Alexander McLawhorn, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and joint reconstruction specialist at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), has been named a 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, marking the first time he has received this prestigious designation. Only 7 percent of the nation's licensed physicians are selected as Castle Connolly Top Doctors for their specialties in their regions each year.
Dr. McLawhorn practices at HSS, which is recognized nationally as a Gold Standard Top Hospital for hip and knee replacement surgery. He has offices and surgical facilities in both New York City and Stamford, serving residents throughout the tri-state area, including Greenwich, Fairfield County, and Southern Connecticut.
Dr. McLawhorn specializes in direct anterior total hip replacement, particularly the integration of the bikini incision anterior approach with robotic-assisted total hip arthroplasty. This technique avoids cutting through major muscles, and as Dr. McLawhorn explains, 'The bikini incision follows the natural inguinal skin crease, providing a cosmetically appealing, low-profile scar. This method is designed to facilitate faster functional recovery, reduce postoperative pain, and lower the risk of dislocation.'
His expertise also includes robotic and computer-assisted hip replacement, hip resurfacing, partial knee replacement, minimally invasive total knee replacement, and rapid-recovery joint replacement. Dr. McLawhorn performs over 600 joint replacements and more than 400 robotic hip surgeries annually, making him one of the most experienced surgeons in the country. 'When combined with robotic assistance, surgeons can achieve precise and accurate implant positioning and leg length restoration, optimizing hip biomechanics and joint stability,' he says. 'This precision lowers the risk of dislocation and leg length discrepancy — two of the most common concerns after hip replacement.'
Dr. McLawhorn earned his Doctor of Medicine from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery and his fellowship in adult reconstruction and joint replacement at Hospital for Special Surgery. He serves as an Assistant Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College and as the Director of Research and Innovation for Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement at HSS. He is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.
Castle Connolly Top Doctors are nominated by peer physicians and selected by the physician-led Castle Connolly research team. The selection process considers medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories. Doctors do not and cannot pay to be selected. The list is published at castleconnolly.com and in various print and online partner publications.
