Top-rated hospitals for joint replacement: Evidence, rankings, and patient considerations

Top-rated hospitals for joint replacement are identified through several different systems rather than one universal national list. Recent reporting highlights orthopedic leaders, Healthgrades award recipients, patient-experience distinctions, and Blue Distinction Center designations, each measuring different aspects of hip and knee replacement care.

How hospital rankings are measured

Hospital ratings can reflect clinical outcomes, complication rates, readmissions, patient feedback, professional opinions, or specialty-specific safety measures. Newsweek’s 2026 specialized-care methodology combined a nationwide survey of medical professionals and hospital managers with patient-experience data, patient-reported outcomes, and specialty safety and quality measures. Healthgrades evaluates risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates across more than 30 conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals. 13

Hospitals recognized for national orthopedic performance

Hospital for Special Surgery in New York was named No. 1 in orthopedics in Newsweek’s “America’s Best Hospitals for Specialized Care 2026.” The same report said HSS was also recognized for neurological care, while its Lerner Children’s Pavilion appeared among America’s Best Children’s Hospitals for pediatric orthopedics. The recognition applies to orthopedic performance broadly, so it should not automatically be interpreted as a ranking for every individual joint procedure or patient profile. 1

Cleveland Clinic was reported as a 2026 to 2027 U.S. News Best Hospitals Honor Roll institution and ranked nationally in orthopedics at No. 21, tied. The hospital was also nationally ranked in 13 of 14 specialties and received high-performing ratings in 20 adult procedures and conditions. Such broad institutional rankings may be relevant for patients with complex medical needs, but they do not replace procedure-specific outcome review or consultation with an orthopedic specialist. 8

Healthgrades joint replacement distinctions

Several hospitals and systems in the supplied reporting received specific Healthgrades joint replacement recognition. Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center in Ohio was named one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement for the fifth consecutive year and received the Joint Replacement Excellence Award for six consecutive years, placing it in the reported top 5% nationally for that category. It also received a five-star total knee replacement designation for 16 consecutive years. 6

Regional leaders and patient experience

River’s Edge Hospital was reported as Minnesota’s No. 1 facility for joint replacement for 2026 and as having earned that Healthgrades distinction for three consecutive years. Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, Sutter’s Novato Community Hospital, and Mills-Peninsula Medical Center were identified among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement in the system’s 2026 announcement. These results show why regional comparisons matter: a hospital can be highly recognized within a state or network without appearing at the top of every national orthopedic ranking. 23

Patient experience is a separate dimension of quality. Mather Hospital’s total hip and knee replacement program is described as Joint Commission-certified, and the hospital reported six consecutive Healthgrades Outstanding Patient Experience Awards from 2021 through 2026. That award places hospitals among the top 15% nationally based on patient feedback collected through HCAHPS surveys and reported to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 510

Safety, eligibility, and outcome indicators

Blue Distinction Center+ recognition focuses on hospitals and ambulatory centers demonstrating patient-safety expertise, better health outcomes, and cost-effectiveness. Sanford USD Medical Center received the designation for knee and hip replacement through Wellmark’s Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. The report states that designated facilities average 21% fewer readmissions and 21% fewer complications within 90 days, along with 30% lower costs compared with other facilities in that specialty category. 712

• Confirm whether the recognition applies to total hip replacement, total knee replacement, or both.
• Check the award year and whether it covers the current surgical program.
• Review complication, readmission, mortality, and patient-experience measures separately.
• Ask whether the facility and surgeon meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

New York and California examples

Long Island Jewish Valley Stream was reported as one of New York State’s top hospitals for joint replacement after Healthgrades ratings. The LIJ campuses were described as No. 2 statewide and among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement. The report also identified North Shore University Hospital and Syosset Hospital among Northwell Health facilities on the national list. The program’s reported development included process redesign, rehabilitation coordination, and attention to the broader patient experience. 9

Sutter’s Novato Community Hospital was reported as No. 5 in California for joint replacement and among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement. It also received a five-star total knee replacement rating for four consecutive years from 2023 through 2026 and a five-star total hip replacement rating for three consecutive years from 2024 through 2026. Those distinctions are useful historical indicators, but rankings can change as methodologies, reporting periods, and hospital performance change. 4

How to interpret a hospital’s reputation

A hospital’s ranking is only one part of a joint replacement decision. Procedure volume, surgeon experience, accreditation, rehabilitation arrangements, infection-prevention practices, complication reporting, and follow-up access can affect the practical experience of care. Medicare’s Care Compare tool provides public hospital quality information, while Joint Commission advanced certification addresses total hip and total knee replacement program standards. These resources are designed for comparison, not as guarantees of an individual outcome. 1011

Patients should also account for eligibility and logistical limits. A designation may apply only to selected procedures, participating surgeons, insured patients, or a specific hospital campus. Travel, postoperative monitoring, physical therapy, medical comorbidities, and revision-surgery needs can change which facility is appropriate. The supplied rankings therefore support a structured review of evidence, but they do not establish that one hospital is universally superior for every joint replacement candidate.

Sources

1. Hospital for Special Surgery, HSS News
2. Orthopaedic & Fracture Clinic and River’s Edge Hospital
3. Sutter Health Vitals, Specialty Excellence Awards
4. Sutter Health Vitals, Orthopedic Care Honors
5. Mather Hospital, Total Joint Replacement Program
6. PR Newswire, Crystal Clinic Healthgrades Recognition
7. Sanford Health News, Blue Distinction Center+
8. Cleveland Clinic Newsroom, Best Hospitals Recognition
9. Herald Community Newspapers, LIJ Valley Stream
10. The Joint Commission, Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement Certification
11. Medicare.gov, Care Compare
12. Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Distinction Specialty Care