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. This is the first time Dr. McLawhorn has received this prestigious designation, which is awarded to only 7 percent of licensed physicians nationwide based on peer nominations and rigorous selection criteria.
Dr. McLawhorn practices in New York City and Stamford, Connecticut, serving patients across the tri-state area, including Greenwich, Fairfield County, and Southern Connecticut. His expertise includes direct anterior total hip replacement with the bikini incision approach, a technique that spares major muscles and uses a cosmetically appealing scar along the natural inguinal crease. He explains, "This method is designed to facilitate faster functional recovery, reduce postoperative pain, and lower the risk of dislocation."
Dr. McLawhorn also specializes in robotic-assisted hip replacement, hip resurfacing, partial knee replacement, and minimally invasive total knee replacement. He performs over 600 joint replacements annually, including more than 400 robotic hip surgeries. He notes that robotic assistance enables precise implant positioning and leg length restoration, "optimizing hip biomechanics and joint stability" while reducing the risk of dislocation and leg length discrepancy.
Dr. McLawhorn earned his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and completed his residency and fellowship at HSS. He is an Assistant Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College and serves as 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 selected by a physician-led research team based on nominations from peers, with criteria including medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary history. The list is published at castleconnolly.com and in partner publications.
This recognition underscores Dr. McLawhorn's contributions to advancing joint replacement surgery, particularly through the integration of robotic technology and minimally invasive techniques that aim to improve patient outcomes and recovery experiences.
