Orthopedic Trauma Service
The Orthopedic Trauma Service (OTS) at Hospital for Special Surgery is a world-renowned facility. We treat all fractures; including the upper extremity and lower extremity, pelvis, acetabulum and other bones and joints, isolated fractures/dislocations, and poly-trauma. Additionally, we treat non-unions and mal-unions including cases requiring deformity correction. For a complete list of conditions treated at Hospital for Special Surgery, please see Conditions We Treat.
Patients can schedule appointments through the individual medical office of each OTS Orthopaedic Surgeon. Please see the complete list of Orthopedic Trauma Surgeons to the right.
Patients can also arrive through the Emergency Room at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
A third option for patients coming to the OTS is through a hospital-to-hospital transfer. Once a patient has been accepted by the Hospital for Special Surgery OTS, a nurse coordinator will handle the transfer and all logistical issues.
Patients coming to Hospital for Special Surgery from overseas can contact The International Center for assistance and for any special needs that may be required.
Condition & Treatment Highlights
Conditions We Treat
Fractures of the Upper Extremity
- Shoulder
The joint of the body formed by bones and joints including the soft tissues by which the arm is connected with the trunk. - Clavicle
A bone of the (collarbone) pectoral girdle that articulates with the scapula and sternum bones. - Scapula
A large triangular bone (shoulder blade) that is at the back of the shoulder. - Upper Arm (humerus shaft)
The portion of the upper extremity including the humerus (upper arm bones) extending from the shoulder joint to the elbow joint. - Humerus
The long bone (upper arm) extending from the shoulder joint to the elbow joint. - Proximal Humerus
The upper portions of the humerus. - Elbow
The joint of the arm which connects the upper arm bone (humerus) with the forearm bones (radius and unla). - Forearm
The portion of the upper extremity including the radius and ulna (lower arm bones) extending from the elbow joint to the wrist joint. - Radius
The bone located on the thumb side of the forearm. - Distal Radius
The lower portion of the radius. - Ulna
The bone located on the ‘little-finger’ side of the forearm. - Wrist
The joint between the hand and arm (radius and ulna). - Hand
The terminal part of the forelimb that allows the grasping ability.
Fractures of the Lower Extremity
- Hip
The ball-and-socket joint formed by the head of the femur and the cup-shaped cavity of the acetabulum. Sometimes this term is used to refer specifically to the proximal femur.
- Femur (upper leg)
The upper bone of the lower extremity that extends from the hip joint to the knee joint. - Proximal Femur
The upper portion of the femur. - Distal Femur
The lower portion of the femur which forms the upper portion of the knee joint. - Knee
A joint in the middle part of the leg that articulates between the femur, tibia/fibula, and patella. - Patella
A thick triangular bone that is located in the front portion of the knee joint and provides knee stability and joint protection. - Tibial Plateau
The upper portion of the tibia which forms the bottom portion of the knee joint. - Tibia (lower leg)
The bone located in the inside portion of the lower leg which is the larger of the two bones between the knee and ankle joints. - Proximal Tibia
The upper portion of the tibia. - Distal Tibia
The lower portion of the tibia. - Pilon
The lower portion of the tibia which (with the distal fibula) forms the upper portion of the ankle joint. - Fibula
The bone located in the outside portion of the lower leg which is the smaller of the two bones between the knee and ankle joints. - Distal Fibula
The lower portion of the fibula which, together with the tibia, forms the ankle joint. - Ankle
The joint between the foot and the lower leg. - Talus
The bone that bears the weight of the body and forms the lower portion of the ankle joint. - Foot
The terminal part of the lower extremity upon which an individual stands.
Other Fractures and Conditions
- Pelvis
A basin-shaped structure, comprising the pubis in front and the sacrum and coccyx behind, that supports the weight of the upper body and transmits weight-bearing to the lower extremities. - Acetabulum
The cup-shaped cavity at the base of the pelvis into which the ball-shaped head of the femur fits (upper portion of the hip joint). - Polytrauma
A short verbal equivalent used for patients usually with two or more severe injuries in at least two areas of the body. - Non-union
Failure of a fracture to unite. - Mal-union
A bone which heals in a non-anatomic position (out of alignment). - Spine
The series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton that protects the spinal cord. - Pediatric
Pertaining to the medical treatment of infants and children. - Complete condition index
