Dr. Williams, who performed Purce's ACL reconstruction surgery, explains why ACL tears are increasingly common among female athletes, the biggest mistakes athletes make after ACL surgery, and what it takes to return safely to sport.

The conversation also explores the debate over playing on turf versus grass, the risks associated with early youth sports specialization, strategies for preventing lower extremity injuries, and Dr. Williams' ranking of the most challenging lower-limb injuries athletes can face.

Listen to the full podcast here: Confessions of an Elite Athlete with Midge Purce.

“I couldn’t believe how he was moving out there,” Porter said, praising Irving’s ability to get to the basket and finish plays despite the significant knee injury.

Read the full article at Yardbarker.com.

The article was also published in Yahoo! Sports, The Sporting News, and Heavy.com.  

Listen to the full episode at ESPN West Palm Tonight.

As the physician helping keep NBA and WNBA athletes performing at an elite level, Riley J. Williams III, MD, has a front-row seat to the science of longevity. Now, he's applying those lessons to his own fitness routine.

In a recent Super Age article, Dr. Williams, Chief of the Sports Medicine Institute at HSS and Medical Director for the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty, discusses the fitness habits that help him stay strong and active at 60, including regular strength training, daily mobility exercises, and a long-term approach to health and longevity.

Read the full article at superage.com.

Watkins, 25, was ​injured during the NBA ⁠Summer League in Las ​Vegas. The procedure on his ​knee was performed by Riley J. Williams III, MD, Chief of the Sports Medicine Institute at HSS.

Read the full article at reuters.com.

Additional coverage:

• nytimes.com. A subscription is required to access.
• miamiherald.com.
• yardbarker.com.

Dr. Pearle highlighted AI's growing role in predicting injuries, personalizing rehabilitation programs, and optimizing patient outcomes. He discussed the development of digital twins of joints, which can help surgeons plan procedures with greater precision, as well as the use of markerless motion-tracking technology to analyze movement patterns and support injury prevention and recovery.

Dr. Pearle also shared how HSS has implemented a generative AI platform to streamline clinical workflows, enhance the patient experience, and help accelerate treatment pathways, underscoring the institution's commitment to advancing innovation in musculoskeletal care.

Watch the full segment at foxbusiness.com.

This follow up procedure was recommended by Riley J. Williams III, MD, Chief of the Sports Medicine Institute at HSS, to put his ACL injury behind him for good.

Read the full article at on3.com.

Listen to the episode at player.captivate.fm.

“Shout out to Hospital for Special Surgery over in New York City. They took care of me. They got me back really quick. I got back in a record time of like eight months or so. Actually, I really got cleared in seven, but I returned to TV in eight. But I’m feeling really good. I’m feeling stronger, and I’m ready to do some amazing things now,” said Navarro.

Read the full article at sports.co.it.

Rather than the “run until you drop” philosophy of the 1980s, strategies promote tissue repair and energy recovery after intense training, Dr. Williams explained.

“These high-functioning players are very valuable, so you want to watch them, you want to preserve them, you want to give them feedback on a day-to-day basis with regard to how can we best preserve their ability,” continued Dr. Williams.

Surgical advances and physical therapy are also having an impact. Torn ligaments and Achilles injuries that used to be devastating can be surmounted with targeted rehabilitation to prevent muscle loss during recovery.

“The list of career-ending injuries has significantly decreased over the past 20 years,” he shared.

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

At the center of that effort is Daphne Scott, MD, sports medicine physician at HSS, who oversees the day-to-day medical care and management of the New York Knicks. She is one of only six women in her position in the 30-team league, according to the National Basketball Association. 

In a recent interview with Crain's New York Business, Dr. Scott reflected on the Knicks championship season, her career in sports medicine, and the role physicians play in supporting elite athletes.

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

Dr. Williams shared insights on the planning, preparation, and medical considerations involved in helping keep players and fans safe during one of the world's largest sporting events.

Watch the interview at foxweather.com.

Watch the full interview at onnj.com.

Host, Ayesha Rascoe, spoke with Dr. Williams about aging athletes, and how folks can stay in the game long-term at both the professional and recreational level. 

Listen to the interview at npr.org.

Gabriella E. Ode, MD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS reflects this approach, emphasizing that success is not defined by the procedure alone but by whether patients are able to return to the activities and quality of life that matter most to them.

From shared decision-making to recovery, access to care, and multidisciplinary collaboration, her approach reflects a broader movement in medicine: improving not just the operation, but everything that surrounds it.

Read the full article at beckersspine.com.

"The 2026 FIFA World Cup presents unique logistical challenges because it’s being hosted across three countries and 16 venues,” said Dr. Williams. “Unlike previous tournaments that were largely confined to a single country, some teams will be required to undertake extensive air travel across multiple time zones. Frequent travel can disrupt normal sleep patterns, alter dietary routines, and contribute to both physical and mental fatigue.”

“Over the course of a five-week tournament, these cumulative physical demands place substantial stress on the musculoskeletal system. Managing lower-extremity fatigue becomes essential for maintaining both performance and injury prevention. Performance staff closely monitor player workloads and use individualized training and recovery programs to ensure athletes can recover between matches,” Dr. Williams shared.

Read the full article at mensjournal.com.

“The most common injuries in elite soccer involve the lower extremities, particularly the ankle, knee, thigh, and calf,” Dr. Williams said. “Ankle sprains, hamstring strains, and calf strains are among the injuries we see most frequently in professional players. These injuries are largely related to the acceleration, deceleration, cutting, and sprinting demands that are inherent to the sport.”

“During a tournament such as the World Cup, players are exposed to repeated high-intensity efforts, significant physical loads, and substantial psychological pressure. In my opinion, the elevated intensity of competition increases the stress placed on the lower extremities and may contribute to a heightened risk of ACL injury over the course of the tournament,” Dr. Williams explained.

Read the full article at mensjournal.com. This article was also syndicated to AOL.com and Yahoo! Sports.

Dr. Allen is a leader in orthopedic sports medicine who has spent decades caring for elite athletes, serving as the lead team orthopedist for the New York Knicks. He was recently honored by the Knicks organization for his 20 years of dedicated service.

Read the full article at jamaicaobserver.com.

It’s more than 20 years since the U.S. hosted a FIFA World Cup and in the coming weeks, thousands of expectant fans from all over the world are due to jam-pack its stadiums in anticipation of soccer greatness. Behind the scenes, however, an essential strategy for keeping the athletes healthy is in play, and Dr. Williams will be integral to this process for the New York and New Jersey area. His role will include the coordination of medical care during one of the world’s most demanding tournaments.

“Traditionally, the World Cup is the most viewed sporting event worldwide. I cannot stress how much of an honor and privilege it is to have the World Cup final being played here in the New York/New Jersey area. I have been a team physician for over 25 years and the ability to participate in this esteemed event is the cherry on top of what has already been a very satisfying and professionally fulfilling part of my career.” expressed Dr. Williams.

“I am humble that FIFA would trust me with this role,” he continued. “And after over two years of detailed preparation for this specific event, I look forward to the games and all the energy and excitement that I’m sure will be a part of the tournament!”

Read the full article at muscleandfitness.com. 

Baptiste shared the following message on her social media accounts: “It was scary, but I did it. The surgery went well and the recovery has begun. Thank you to the entire team at HSS (Hospital for Special Surgery) for making this process so smooth and pleasant. A big thank you to Riley Williams (the surgeon) for repairing the disaster I had caused to my knee.” 

Read the full article at tennistemple.com.

Read the full article at onnj.com.

The New York/New Jersey area will host matches, including the final, taking place in East Rutherford, N.J., at MetLife Stadium. Dr. Williams will serve as the liaison between FIFA and local medical providers, coordinating 24-hour medical care for all athletes and FIFA officials competing at the New York/New Jersey World Cup location.

Read the full article at sportico.com.

The future of orthopedics is being determined not just in the operating room, but in the C-suite. As outpatient migration, reimbursement pressure, consolidation and shifting patient expectations reshape the specialty, the leaders running the country’s largest orthopedic groups are placing different bets on what comes next.

Dr. Kelly told Becker’s that too many systems are chasing the wrong target by racing to add operating rooms and recruit surgeons. “It’s easy to fall into the idea that orthopedics is just about surgery,” Dr. Kelly said.

The organizations that win the next decade of musculoskeletal care will not be the ones with the most ORs. They will be the ones who treat orthopedics as a lifelong relationship with the patient’s body, running from prevention and performance through rehabilitation, regenerative medicine and surgery when necessary.

“HSS is not just a place you go when you’re injured,” he said.

Read the full article at beckersspine.com. 

Dr. Kelly is nationally recognized for his expertise in sports medicine and hip preservation surgery. A leader in arthroscopic and open surgical treatment of complex hip disorders, he has served as head team physician for the NHL’s New York Rangers and orthopedic consultant for UFC. Dr. Kelly has authored more than 140 scientific publications and is widely respected for advancing hip preservation techniques, clinical outcomes research and innovation in orthopedic sports medicine.

Read the full article at beckersspine.com. 

Shoulder pain is one of the most common muscle or joint complaints, and the causes can include arthritis, frozen shoulder, impingement or a weak rotator cuff. “It’s like a rite of passage,” said Dr. Gulotta. “Most people are going to get shoulder pain at some point in their life.”

Read the full article at nytimes.com. 

Recovery timelines can be harder to pinpoint due to the nature of arthroscopic surgery and loose bodies. Unlike a UCL reconstruction surgery, there’s a wider range of potential actions, according to Dr. Josh Dines from the Hospital for Special Surgery.

“You’re not always treating the same pathology,” said Dr. Dines. “You might be repairing things, or you might be trying to stimulate growth. Others are a cleanup; you’re not trying to get anything to heal.

“With an elbow scope, there’s a bunch of different things that you’re doing. Some people are back in less than two months. Others are five months.”

Read the full article at mlb.com.

Across the country, health systems are racing to open ASCs, recruit orthopedic surgeons and stake out regional territory before competitors do. Dr. Kelly thinks most of them are solving the wrong problem.

“It’s easy to fall into the idea that orthopedics is just about surgery,” said Dr. Kelly. In his view, the organizations that win the next decade of musculoskeletal care will not be the ones with the most operating rooms. They will be the ones who treat orthopedics as something closer to a lifelong relationship with a patient’s body, running from prevention and performance through rehabilitation, regenerative medicine and, eventually, surgery if necessary.

“HSS is not just a place you go when you’re injured,” he said. “It’s a platform that serves the needs of the entire musculoskeletal care continuum.”

Read the full article at beckersspine.com. 

The procedure was performed by Riley J. Williams, MD, Chief of the Sports Medicine Institute at HSS and Benedict Nwachukwu, MD, MBA, sports medicine surgeon at HSS.

Read the full article at espn.co.uk.

Golfers may be prone to injury due to the shoulder movement involved in repetitive golf swings, which puts stress on the muscles and tendons, Dr. Simovitch explained. To avoid a rotator cuff injury, he advises players to maintain good form, strength and flexibility. They may want to consult a physical therapist or certified trainer or find exercises from a reliable source online.

For golfers experiencing symptoms that don't improve with rest after a week or two, he recommends consultation with a health care provider.

Read the full article at magazine.essential.golf.

Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA, President and CEO and Surgeon‑in‑Chief Emeritus at HSS, shares with Fortune Magazine how HSS is advancing musculoskeletal wellness through a new institute for movement and longevity, alongside initiatives to expand virtual physical therapy and advance research to reduce the risk of osteoarthritis after injury. 

Read the full article at fortune.com. 

A former chief of HSS’ Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Service, Dr. Padgett has played a pivotal role in advancing joint replacement surgery, including groundbreaking work in biomaterials, robotic surgery, and thrombosis prevention. He also brings a distinguished military background, having served as a Navy surgeon during operations in Grenada, Beirut, and the Persian Gulf, and continues to contribute to national orthopedic leadership organizations.

With subspecialty certification in orthopedic sports medicine, Dr. Ode serves as a team physician for the WNBA’s NY LIBERTY and an assistant team physician for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets. An active researcher and educator with more than 100 presentations and publications, she is widely recognized for advancing shoulder surgery, surgical education, and diversity within orthopedics.

Read the full article at beckersspine.com. 

According to Dr. Wanich, Williams is reportedly dealing with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, which is encouraging and could allow for a return as soon as two weeks. However, Dr. Wanich noted that while the grade of the strain is important, other factors, including the location of the injury and the specific tissue involved, such as muscle, tendon, or the muscle‑tendon junction, can significantly influence the recovery timeline.

Dr. Wanich added that Williams’ minutes and workload will likely be monitored closely, with input from the team’s training staff. He noted that during the playoffs, players and coaches often push the limits, underscoring the balance teams must strike between performance and injury risk.

Read the full article at usatoday.com. 

A DT platform is, essentially, a virtual replica of a patient’s anatomy, created by software. DT helps to eliminate trial-and-error because physicians can monitor a patient’s “twin” in real time, then experiment with treatment strategies without traditional safety risks.

At HSS, the multidisciplinary team working on the DT project consists of surgeons, radiologists, biomechanical engineers, and artificial intelligence and data specialists. Using the DT tool, they’ll focus initially on the knee. 3D imaging will be used to create a patient’s anatomic replica and then treat musculoskeletal injuries. Surgeons can then run simulations driven by data in real time to plan surgery, make decisions intraoperatively, and predict how well a patient will do, which in turn will allow patients to better understand their conditions. 

“In our pipeline, we take an MRI of the knee and autosegment it to create a 3D model,” said Dr. Pearle. “You can integrate this 3D MRI data with a physics-based computational model, essentially adding virtual ligaments to the knee to simulate how it will behave in the real world. We can also tune ligaments — make them tighter or looser — based on the injury pattern.”

Read the full article at medscape.com.

In this study, reverse and anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty had comparable return to sport and satisfaction rates as well as functional outcomes in patients aged 65 years or younger.

“There does not appear to be a significant difference in anatomic vs. reverse [total shoulder arthroplasty] with the ability to return to sport,” said Dr. Taylor.

Read the full article at healio.com. 

“After surgery, we encourage people to move. We don’t want you sitting in bed or convalescing because that can slow recovery,” shared Dr. Ode. 

"Even if you want to recover quickly from shoulder replacement surgery, try to pace yourself. “It’s like training for a marathon,” Dr. Ode said. “You’re not going to be doing 26 miles on the first day. There’s a lot of retraining those muscles and regaining function and strength.”

Read the full article at health.usnews.com. 

In the multiyear renewal, HSS will remain the exclusive official hospital and official orthopedic consultants of the UFC. Robert Marx, MD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS and Todd McGrath, MD, sports medicine physician at HSS, will serve as the UFC’s head consulting orthopedic surgeon and head consulting orthopedic physician, respectively.

HSS will also continue to have highly visible branding inside the Octagon at selected UFC Numbered events.

Read the full article at beckersspine.com. 

Two research teams, at Duke University and at the University of Colorado, Boulder, have developed injections or infusions that regrow bone and cartilage, ARPA-H announced. And a third team, at Columbia University, may have discovered a way to regrow an entire knee.

“It’s hugely promising,” said Dr. Rodeo, who was not associated with the studies. “Right now, everything we have just modifies symptoms,” he added. Curing arthritis by regrowing cartilage and bone “would be a paradigm shift.”

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

After suffering from the injury back in February during Michigan's Big Ten champion-clinching win at Illinois, Cason’s surgery is set for April 9, a few days after the national championship. Dr. Pearle told MLive that delaying the surgery can often be advantageous. The first season back, he said, is always difficult as the patient is usually tentative on the injured knee.

Read the full article at mlive.com.

Dr. Strickland broke down the anatomy of these common injuries, explaining how they occur and their impact on mobility. She also discussed diagnosis and treatment, as well as insights on the mental and physical challenges of recovery. Finally, she shared how to reduce your risk of these injuries through proper training, stretching, and strengthening exercises.

Read the full article at atriathletesdiary.com.

From a very young age, Dr. Metzl knew that playing sports energized and helped him focus. It wasn't until years into his career as a sports medicine doctor that he began prescribing exercise to others. "It's the most ubiquitous, effective, totally no-side-effects drug in the world," said Dr. Metzl, who recently published “Push: Unlock the Science of Fitness Motivation to Embrace Health and Longevity.”

Exercise is also something Dr. Metzl feels is sometimes overlooked in the longevity space, in favor of fancier products.

Read the full article at businessinsider.com.

Read the full article at beckersspine.com.

Her performance is remarkable considering that just one week ago she tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee, an injury that would typically sideline most athletes.

"Women injure their ACL 2.2 times more than men," Riley J. Williams III, MD, chief of sports medicine at the HSS told ABC News.

 But Vonn is at an Olympic level of conditioning, Williams said.

"Her tolerance for speed and demand is greater than a normal person," Dr. Williams explained.

Though Vonn said in a news conference last week that she has the "help of a knee brace," Dr. Williams pointed out a brace may not prevent further damage.

"The brace is very helpful for side to side, but what it does not do is protect you from rotation," Dr. Williams explained. "As she's going from one direction to the other, doing those fast turns down the hill, there's a rotational component that even the tightest braces are not going to protect you from."

But if anyone can power through an ACL tear to compete at the highest level, Dr. Williams said, it’s the three-time Olympic medalist.

"Who would you pick to try to ski Olympic downhill without an ACL? It would be Lindsey Vonn," Dr. Williams said.

Read the full article at abcnews.com. 

During his 10‑month recovery, Devin found comfort in building intricate Lego sets — a hobby that helped keep him motivated and engaged. Inspired by the role Legos played in his healing, he became an ambassador for Pass the Bricks, a nonprofit that repurposes donated Lego pieces for children.

Devin recently returned to HSS to personally deliver custom Lego kits to young patients. One recipient’s family shared how meaningful it was to receive a gift from someone who had been in their shoes.

Now fully recovered and back to competing, Devin continues to support other young patients on their recovery journeys.

Read the full story at usnews.com.

During his recovery, Devin found comfort in building Lego sets, a hobby that helped him stay positive. He later partnered with Pass the Bricks, creating custom kits for children in hospitals.

He recently returned to HSS to donate those kits to young patients — including 15‑year‑old Antonia Marotta — offering support from someone who’s been through the same journey.

Read the full article at healthday.com. 

That doesn’t mean the 36-year-old Warriors wing can’t return to the court — just that the challenges he faces are practically unparalleled. 

“He’s in a better situation than most 36-year-olds,” Laura Moore, MD, PhD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS said. “But everything gets harder when you get older. It’s harder. You’re probably at a little higher risk for stiffness, you’re at a higher risk for persistent swelling, you’re at a little bit of higher risk for aches and pains. And as you get older, it’s always harder to recover muscle mass. So he’s not a typical 36-year-old, but everything gets harder when you’re older.” 

Butler will have every resource — physical therapists, recovery technology, athletic trainers managing swelling — available to him to achieve the best outcome possible. Still, he is “at kind of the tail-end of the bell curve for ACL injuries,” Dr. Moore said. 

Read the full article at sfstandard.com.