) released a summary of its updated guideline for the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in September. The guideline includes recommendations on abaloparatide and romosozumab, which are two medications that are newly available since the 2017 guideline, as well as recommendations for other osteoporosis medications.

The guideline also recommends sequential therapy (any treatment regimen in which the patient is given one treatment followed by another), which was not addressed in the previous guideline. The recommendations for sequential therapies are based in part on some study designs, long-term follow-up studies, and new clinical trials.

“Some physicians may be surprised about the need for sequential therapy when completing a course of denosumab, parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone related protein, or romosozumab. If not done, patients could be at risk of rapidly developing vertebral fractures and bone loss,” said Linda A. Russell, MD, rheumatologist and director of perioperative medicine and the Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Health Center at HSS and co-principal investigator of the guideline.

Furthermore, the updated guideline also gives more flexibility on drug selection and considers patient and physician preferences.

Read the full article at the-rheumatologist.org.

Additional coverage: Medscape.com.

Knee Trouble? Losing Weight May Help Slow Arthritis

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 16:54:00 -0400

HealthDay reports on study results published in Arthritis & Rheumatology finding weight loss was associated with a lower incidence and progression of knee osteoarthritis and includes commentary from HSS rheumatologist Linda A. Russell, MD, who was not involved in the study.

Dr. Russell said, “There's no doubt that when you have knee osteoarthritis and you lose weight, you'll have less pain. This suggests that losing weight also slows the progression of the joint damage.”

Dr. Russell explained that the findings are not surprising. In basic terms, excess weight places more pressure on the knees, especially the medial (or inner) side of the joint. In this study, Dr. Russell noted, weight changes were specifically related to the odds of joint space narrowing on the inner side of the knee.

“So this is confirming what we've suspected,” she added.

She continued, “If you have knee osteoarthritis and lose weight, you might be able to either avoid knee replacement surgery or delay it.”

However, it did take substantial weight loss to make a major difference. On average, the study found, people had to drop a whole body mass index (BMI) category — going from obese to overweight, for example — to reduce the odds of arthritis progression by 22%.

According to Dr. Russell, that is challenging. “The hard part is, patients with knee osteoarthritis often find it difficult to exercise because of pain.”

She underscored, “I do encourage patients to find activities they can do, and that they enjoy.”

Read the full article at Healthday.com. Additional coverage: Usnews.com.

Here’s a Doctor’s Take On Why Weight Training is Necessary As We Age

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 18:07:00 -0500

Muscle & Fitness discusses tips for maintaining bone health while aging with Linda A. Russell, MD, rheumatologist and director of perioperative medicine at HSS.

According to Dr. Russell, “There are two major bone cell types. The osteoclast, and the osteoblast. From the day that we are born, until around age 25 to 30, we make more bone than we lose. So, the bone strength gets better and better. And then somewhere around 25 and 30, we all sadly reach our peak bone density, and that’s the strongest that our bones will ever be. Then, as we start the normal aging process, we start to lose more bone than we make and slowly the bone density begins to decline.”

“Weight-bearing exercises are wonderful for bones. So, if you participate in a regular weight-bearing exercise program, your bone health will be absolutely better,” she said.

Dr. Russell explained, “And we know that, for instance, if you go into space, astronauts lose lots of bone because there is no gravity. If you take someone who is sick, and you put them in a hospital bed, within about two weeks they’ll start losing bone. The more that you can have activities where you are against gravity, the better your bone health is going to be.”

Dr. Russell underscored that a good workout program becomes even more essential after age 40, because muscle mass is already beginning to decline naturally.

She continued, “You lose about a third of a pound of muscle mass per year. You can work hard so that this doesn’t happen. You can exercise and do your weight training, but if you’re just a guy that doesn’t really exercise you will start losing muscle and if you looked at an MRI of the that muscle, it has more fat interspersed with the muscle. For someone that is very fit, there is very little fat in the muscle shown on an MRI.”

“Muscle is attached to bone. Muscle pulls on bone. The stronger the muscle, the greater the pull on the bone, and the better it is for the bone,” added Dr. Russell.

Read the full article at Muscleandfitness.com.

How Safe Is a 'Holiday' From Bone-Strengthening Meds?

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 16:55:00 -0500

HealthDay reports on a new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine finding that a "holiday" from some bone-strengthening medications may come with a slightly increased risk of hip fracture, and includes commentary from Linda A. Russell, MD, rheumatologist and director of perioperative medicine at HSS, who was not involved in the study.

Dr. Russell said the findings are not surprising, given differences in how the two medications "stick" to bone. But they imply that risedronate users may need to restart treatment a little sooner than those on holiday from alendronate, she added.

She underscored that medication is part of the story. People with balance problems, she noted, may want to talk to their provider about exercises or physical therapy that can help with those issues.

Dr. Russell noted, “These medications do not completely prevent fractures. They lower the risk.”

Read the full article at Healthday.com. Additional coverage: USnews.com.

Exploring the Link Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Dementia

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 20:29:00 -0500

Linda A. Russell, MD, rheumatologist and director of perioperative medicine at HSS, discusses clinical implications of the research findings to date indicating the possible mechanistic links between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and dementia.

Dr. Russell explained most but not all studies suggest there is an increased risk of dementia in patients with RA. RA is associated with systemic inflammation, which has been shown to be associated with increased cardiovascular disease. It has been shown that RA can increase the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke and felt that the systemic inflammation in RA can be associated with the microvascular disease in vascular dementia.

Several studies also demonstrate that patients on anti-TNF therapy may be somewhat protected from developing dementia, continued Dr. Russell. Anti-TNF therapy has been shown to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and bone loss in patients with RA; in both instances, the anti-TNF therapy is felt to decrease inflammation. Some studies have shown a similar effect with DMARDs [disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs], while other studies have not. It is also important to control hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes, all of which can increase the risk of dementia, she added. Patients should get regular exercise and maintain a healthy weight.

Areas requiring additional research pertaining to this topic include exploration of how to decrease the risk of dementia in RA and the evaluation of biologics, according to Dr. Russell.

Read the full text article at Rheumatologyadvisor.com.

Dr. Mary Crow, Champion of Yes in New York

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 17:59:00 -0400

Arthritis Foundation News Blog reports Mary K. Crow, MD, physician-in-chief and chief of rheumatology at HSS, has served on the Arthritis Foundation’s New York City board of directors since 2010. Most recently named as the Medical Honoree of New York’s 2019 Walk to Cure Arthritis, Dr. Crow spoke to the foundation about what inspired her to enter the field of rheumatology, research and treatment advances in her tenure, and her proudest career milestone.

“I chose rheumatology as a specialty because of the seriousness of many of these diseases, which often affect young women, and me wanting to understand the complexities of the immune system,” said Dr. Crow. “It was a tremendous honor to receive the Presidential Gold Medal from the American College of Rheumatology in 2018. That award recognizes contributions to rheumatology. I’ve been fortunate to participate in advancing the field, not only through my own research, but also through active participation in organizations like the Arthritis Foundation,” she cited. “Through research, particularly studies of patients, our understanding of the biologic mechanisms that lead to rheumatic diseases has advanced considerably. We now have biologic therapies that do a good job of treating most patients, targeting relevant biologic mechanisms. We have more work to do before these diseases can be cured or even prevented, but we have come a long way,” explained Dr. Crow.

Linda A. Russell, MD, rheumatologist at HSS, commented on Dr. Crow’s achievement of being named the Medical Honoree, stating, “I was proud to see her receive the award of Medical Honoree of the 2019 Walk to Cure Arthritis. She has devoted her career to the advancement of research to help understand and treat patients with autoimmune diseases and arthritis.”

Read the full article at Blog.Arthritis.org.

Maxwell Walks For A Cure With Arthritis Foundation

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 16:11:00 -0400

Z100 reports DJ Maxwell participated in the Arthritis Foundation’s 2019 Walk to Cure Arthritis, an event which raised more than $300,000 to support research.

Z100 notes Maxwell introduced the 2019 honorees, citing Linda A. Russell, MD, rheumatologist at HSS, as the presenting sponsor, and Mary K. Crow, MD, physician-in-chief, chief of rheumatology at HSS, as the Medical Honoree.

Read the full article at z100.iheart.com.

10 Key Trends in Hospital Medicine

Wed, 08 May 2019 17:58:00 -0400

Staff Care News Blog highlights 10 key trends in hospital medicine, and what institutions and hospitalists can anticipate in the foreseeable future.

Staff Care News Blog spoke to Linda A. Russell, MD, director of perioperative medicine at HSS, who commented on the trending growth of the hospitalist field, saying, “Hospitalists are not going away.” While nearly half of hospital medicine physicians are internists, a report has shown several specialty physicians do exist. Dr. Russell explained the role of the hospitalists at HSS, citing, “They [hospitalists at HSS] care for emergency admissions and respond to rapid response requests and codes.”

Read the full article at StaffCare.com.

Cold Weather Checklist

Sat, 01 Dec 2018 07:00:00 -0500

Reporter Mary Anne Dunkin writes on tips to stay safe and well during the cold weather for the 'Science & Medicine' section of Arthritis Today.

Linda A. Russell, MD, rheumatologist at HSS, recommends patients ask their physicians if they need a vitamin D supplement as there are less opportunities to get sun outdoors.

It's also important to beware of ice. Dr. Russell recommends wearing footwear that "has some grip to it" and to focus on walking. "Don't text or talk on the phone," she adds.

This article appears in the Winter 2018-2019 print edition.

VTE Prophylaxis: Orthopedic Versus Hospitalist Perspectives

Sat, 01 Sep 2018 07:00:00 -0400

Anesthesiology News featured HSS rheumatologist Linda A. Russell, MD, in an article about strategies to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients after orthopedic surgery.

"In general, orthopedic surgeons worry about more bleeding, which may prevent patients from achieving full range of motion with a new joint or increase the risk of infection," said Dr. Russell.

According to Dr. Russell, HSS Spine has a VTE committee to review the latest anticoagulants and make the safest selection. She noted that the service has seen a dramatic reduction in rates of VTE with this approach.

This article appeared in the September 2018 print issue.

36 Life Hacks for Joint Pain You'll Wish You Knew Sooner

Mon, 30 Apr 2018 07:00:00 -0400

Healthination featured HSS rheumatologist Linda A. Russell, MD, and hand therapist Emily C. Sloane OTR/L, CHT, who provided tips for those with rheumatoid arthritis to manage joint pain.

"Patients with rheumatoid arthritis may have deformities in their wrists and hands that can make fine motor skills quite difficult," explained Dr. Russell.

"A patient can work with an occupational therapist who can provide tools that help with the activities of daily living," Dr. Russell added.

Sloane recommended using kitchen tools that chop and slice food for you. "The use of a chopper tool or food processor can assist clients to chop and mince more easily," she noted.

Additionally, Sloane pointed out that pop-out phone grips that attach to the back of your phone make it easier to hold. "They also save clients energy because you can set up the phone on the table during FaceTime conversations or watching videos online," she added.

Read the full article at healthination.com

Let's Dance!

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 07:00:00 -0500

An Arthritis Today article reports on study findings from HSS rheumatologist Linda A. Russell, MD, who looked at the benefits of weekly ballroom dancing and exercise programs for those with arthritis.

According to Dr. Russell, the study found that nine out of ten participants reported less pain after the programs concluded.

Additionally, she noted that "ballroom dancing in particular brings in the role of socialization and that always has a very positive influence on people's health".

This article appeared in the March/April 2018 print issue.

VIDEO: Physicians should be transparent with patients regarding appropriate, possible post-total joint reconstruction VTE prophylaxis

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 07:00:00 -0500

At the Interdisciplinary Conference on Orthopedic Value-Based Care, Orthopedics Today interviewed HSS rheumatologist Linda A. Russell, MD, about the importance of transparency between physicians and patients on possible VTE prophylaxis after total joint replacement.

To improve transparency, Dr. Russell explained that HSS stakeholders agreed to categorize VTE prophylaxis into three types which could decrease confusion for medical providers.

"Everyone taking care of the patient such as the physician assistants, the nurses, the residents and the fellows can follow a more scripted approach to VTE prophylaxis. We think this will decrease our rate of VTE at our hospital," said Dr. Russell.

Watch the full interview at healio.com [registration required].

Utilization of pre-op management and pre-habilitation

Sat, 10 Feb 2018 07:00:00 -0500

Top Med Talk hosted HSS rheumatologist Linda A. Russell, MD, live on-air to discuss preoperative assessment and postoperative care for orthopedic surgery patients.

Dr. Russell explained that HSS physicians follow a specific set of guidelines to assess patients preoperatively before surgery. The guidelines are coordinated by the Department of Perioperative Medicine, but all the decisions are made by an interdisciplinary group of HSS health professionals.

"We have a surgeon on the committee, we have an anesthesiologist, nursing… I've found that to really have a successful program...everyone from the beginning has to agree to it," Dr. Russell explained.

By approaching a patient's preoperative assessment collaboratively, Dr. Russell she noted that HSS staff are able to optimize surgical outcomes.

This interview originally appeared at topmedtalk.com