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About Dr. Ricci
Dr. William M. Ricci is Chief of the Orthopaedic Trauma Service at Hospital for Special Surgery and NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital. He holds the academic and administrative titles of Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Vice Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery, Deputy Chief of Orthopaedics, and Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship Director.
Dr. Ricci specializes in orthopaedic trauma surgery, with a clinical focus on the treatment of fractures, fracture nonunions, and infections associated with nonunion. His practice encompasses fractures and nonunions of the upper and lower extremities as well as the pelvis. He is nationally and internationally recognized for his surgical expertise and leadership in the field. Dr. Ricci has been honored by his peers as a Best Orthopaedic Traumatologist in the United States and in North America. He has been listed in Marquis Who’s Who in Medicine and named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor annually since 2012, a Best Orthopaedic Doctor since 2009, and one of “America’s Top Physicians” by the Consumers’ Research Council of America.
Dr. Ricci earned his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering and his medical degree from Duke University. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Hospital for Special Surgery, followed by fellowship training in orthopaedic trauma surgery at Tampa General Hospital and the Florida Orthopaedic Institute. Prior to returning to HSS, he served as Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chief of the Orthopaedic Trauma Service, and Vice Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Dr. Ricci’s research centers on the treatment of fractures and fracture nonunions. He has presented his work nationally and internationally and has authored more than 125 peer-reviewed publications, over 25 book chapters, and multiple surgical technique videos. He has chaired numerous surgical skills courses and is a frequent invited lecturer worldwide.
In recognition of his clinical expertise and academic accomplishments, Dr. Ricci currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, the premier journal in the field, and as Editor of Rockwood and Green’s Textbook of Fractures in Adults, the leading textbook in orthopaedic trauma. His professional leadership includes serving as President of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Orthopaedic Association. He has also represented the United States internationally as an American–British–Canadian Traveling Fellow.
Profile Video
Special Expertise
Complex fractures and dislocations
Fractures of the upper extremity (clavicle, shoulder, upper arm, humerus, elbow, forearm, radius, ulna, olecranon, etc.)
Fractures of the lower extremity (hip, femur, thigh, knee, patella, tibial plateau, tibia, fibula, ankle, foot, calcaneus, talus, etc.)
Fractures of the pelvis and acetabulum
Nonunions (unhealed fractures, especially those of the tibia, humerus, femur, and clavicle)
Malunions (poorly healed or crooked fractures, especially those requiring corrective osteotomies)
Infections associated with fractures
Osteomyelitis (infections of bone)
Fractures of the upper extremity (clavicle, shoulder, upper arm, humerus, elbow, forearm, radius, ulna, olecranon, etc.)
Fractures of the lower extremity (hip, femur, thigh, knee, patella, tibial plateau, tibia, fibula, ankle, foot, calcaneus, talus, etc.)
Fractures of the pelvis and acetabulum
Nonunions (unhealed fractures, especially those of the tibia, humerus, femur, and clavicle)
Malunions (poorly healed or crooked fractures, especially those requiring corrective osteotomies)
Infections associated with fractures
Osteomyelitis (infections of bone)
Procedures
Fracture fixation
Open reduction internal fixation of fractures
External fixation
Internal fixation
Intramedullary nailing
Nonunion repair
Malunion repair
Taylor Spatial Frame
Ilizarov
Osteotomy
Total hip arthroplasty
Total elbow arthroplasty
Fusions
Open reduction internal fixation of fractures
External fixation
Internal fixation
Intramedullary nailing
Nonunion repair
Malunion repair
Taylor Spatial Frame
Ilizarov
Osteotomy
Total hip arthroplasty
Total elbow arthroplasty
Fusions
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Videos
Patient ratings for Dr. Ricci
Insurance
If your insurance is not listed, please call our office if you have questions regarding your insurance coverage. If you have out-of-network benefits, then your insurance may reimburse you for a portion of your office visit.
Credentials
Appointments
Chief, Orthopedic Trauma Service, Hospital for Special Surgery
Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon, Hospital for Special Surgery
Chief, Orthopedic Trauma Service, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College
President, Orthopedic Trauma Association
Certifications
American Board of Orthopaedic SurgeonsAwards
Presidential Guest, Canadian Orthopaedic Association, 2017Presidential Guest, Dutch Orthopaedic Association, 2017
Presidential Guest, German Orthopaedic Association, 2017
Top 19 Best Orthopaedic Traumatologists in the North America, 2016
Top 29 Orthopaedic Traumatologists in the US, 2012
Best Doctor's in St Louis, 2009-2016
Marquis Who's Who in Medicine, 2012-2016
Castle Connolly Top Doctor, 2012-2016
America's Top Physicians by Consumers'
Research Council of America, 2015
Orthopaedic Trauma Association Highlight Paper Award, 2016, 2012, 2007, 2004
Leadership Award, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, 2011
Bovill Award for Best Paper, Orthopaedic Trauma Association, 2011
Best Poster Award, American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2010
Palma Chironis Award for Resident Teaching Excellence, 2008
American British Canadian (ABC) Travelling Fellowship, 2007
Winquist Cup Award-Best Lab Leader, 2001
Education
Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 1986-1992Residency
Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, 1993-1997Fellowship
Florida Orthopaedic Institute & Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, FL, 1997-1998State Licensure
New York
Languages
EnglishFor My Patients
Publications by Dr. Ricci
Patient Education
Selected Journal Articles
Selected Books/Chapters
Ricci WM, Bolhofner B: Principles of Nonunion Treatment. Wolters Klumer. Rockwood and Green's Fractures in Adults, 8th Edition, Chapter 27, pp 827-867, 2014.
Ricci WM: Periprosthetic Fractures. Wolters Klumer. Rockwood and Green's Fractures in Adults, 8th Edition, Chapter 23, pp 691-765, 2014.
Ricci WM, Mehta S: Tibial Plateau Fractures and Extensor Mechanism Injuries. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 11, Chapter 37, pp 521-535, 2014.
Jo MJ, Ricci WM, Gardner MJ: Joint Preserving Surgical Techniques for Posttraumatic Hip Disorders. Wolters Klumer. The Adult Hip: Hip Preservation Surgery, 3rd Edition, Chapter 59, pp 707-724, 2014.
Merriman DJ, Ricci WM: Supracondylar Femur Fractures. Orthopaedic Trauma Call for the Attending Surgeon. Slack, Inc. Chapter 31, pp 239-247, 2013.
Jahangir AA, Ricci WM: Distal Femur Fractures. Orthopaedic Traumatology: An Evidence Based Approach. Springer. Chapter 17, pp 247-259, 2012.
Siegel, J, Tornetta P, Borrelli J, Kregor PJ, Ricci WM: Locked and Minimally Invasive Plating. Instructional Course Lecture: Trauma 2. Chapter 9, pp 107-122, 2012.
Ricci WM, Gruen GS, Summers H, Siska PA. Fractures of the Femoral Diaphysis. Orthopaedic Knowledge Update: Trauma 4. Chapter 33, pp 431-444, 2010.
Ricci WM, Risko T: ORIF of the Bicondylar Plateau. Operative Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery. Volume 1, Section II Femur and Knee, Chapter 13, pp 613-621, 2010.
Bolhofner B, Ricci WM: Principles of Nonunion Treatment. Rockwood and Green's, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Volume 1, Chapter 25, pp 641-663, 2010.
Selected Presentations
Management of Geriatric Acetabular Fractures, Dutch Orthopaedic Trauma Society, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2017
Management of Ankle Fractures, Annual DKOU Meeting, Berlin, Germany, 2017
Management of Syndesmotic Injuries, Annual Sign Meeting, Richland WA, 2017
Development of a Geriatric Fracture Service, Canadian Orthopaedic Association, Ottawa, Canada, 2017
Trauma Revalidation: Now What? Tips from the top – Go High, Suprapatellar Tibial Nails. British Orthopaedic Association, Belfast, United Kingdom, 2016
Winning the Race to Fracture Healing. Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 2014
Treatment of Periprosthetic Femur Fractures. UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 2011
Winning the Race to Fracture Healing. G. Richard Paul Distinguished Lecturer, Boston Medical Center, Boston MA, 2010
Winning the Race to Fracture Healing. Duke University, Durham, NC, 2010
Research
For more than 20 years, Dr. Ricci has been engaged in state-of-the-art biomedical research related to fracture treatments and fracture healing. He has studied fractures of almost every bone in the body, won multiple awards for research and been the recipient of many peer-reviewed grants including from the Department of Defense. Of particular interest, are the studies to determine the optimal bio-mechanical environment to promote reliable fracture healing. Some of this research has led to new or improved procedures that are used in current clinical practice worldwide.
Dr Ricci is also involved in patient-related outcomes research. Many of these studies involve collaborations with other researchers from across the nation. The goals of these studies are to maximize functional outcomes and minimize pain and disability for patients.
In addition, Dr Ricci's engineering background has led to involvement in the design of new and improved fracture fixation systems, in which he has been awarded multiple patents.
Clinical Trials / Research Studies
Industry Relationships
HSS has a long history of supporting appropriate relationships with industry because they advance HSS's mission to provide the highest quality patient care, improve patient mobility, and enhance the quality of life for all, and to advance the science of orthopedic surgery, rheumatology, and their related disciplines through research and education.
Below are the healthcare industry relationships reported by Dr. Ricci as of April 22, 2026.
- AONA- Research Support
- Blue Box Docs, LLC - Ownership Interest
- Cable Fix LLC - Ownership Interest
- COTA- Research Support
- Foundation for Orthopedic Trauma - Research Support
- Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) - Board of Trustees
- HS2, LLC - Ownership Interest
- HSS ASC Development Network, LLC - Ownership Interest
- Joint Effort Administrative Services Organization, LLC (“JEASO”) - Ownership Interest- (Through JEASO- de minimis owner of the Recovery Shop)
- McGinley Orthopaedic Innovations, LLC - Ownership Interest
- Metrc- Research Support
- Orthopaedic Trauma Association - Board Member
- OsteoCentric - Royalties
- Primo MC LLC - Ownership Interest
- Smith & Nephew - Consultant; Royalties; Research Support
- Wolters Kluwer - Editorial Board; Royalties
HSS and its physicians make this information available to patients and the public, thus creating a transparent environment for those who are interested in this information. Further, the HSS Conflicts of Interest and Commitment Policy prohibits physicians from collecting royalties on products they develop that are used on patients at HSS. Patients should feel free to ask their HSS physicians questions about these relationships.