About Dr. McLawhorn
Dr. Alexander McLawhorn provides individualized care to active adults who require joint replacement. He performs over 600 of these procedures every year. He uses the latest techniques, technologies, and implants to help his patients achieve their goals for recovery.
Dr. McLawhorn has particular expertise in direct anterior total hip replacement (THR), including the 'bikini incision', robot and computer-assisted hip replacement, hip resurfacing, and rapid-recovery joint replacement. He is among the nation's most experienced surgeons for robot-assisted direct anterior approach THR, performing more than 400 of these surgeries annually. In 2022, Dr. McLawhorn was recognized as the top surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery by volume and experience for joint replacement in New York State, and he was named the 'best value' for joint replacement in New York City, achieving the best outcomes for his patients.
Dr. McLawhorn and his dedicated staff are proud to offer access to this world-class care in Manhattan and Stamford, CT. Whether patients are local, national, or international, Dr. McLawhorn’s team provides a seamless and holistic surgical experience. His patients benefit from the latest technological advancements in soft tissue-sparing joint replacement surgery, including robotics, minimally invasive surgical approaches, cutting edge implants, partial replacements, novel bearing surfaces, and bone-conserving procedures.
After attending college at Yale University, Dr. McLawhorn attended medical school at Columbia University. He then completed his orthopedic surgery residency and joint replacement fellowship at Hospital for Special Surgery, where he earned multiple awards for excellence in orthopedic surgery and research.
Dr. McLawhorn is the Director of Research and Innovation for the Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Service at HSS. He believes that research, education, and leadership are central to the delivery of the highest quality, patient-centered, orthopedic care. He has authored numerous publications and presented his research nationally and internationally. He has earned multiple grants and research awards, including the prestigious Frank Stinchfield Award from the Hip Society. His current research is focused on helping other surgeons enhance the value of arthritis care that they provide to their patients.
Dr. McLawhorn holds regular office hours and provides surgical care in Manhattan and Stamford, CT.
Learn more about Dr. McLawhorn on https://www.drmclawhorn.com/
Profile Video
Special Expertise
Degenerative hip disease in young, active patients
Direct anterior/anterior approach hip replacement
Inguinal crease 'bikini incision' anterior approach hip replacement
Hip resurfacing (bone-preserving surface replacement of the hip)
Minimally invasive hip replacement
Robotic joint replacement surgery
Computer-assisted surgery
Videos
Insurance
If your insurance is not listed, please call our office if you have questions regarding your insurance coverage. If you have out-of-network benefits, then your insurance may reimburse you for a portion of your office visit. We will work with you and your insurance to minimize your out-of-pocket costs. Financial assistance may be available for patients in need.
Credentials
Appointments
Director of Research and Innovation, ARJR Service, Hospital for Special Surgery
Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, Hospital for Special Surgery
Assistant Professor, Orthopedic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College
Assistant Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
Affiliations
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American Orthopaedic Association
Orthopaedic Research Society
American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons
Société Internationale de Chirurgie Orthopédique et de Traumatologie
Eastern Orthopaedic Association
Certifications
Board Certified – American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS)
Awards
AAHKS Best Poster Award, Health Policy, 2023
Top Ranked Most Experienced in Hip and Knee Replacement in the US, New York, and Connecticut, 2023 (Dexur)
Best Poster Awardin the Revision Hip Clinical Category, 2021 AAHKS Annual Meeting
Crainâs New York Business 2021 'Notable in Health Care' Honoree
EOA/OREF Resident/Fellow Travel Grant, Eastern Orthopaedic Association
Research Excellence Award, Adult Reconstruction & Joint Replacement Fellowship, Hospital for Special Surgery
Frank Stinchfield Award, The Hip Society
Health Policy Fellow, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons
Lewis Clark Wagner, MD, Award for Excellence in Orthopaedic Clinical/Translational Research
OREF/RJOS/DePuy Research Grant in Women's Musculoskeletal Health
Distinguished Housestaff Award, Orthopedic Surgery, New York Weill Cornell Medical Center Alumni Council
Ranawat Award, Eastern Orthopaedic Association
ICJR Pan-Pacific American/European Research Award
American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) Emerging Leaders Program
First Prize in Clinical Medicine, Medical Society of the State of New York Symposium
Richard S. Laskin Research Award
Resident/Fellow Travel Grant Award, Eastern Orthopaedic Association
AAOS/OREF/ORS Clinician Scholar Career Development Program
Education
Undergraduate: Yale University
MBA: Columbia University Graduate School of Business
Medical: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Internship: Hospital for Special Surgery
NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center
Residency: Hospital for Special Surgery - Orthopedic Surgery
Fellowship: Hospital for Special Surgery - Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement
State Licensure
New York, Connecticut
Languages
EnglishFor My Patients
Patient Education
Please contact the Patient Education team Monday through Friday between 9:00am and 3:00pm at 212.606.1263 for general questions about your surgery and the educational materials you have received and accessed on the website.
Patient Forms
Publications by Dr. McLawhorn
Patient Education
Editorial Appointments
HSS Journal
Selected Journal Articles
Schairer WW, Padgett DE, Halsey D, Iorio R, Lane JM, McLawhorn AS. The Frank Stinchfield Award: Total Hip Arthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fracture Is Not A Typical DRG 470: A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2016 May 6. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 27154530
Fu MC, D'Ambrosia C, McLawhorn AS, Schairer WW, Padgett DE, Cross MB. Malnutrition Increases With Obesity and Is a Stronger Independent Risk Factor for Postoperative Complications: A Propensity-Adjusted Analysis of Total Hip Arthroplasty Patients. J Arthroplasty. 2016 May 6.[Epub ahead of print] PMID: 27237966
Nawabi DH, Degen RM, Fields K, McLawhorn AS, Ranawat AS, Sink EL, Kelly BT. Outcomes following Arthroscopic Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement for Patients with Borderline Hip Dysplasia. Am J Sports Med. 2016 Apr;44(4):1017-23. PMID: 26831630
McLawhorn AS, Southren D, Wang YC, Marx R, Dodwell E. Cost Effectiveness of Bariatric Surgery Prior to Total Knee Arthroplasty in the Morbidly Obese. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2016 Jan 20;98(2):e6. PMID: 26791039
McLawhorn AS, Levack A, Fields K, Sheha E, DelPizzo K, Sink EL. Epsilon-Aminocaproic Acid Does Not Reduce Blood Loss Associated With Periacetabular Osteotomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study. J Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2016 Mar;31(3):626-32. PMID: 26626774
McLawhorn AS, Potter HG, Cross MB, Lim W, Lee Y, Pellicci PM. Posterior Soft-Tissue Repair after Primary THA is Durable at Mid-term Follow-Up: A Prospective MRI Study. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2015 Oct;473(10):3183-9. PMID: 26047646
McLawhorn AS, Sculco PK, Weeks KD, Nam D, Mayman DJ. Targeting A New Safe Zone: A Step Towards Development of Patient-Specific Component Positioning in Hip Arthroplasty. Am J Orthop. 2015 Jun;44(6):270-6. PMID: 26046997
McLawhorn AS, Carroll KM, Blevins JL, Mayman DJ, Jerabek SA. Template-Directed Instrumentation Reduces Cost and Improves Efficiency for Total Knee Arthroplasty: An Economic Decision Analysis and Pilot Study. J Arthroplasty. 2015 Oct;30(10):1699-704. PMID: 26021908
McLawhorn AS, Beathe J, YaDeau J, Buschiazzo V, Purdue E, Sculco TP, Jules-Elysée K. Effects of Steroids on Thrombogenic Markers in Patients Undergoing Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective, Double-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial. J Orthop Res. 2015 Mar;33(3):412-6. PMID: 25565656
Maratt JD, Esposito CI, McLawhorn AS, Jerabek SA, Padgett DE, Mayman DJ. Pelvic Tilt in Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty: When Does it Matter? J Arthroplasty. 2015 Mar;30(3):387-91. PMID: 25453626
Selected Books/Chapters
McLawhorn AS, Windsor RE. TKA After Fractures About the Knee. In Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty. Edited by Bono JV and Scott RD. [In press]
McLawhorn AS, Marx RG. Orthopaedic Research. In OKU 12: Orthopaedic Knowledge Update. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. [In press]
Burns R, Zusman NL, Cross MB, McLawhorn AS, Frank RM, Haughom BD, Sculco PK, et al. (2015). Knee Reconstruction. In Passport for the Orthopedic Boards and FRCS Examination (pp. 777-833). Springer Paris.
Selected Presentations
McLawhorn AS, Levack A, Lee YY, Ge M, Do H, Lyman S, Dodwell ER. Bariatric Surgery Prior To Total Knee Arthroplasty Is Associated With Improved Short-Term Outcomes and Decreased Risk of Revision: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis of A New York Statewide Database. AOA Annual Meeting and Leadership Conferences. Seattle, WA. 2016.
Schairer WW, Padgett DE, Halsey D, Iorio R, Lane JM, McLawhorn AS. Total Hip Arthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fracture Versus Osteoarthritis: A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study. The Hip Society/AAHKS Winter (Open) Meeting. Orlando, FL. 2016.
Fu M, McLawhorn AS, Cross MB, Padgett DE. Hypoalbuminemia Is A Better Predictor Than Obesity Of Complications After Total Knee Arthroplasty. The Knee Society/AAHKS Winter (Open) Meeting. Orlando, FL. 2016.
Barlow BT, McLawhorn AS, Westrich GH. Dual Mobility Implants are Cost-Saving for Primary THA: A Cost-Utility Analysis Using Direct and Indirect Costs. 28th Annual Congress of the International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty. Vienna, Austria. 2015.
McLawhorn AS, Southren D, Wang YC, Marx R, Dodwell ER. Cost-effectiveness of Bariatric Surgery Prior to Total Knee Arthroplasty in the Morbidly Obese. AAOS Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, NV. 2015.
McLawhorn AS, Maratt JD, Carroll KM, Mayman DJ. EOS Imaging is Accurate for Preoperative Total Hip Arthroplasty Templating. ICJR Pan Pacific Orthopaedic Congress. Kona, HI. 2014.
McLawhorn AS, Weeks KD, Nam D, Sculco PK, Mayman DJ. Accuracy and Precision of Acetabular Component Placement with Imageless Navigation in Obese Patients. CAOS International Annual Conference. Milan, Italy. 2014.
McLawhorn AS, Southren DL, Lee Y, Dodwell ER, Figgie MP. Body Mass Index Classification Independently Predicts Utility of Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty. Hospital for Special Surgery 26th Annual Holiday Hip and Knee Course. New York, NY. 2014.
Research
Dr. McLawhorn has particular interests in health care delivery, quality, safety, and value. His current research is focused on projects that will help joint replacement surgeons enhance the value of arthritis care that they provide to their patients.
His research areas of interest include:
- Improving Value for Total Joint Replacement Patients
- Value-Based Payment Models
- Patient-Reported Outcomes
- Optimizing Outcomes for Total Joint Replacement
- Shared Decision-Making
- Enabling/New Technologies for Joint Replacement
Clinical Trials / Research Studies
Industry Relationships
HSS has a long history of supporting appropriate relationships with industry because they advance HSS's mission to provide the highest quality patient care, improve patient mobility, and enhance the quality of life for all, and to advance the science of orthopedic surgery, rheumatology, and their related disciplines through research and education.
Below are the healthcare industry relationships reported by Dr. McLawhorn as of June 14, 2024.
- Globus Medical, Inc, - Consultant; Anticipated Royalties
- HS2, LLC - Ownership Interest
- HSS ASC Development Network - Ownership Interest
- Joint Effort Administrative Services Organization, LLC - Ownership Interest
- VITALIS- Ownership Interest
HSS and its physicians make this information available to patients and the public, thus creating a transparent environment for those who are interested in this information. Further, the HSS Conflicts of Interest and Commitment Policy prohibits physicians from collecting royalties on products they develop that are used on patients at HSS. Patients should feel free to ask their HSS physicians questions about these relationships.