physicians

About the Physicians

In 2003, more than 800,000 hip and knee replacement surgeries were performed in the United States – helping to change patients’ lives and alleviate their pain. Meet the three orthopaedic specialists who performed the surgeries on the four patients featured in the documentary. Each of these surgeons received intensive training in adult reconstructive surgery and have been in practice for many years, helping thousands of patients to regain their mobility.

Clifford W. Colwell, Jr., M.D.

  • Director, Musculoskeletal Center of Excellence, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, Calif.
  • Adjunct clinical professor, Department of Basic Science and Clinical Research, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla
  • Clinical professor, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine
  • Director, Scripps Center for Orthopaedic Research and Education

Chitranjan S. Ranawat, M.D.

  • Chairman, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City
  • Professor, Clinical Orthopedic Surgery, Weill Medical College at Cornell University, the New York Hospital and Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City
  • Chairman, Ranawat Orthopaedic Center and Ranawat Orthopaedic Research Foundation at Lenox Hill Hospital.

Thomas P. Sculco, M.D.

  • Surgeon-in-Chief, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City
  • Director of Orthopaedic Surgery and chief of the Arthritis Service, Hospital for Special Surgery
  • Director, Residency Program, Hospital for Special Surgery

Patient Information

In this section you can search for an orthopedic specialist in your area, view a list of other educational websites, and find out what you need to know during your next doctor visit. Click the links on the right to begin.


See Also