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.  

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.

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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.

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.

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.

"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.

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 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.

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. 

Watch the full story at ABC7ny.com. 

Multiple defensive injury issues have also forced the team to reshuffle at the back. Carvajal is back from his injury while Alaba and Militao played during the Club World Cup.

Riley J. Williams III, MD, Chief of the Sports Medicine Institute at HSS, breaks down whether these players can get back to the top.

Read the full article at si.com. 

Read the full article at si.com. 

Laney-Hamilton is expected to be sidelined for five to six months.

She played two games at Unrivaled, the new 3-on-3 league, before suffering the injury.

She had a minor procedure on her right knee last July and was out for roughly six weeks before returning to help the Liberty win the first WNBA championship in history.

The surgery was performed at HSS.

Read the full article at ESPN.com. 

While the Liberty have played in five final games, the team was the lone WNBA franchise without a championship title. 

In May, the team extended its care partnership with HSS, which has been the official care partner of the team for 19 seasons. HSS is the longest-standing corporate partner of the New York Liberty.

Physicians providing care for the team include HSS sports medicine surgeons  Benedict Nwachukwu, MD, MBA,  and Riley J. Williams III, MD. 

Dr. Nwachukwu specializes in hip, knee and shoulder surgery and is also the co-director of clinical research for the sports medicine institute at HSS.

Dr. Williams specializes in knee, shoulder and elbow surgery, as well as sports medicine. He is also the medical director and head team orthopedic surgeon for the Brooklyn Nets.

Read the full article at beckersspine.com. 

However, the former Villanova star got injured at the end of the season.

Bey underwent successful surgery to repair the torn left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. The surgery was performed by Riley J. Williams III, MD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS.  Bey sustained the injury during the 3/10 game vs. New Orleans. 

Read the full article at si.com. 

A team at HSS has served the the New York Liberty since 2004. Riley Williams, MD, serves as medical director and Anne Holland Johnson, MD, Benedict Nwachukwu, MD, Gabriella E. Ode, MD, and James N. Robinson, MD, serve as team physicians. 

Read the full article at beckersspine.com. 

Dr. Williams says a return to form by Chubb after knee surgeries will be difficult and he will most likely be looking at a 6-to-9 month rehab at best.

Chubb had surgery on his MCL, but still needs another surgery for his ACL; both were injured Sep. 18 in the Monday night loss at Pittsburgh.

Chubb, 27, has one year remaining on his Browns contract. 

Read the full article at cleveland19.com. 

After seeing the headlines of how many of the world’s top players are missing out on this year’s Women’s World Cup — including two from the US team — it’s hard not to think of this injury as an inevitable part of the sport, especially as a woman.

Different studies have found female athletes are two to eight times more likely than their male counterparts to tear their ACLs.

“This issue has been around for a long time, it’s gotten worse and worse,” said Andrew D. Pearle, MD, chief of sports medicine at HSS. 

Over a 10-year period, Dr. Pearle says he saw a 300% increase in ACL injuries in adolescents.

So while the injuries among top professional players have brought this issue into the spotlight, Dr. Pearle said the highest incidences are still in high school athletes — and he is seeing increasing numbers in middle school-age athletes.

Dr. Pearle said this is why parents need to be aware that these injury prevention programs exist.

“If you got a girl’s soccer team, you’d say to the coach or the sports organization, OK, what’s your neuromuscular training plan? What are you guys doing for it? You know, that should be a question that everybody asks,” Dr. Pearle explained.

Read the full article at CNN.com. 

Durant's right MCL sprain was reevaluated  by Riley J. Williams III, MD. sports medicine surgeon at HSS and Head Team Orthopedic Surgeon for the Nets.  Dr. Williams is very pleased with Durant's recovery thus far, as he is progressing well and as expected. Durant will continue to strengthen his knee and begin running and on-court basketball activities this week. He is scheduled to be reassessed in another two weeks. 

Read the full article at cbssports.com. 

Additional coverage at 

• nypost.com.
• nba.com.
• yahoo.com. 

Read the full article at Liberty.wnba.com.

Read the full article at Liberty.wnba.com.

Read the full article at Liberty.wnba.com.

While not involved with the NFL, Dr. Williams applauds the league’s efforts to educate players about the vaccine and the overall compliance. “Also, having high rates of vaccination is going to enhance player availability,” he noted.

The segment aired during the 4 p.m. news hour on September 12.

Dr. Williams noted the restrictions in place to protect the safety of participants and attendees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Williams explained the focus on the mental health of the athletes, who were not only away from their support network, but also had to stay isolated while attending the games.

“In many ways, it just made them more focused on the task at hand, which was to go there and demonstrate that they are the best basketball players in the world,” he added.

Dr. Williams said overall the Olympics was a worthwhile experience. “[It] definitely took me out of what was the norm of my day-to-day clinical life and, quite frankly, I was more of a doctor than I was a ‘carpenter,’ which I am in my normal life. It required me to use a knowledge base and skillset that I do not typically use, but I was grateful to realize I still had that,” he reflected.

Read the full article at Healio.com/news/orthopedics.

Dr. Williams performed anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery on Dinwiddie’s right knee in January 2021.

Dr. Williams noted, “He looks and feels and moves like the pre-injury Spencer Dinwiddie.”

Read the full article at CBSsports.com.

According to Dr. Williams, absent of any major complications, it is possible Woods could be ready to tee it up at next year’s Masters. “He has the right psychological makeup and obviously very focused and driven,” he noted. “Let’s assume in the most straightforward case we’ve got good bone healing by 12 weeks and then another three months of general recovery,” added Dr. Williams. 

“I could see him being on the range 6-to-12 months after surgery,” he predicted. “The Masters next year is certainly within reason, again barring some unknown complicating factors.”

Read the full article at Reuters.com.

Dr. Williams noted he encourages patients to strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteal muscles and the core muscles of the abdomen when dealing with debilitating knee pain. “I typically recommend that patients do functional exercises that target the co-contraction of multiple muscle groups of the lower extremity,” he said. “For example, a step-up exercise targets the quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal muscles of the pelvis in concert.”

Read the full article at WSJ.com.

Read the full article at Beckersspine.com.

Additional coverage:

• NBA.com
• Beckersspine.com
• NYpost.com 

The Athletic spoke to Riley J. Williams III, MD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS, who did not treat Burrow, but commented on the treatment and recovery for this type of injury. 

Dr. Williams said the timing for surgery depends on the plan of attack with either fixing the MCL or letting it heal on its own, which depends on grade. “You have an ACL tear, most surgeons would say they wait anywhere from two-to-three weeks to have the surgery,” he said. “If you have an MCL tear you may wait a little longer. You may wait four-to-six weeks for the injury to heal. There are some surgeons, myself included, who advocate for operative repair of severe MCLs in which case you can stick to the initial timeline of 2-3 weeks if knew you were going to fix the MCL. It doesn’t really change the overall length of time you recover,” added Dr. Williams.

The difference in a timeline of nine months versus the 12 months return to play comes down to all the variables you would expect physically, but there is a mental component that Dr. Williams said they have found to be connected to early return to play. “We showed here that there are certain psychological objective scores we use — there is a thing called the Shortform 36 — that has a mental component score,” he explained. “We showed that a higher mental component score prior to injury is associated with a quicker return to sports. It’s more than just stabilizing the knee. Informally, you say the individual’s sense of grit and sturdiness plays to that number as well. That’s why we always give a range because that’s why there are things we can’t control as a doctor that play into that number.”

Subscription required to access the full article at Theathletic.com. 

Companies are in need of experts to translate public health policy into practice. Many doctors have seen their earnings decline in recent years, and they should view there knowledge as a valuable commodity, said Dr. Williams. Dr. Williams added the federal government wasn’t provided enough guidance about how to open specific businesses, so doctors stepped up to fill in the gaps, he added.

Read the full article at Bizjournals.com/southflorida. Please note, a subscription to this publication is required to access.

TODAY spoke to Dr. Williams who noted, “While arthritis affects 50 million Americans and arthritis in the shoulder is common, only about 10 percent of people who have it need replacement surgery after trying other non-surgical therapies.” He added, "What you can expect after having a shoulder replacement is 25-plus years of really good function, provided you do all the requisite things after surgery (like) getting good healing, good nutrition and physical therapy to restrengthen the muscles around the shoulder. It really, really is life-changing and can bring you back to a point where you don't even realize that you had the shoulder operated on in the first place.”

Roker mentioned family members on his mother's side suffer from "really intense arthritis," which Dr. Williams said can play a role in Roker being affected by it. The arthritis in Roker’s shoulder has caused regular pain and affected his range of motion, particularly moving the shoulder up and down. "Osteoarthritis, which is what most of us have and what you [Roker] have, can affect multiple joints and is thought to be what we call a variable penetrance, meaning some combination of a genetic predisposition and some environmental factors," noted Dr. Williams.

Watch the segment on TODAY.com, which aired during the third hour of the show on August 11, 2020.

Additional coverage:

• People.com
• Pagesix.com
• Beckersspine.com
• Hollywoodreporter.com
• NYdailynews.com
• Prevention.com
• TODAY.com 
• Pagesix.com 
• Popculture.com
• TODAY.com
• Goodhousekeeping.com
• Medpagetoday.com

“The policy and the creation of the bubble involved league officials and the medical staff of the individual teams trying to prioritize player safety, the judicious utilization of testing and trying to come up with novel protocols that we could use in order to make sure everyone going in was COVID free and then trying our best to keep it that way," explained Dr. Wlliams. "It's a combination of player willingness and compliance, honestly, and them wanting to be there and wanting to carry this off. And the league and teams coming up with some structure that would allow the players to be able to remain in the bubble, be safe and execute these games.”

He added, “It was really important to create some entry point guidelines with regard to who was going into the bubble. Everyone has to be quarantined on the way in, that’s an excess of a week, if you leave the bubble and go back, you have to be quarantined. If you have any kind of exposure, it is a longer quarantine process. It’s super strict.” Dr. Williams noted, “It seems a little draconian, but it's really what's necessary, and then once you're in the bubble, you can't leave. You can't even exit your hotel to pick up food outside. Everything is delivered. And it has to be strict. The infectious nature and the way by which this virus is spread is so contagious that they have to keep these guardrails in place in order to successfully carry out what they are doing, and knock on wood, that's what's happening."

Dr. Williams concluded, “A few players have had to come and go for personal reasons and for some medical reasons, but on a whole, most of the players there, if you have a mild injury, there's the ability to receive medical treatment and imaging. Everything that would normally be carried off in a regular NBA season is available there from food, training, practicing, medical care, etc. it is all within the bubble.”

This segment aired during the 5pm evening news hour on August 8, 2020. Watch the full segment at Foxnews.com.

Read the full article at NBA.com. 

Dr. Williams, who is also the Medical Director of the Brooklyn Nets, explains that his approach to patient care (regardless of if they are professional athletes or not) is to prioritize diagnostics and correctly identifying the root cause of problems right away. He calls out that pro athletes often have an urgency of timing.

“I'm very fortunate to work with organizations that put a high priority on player health, and just prioritizing player health as a sound kind of long-term strategy with regards to their players,” he says.

Dr. Williams explains how pro teams now utilize sports scientists, nutritionists, and strength and conditioning coaches all working together to boost performance.

When asked about adjusting while providing medical care during COVID-19, Dr. Williams discusses how he crafted scenarios to give advice and monitor via telehealth especially during the height of the pandemic. “We've been re-acculturated and re-focused over these past three months to now accept these remote health encounters much more than we were back in March,” he says.

Read the full article at SI.com.

Of his relationship with the team, Dr. Williams noted, “I’m genuinely interested in you guys [players]. There’s no way, shape or form when I was your age or younger that I thought this would happen. And it’s sort of happened organically, and the interest is genuine to me. I treat you like family. And try to give you best advice I can.”

Watch the full interview at Netsdaily.com.

The medical team has been in constant communications with the players and monitoring their health. Beyond the crisis response, the medical team has played an integral role in keeping players healthy and gauging the health of potential free agents for draft picks. In addition to Dr. Williams, HSS foot and ankle surgeon, Martin J. O’Malley, MD, serves as the team’s orthopedic surgeon. 

Read the full article at Netsdaily.com.