Surgical Mastery You Can Trust
Dr. McLawhorn is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and has dedicated his career entirely to hip and knee replacement. Performing over 600 procedures annually, he has encountered virtually every scenario and complexity that a joint replacement surgeon can face, enabling him to navigate even the most challenging cases with confidence and precision.
Research consistently shows that surgeon volume directly impacts patient outcomes. When you choose a high-volume, highly specialized surgeon like Dr. McLawhorn, you are choosing the highest probability of a successful result.
"Seeing joint replacement up close in medical school — the gratitude, how much patients' lives changed in a short time — that's when I knew this is what I wanted to do. What keeps me driven is the tangible impact. We can measurably change someone's life in a relatively short period of time."
— Alexander McLawhorn, MD
Innovation Grounded in Evidence
Dr. McLawhorn is at the forefront of orthopedic innovation. He employs the latest techniques, technologies, and implants only when research proves they genuinely enhance outcomes. His dual MD/MBA training from Columbia University gives him a uniquely analytical lens: he brings academic rigor to every decision, ensuring that what's cutting-edge is also what's best for you.
Areas of Particular Expertise
Direct anterior total hip replacement (THR), including the bikini incision approach
Robot-assisted hip replacement — with 400+ procedures annually, he is among the nation's most experienced surgeons
Computer-assisted and navigation-guided knee and hip replacement
Hip resurfacing for younger, active patients
Rapid-recovery joint replacement protocols
Advancing the Science of Joint Replacement
As the Director of Research and Innovation for the Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Service at Hospital for Special Surgery, and an Assistant Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, Dr. McLawhorn is not just performing world-class surgery — he is helping shape its future.
His research focuses on improving healthcare delivery, quality, and safety in joint replacement. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and presents his work nationally and internationally. His current mission: helping surgeons worldwide elevate the value and outcomes of arthritis care for their patients. The research he conducts directly informs the care you receive.
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BA in Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology — Yale University
Doctor of Medicine — Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
MBA — Columbia Business School
Residency in Orthopedic Surgery — Hospital for Special Surgery
Fellowship in Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement — Hospital for Special Surgery
Board Certified — American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
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Top Surgeon at HSS by Volume and Experience for Joint Replacement in New York State (2022)
"Best Value" for Joint Replacement in NYC — Best Outcomes (2022)
Most Experienced in Hip and Knee Replacement in the US, New York, and Connecticut (2023)
2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctor
Crain's New York Business "Notable in Health Care" Honoree (2021)
Recipient of the Frank Stinchfield Award from The Hip Society
AAHKS Best Poster Award, Health Policy (2023)
Health Policy Fellow, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons
Director of Research and Innovation, Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Service, HSS
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American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons
Orthopaedic Research Society
Eastern Orthopaedic Association
Societe Internationale de Chirurgie Orthopedique et de Traumatologie
New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons
AOA Emerging Leaders Program
The Experience Our Patients Describe
Our patients consistently report being surprised by how little pain they experienced and how quickly they recovered. Many are walking within days and back to normal activities within weeks — returning to the sports, travel, and everyday moments that pain had taken from them.