Orthopedic Surgeons: Top Procedures, Stats, and How to Find the Right Specialist (2026 Guide)
November 30, 2025 · by the Help Me Find A Doctor editorial team
A patient-friendly guide to orthopedic surgeons — what specialists do, the most common procedures (total knee and total hip replacement, acl reconstruction, rotator cuff repair), and what to look for when choosing one.
Joints, sports injuries, and reconstructive orthopedic surgery. Below: the procedures patients ask about most, the numbers that put the field in context, and the questions worth raising at a first consultation with a orthopedic surgeons specialist.
Top procedures & treatments
Total knee and total hip replacement
Among the most successful operations in modern medicine.
ACL reconstruction
Most common ligament surgery in young athletes.
Rotator cuff repair
Arthroscopic shoulder reconstruction.
Spine surgery
Decompression, fusion, and disc replacement.
Fracture care and trauma
Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) for displaced fractures.
By the numbers
- ~790,000 total knee replacements are performed annually in the U.S.
- Hip-replacement patients have ~95% satisfaction at 10 years.
- Orthopedic surgery is one of the highest-volume surgical specialties — 7+ million procedures per year.
How to choose the right specialist
Verify board certification, ask how many of your specific procedure the clinician performs each year, and review patient outcomes — not just star ratings. A orthopedic surgeons provider who clearly explains your options, the evidence, and the realistic recovery timeline is worth more than the most heavily advertised name.
Use our directory to filter orthopedic surgeons specialists by city, then bring this article (and the FAQ below) to your consultation.
Frequently asked questions
When should I consider joint replacement?
When pain limits daily activity despite weight management, physical therapy, and injections.
Robotic vs traditional knee replacement?
Robotics improve component alignment; long-term outcomes are similar in skilled hands.
Topics covered