Hip and knee replacements are among the most common operations in the United States, and spine surgery and sports injuries add many more orthopedic procedures each year. For most people, a good local hospital is the right choice. But for complex joint replacements, revision surgery or difficult spine problems, the hospital and surgeon you choose can make a meaningful difference. This guide covers the top orthopedic hospitals for 2026-2027 and the practical steps to get the best outcome.
The top orthopedic hospitals in the USA
U.S. News & World Report published its 2026-2027 orthopedics rankings on August 4, 2026, as part of its annual Best Hospitals study. Scores are out of 100.
| Rank | Hospital | Location | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hospital for Special Surgery | New York, NY | 89.7 |
| 2 | NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital | New York, NY | 86.4 |
| 3 | Mayo Clinic | Rochester, MN | 80.7 |
| 4 | NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital–Columbia and Cornell | New York, NY | 80.4 |
| 5 | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center | Los Angeles, CA | 79.1 |
| 6 | UCSF Health–UCSF Medical Center | San Francisco, CA | 73.3 |
| 7 | Northwestern Medicine–Northwestern Memorial Hospital | Chicago, IL | 72.4 |
| 8 | Stanford Health Care–Stanford Hospital | Palo Alto, CA | 70.0 |
| 9 | Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush University Medical Center | Chicago, IL | 69.2 |
| 10 | Brigham and Women’s Hospital | Boston, MA | 68.7 |
Just outside the top 10 are Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu (68.6) and UCLA Medical Center and Orthopedic Hospital in Santa Monica (67.7).
Hospital for Special Surgery has again ranked No. 1, a position it has held for many years. Three of the top four orthopedic programs are in New York City.
How the rankings work
For 2026-2027, U.S. News revised its method so that about 80 percent of a hospital’s score comes from risk-adjusted patient outcomes, such as complications, readmissions, survival and how often patients go home rather than to a facility. About 10 percent comes from patient experience. In orthopedics, data from procedures such as hip replacement, knee replacement and spinal fusion feed into the results. U.S. News also launched new regional rankings for orthopedics and rehabilitation this year, which make it easier to find strong programs closer to home.
A closer look at the top three
1. Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), New York
HSS is a specialty hospital focused almost entirely on orthopedics and rheumatology. Its surgeons perform very large numbers of hip, knee, shoulder and spine operations each year, and high volume is linked to better results for many procedures. HSS is also known for sports medicine, complex revision surgery and specialized anesthesia for orthopedic patients.
2. NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York
NYU Langone’s dedicated orthopedic hospital ranks No. 2 nationally. It covers the full range of orthopedic care, from joint replacement and spine surgery to hand surgery, sports medicine and orthopedic oncology. NYU Langone also ranks No. 1 in the country for both cardiology and neurology in 2026-2027.
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3. Mayo Clinic, Rochester
Mayo Clinic ranks No. 3 and is a leading destination for complex joint replacement, revision surgery, spine conditions and orthopedic problems combined with other medical issues. Its integrated model means orthopedic surgeons work closely with cardiologists, endocrinologists and other specialists, which helps higher-risk patients.
What makes a great joint replacement program
Whether you choose a nationally ranked hospital or a local one, look for:
- High surgeon volume. Ask how many of your specific procedure the surgeon performs each year. Surgeons and hospitals that do more tend to have fewer complications and revisions.
- Low complication and readmission rates. Ask for the hospital’s infection, blood clot and readmission rates.
- Joint replacement certification. Programs accredited by The Joint Commission or similar bodies follow standardized care pathways.
- Enhanced recovery protocols. These include nerve blocks and pain plans that reduce opioid use, early walking, and same-day or next-day discharge for suitable patients.
- Physical therapy integration. Rehabilitation planning should start before surgery.
Outpatient joint replacement
Many healthy patients now have hip and knee replacements as outpatients, going home the same day, either from a hospital or an ambulatory surgery center. Medicare covers total knee and hip replacements in the outpatient setting. Same-day surgery can be safe and convenient for the right patients, but it is not suitable for everyone, especially people with significant heart or lung disease or limited help at home.
Do you need surgery yet?
Joint replacement is usually considered when arthritis pain significantly affects your daily life and has not improved with non-surgical treatment, such as physical therapy, weight loss, anti-inflammatory medicines and injections. For spine problems, most back pain and many cases of sciatica improve without surgery. A second opinion from a high-volume center is worth getting before major spine surgery.
Insurance and Medicare coverage
Check network status first. If the hospital, surgeon and anesthesia group are in your plan’s network, your costs for covered care are limited by your out-of-pocket maximum. For 2026, Marketplace plans cannot exceed $10,600 for an individual or $21,200 for a family, and most employer plans follow the same federal limit. A joint replacement often uses up much of that limit, so plan around your deductible and maximum.
Get prior authorization. Most insurers require approval before joint replacement or spine surgery. Ask your surgeon’s office to confirm in writing.
Medicare. Original Medicare covers medically necessary joint replacement. For an inpatient stay in 2026, Part A has a $1,736 deductible per benefit period. Surgeon and outpatient services fall under Part B, with a $283 deductible and 20 percent coinsurance. A Medigap plan can cover much of that. If you go to a skilled nursing facility after surgery, Medicare covers it only after a qualifying inpatient stay of at least three days, so confirm whether you were formally admitted or kept “under observation.” Medicare Advantage plans have networks and in-network out-of-pocket limits of no more than $9,250 in 2026.
Traveling for surgery. Some large employers offer “centers of excellence” programs that cover travel and surgery costs at selected high-quality hospitals, often with lower out-of-pocket costs. Ask your HR department or insurer.
Preparing for surgery
- Get as fit as you can, with “prehab” exercises and, if needed, weight loss
- Stop smoking, which raises the risk of wound infections and poor healing
- Bring blood sugar under control if you have diabetes
- Have dental problems treated beforehand to reduce infection risk
- Arrange help at home for the first one to two weeks
The bottom line
Hospital for Special Surgery, NYU Langone, Mayo Clinic, NewYork-Presbyterian and Cedars-Sinai lead American orthopedic care in 2026-2027. Rankings are a useful starting point, but surgeon experience, complication rates, network status and rehabilitation support matter just as much. Ask questions, confirm coverage, and prepare well before surgery.
This article is for general information and is not medical or financial advice. Speak with your surgeon and insurer before planning treatment.