2026 HSS Limb Reconstruction Course

Reconstruction of Lower Extremity Critical Bone Defects

Friday, January 30, 2026 | 7:00 am - 4:30 pm

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Virtual or Onsite at Hospital for Special Surgery

535 East 70th Street, New York, NY 10021

Join Us for the 2026 HSS Limb Reconstruction Course!

Join us in-person in New York City for a full day of didactic sessions, expert-led discussions, and hands-on labs. Attendees will gain practical insights into selecting and executing the most appropriate technique for reconstruction of lower extremity critical bone defects based on defect type, patient factors, and available technology.

Agenda

January 30, 2026

01/30/2026 07:00 am

Grand Rounds -- Complex Limb Reconstruction using Classic Ilizarov Techniques

Prof. Maurizio A. Catagni, MD

01/30/2026 08:15 am

Opening Remarks

Austin T. Fragomen, MD

01/30/2026 08:20 am

Limb Alignment Principles When Reconstructing Bone Defects

Taylor J. Reif, MD

01/30/2026 08:45 am

Patient Selection Considerations for Bone Defect Management

Jason S. Hoellwarth, MD

01/30/2026 09:10 am

The Evolution of Bone Defect Reconstruction

S. Robert Rozbruch, MD

01/30/2026 09:40 am

Questions

01/30/2026 09:55 am

Break*

01/30/2026 10:10 am

Classic Ilizarov Techniques for Bone Defect Reconstruction

Prof. Maurizio A. Catagni, MD

01/30/2026 10:35 am

Balanced Cable Transport

Stephen J. Wallace, MD

01/30/2026 11:10 am

Lab 1: Cable Transport Lab

01/30/2026 12:10 pm

Lunch*

01/30/2026 01:00 pm

Intercalary Metal Bone Defect Reconstruction

Edward R. Westrick, MD

01/30/2026 01:30 pm

PABST and Bone Transport Nails

David Frumberg, MD, FAAOS

01/30/2026 02:00 pm

Questions

01/30/2026 02:15 pm

Lab 2: PABST and Bone Transport Nail Lab

01/30/2026 03:20 pm

Choosing the Right Reconstruction Technique

Mitchell Bernstein, MD, FRCSC, FAAOS

01/30/2026 03:50 pm

Choosing the Right Reconstruction Technique

Austin T. Fragomen, MD

01/30/2026 04:20 pm

Questions and Wrap Up

*Not designated for credit
Faculty and agenda are subject to change.

Program Faculty

Activity Directors

  • Austin T. Fragomen, MD
    Fellowship Director, Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Service Director, Limb Salvage and Amputation Reconstruction Center, Hospital Director, Limb Lengthening Clinic Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon
    Hospital for Special Surgery
    Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine
    Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
    New York, NY

  • Taylor J. Reif, MD
    Assistant Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon
    Hospital for Special Surgery
    Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
    Weill Cornell Medicine
    Assistant Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon
    NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
    New York, NY

  • S. Robert Rozbruch, MD
    Chief, Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction
    Director, Osseointegration Limb Replacement Center
    Attending Orthopedic Surgeon
    Hospital for Special Surgery
    Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
    Weill Cornell Medicine
    Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon
    NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
    President Emeritus
    Limb Lengthening & Reconstruction Society New York, NY

Guest Faculty

  • Mitchell Bernstein, MD, FRCSC, FAAOS
    Assistant Professor, Departments of Surgery & Pediatric Surgery
    McGill University
    Head, Pediatric Orthopaedic Trauma
    Montreal Children’s Hospital
    Co-Director, Limb Deformity Unit
    Shriners Hospital for Children – Canada
    Orthopaedic Trauma & Limb Deformity Surgery
    Montreal General Hospital
    Montreal, Quebec, Canada

  • Prof. Maurizio A. Catagni, MD
    Director and Chief of the Ilizarov Unit
    Department of Orthopaedics
    Alessandro Manzoni (G.B. Mangioni) Hospital
    Lecco, Italy

  • David Frumberg, MD, FAAOS
    Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation
    Co-Director, Yale Limb Restoration and Lengthening Program
    Director, Cerebral Palsy Program
    Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation
    Yale School of Medicine

  • Stephen J. Wallace, MD
    Orthopaedic Surgeon
    Summit Orthopaedics
    Lake Oswego, OR

  • Edward R. Westrick, MD
    Orthopaedic Surgeon
    Allegheny Health Network Orthopedic Institute
    Pittsburgh, PA

HSS Faculty

  • Jason S. Hoellwarth, MD
    Director of Research, Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Service
    Attending Orthopedic Surgeon
    Instructor in Orthopedic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College
    Assistant Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
    New York, NY

Target Audience

This activity is targeted to surgeons and physicians specializing in limb lengthening and complex reconstruction, pediatric orthopaedics, orthopaedic trauma, or musculoskeletal tumor and oncology, as well as residents and fellows. Physical therapists, podiatrists, prosthetists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, surgical technicians, and medical students may also benefit from attending this activity.

Accreditation and Credit Designation

Hospital for Special Surgery is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.


Hospital for Special Surgery designates this live activity for a maximum of 8.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Learning Objectives

Hospital for Special Surgery Continuing Education activities are intended to improve the quality of patient care and safety. At the conclusion of this course, the participant will be able to:
  • Evaluate bone defect characteristics to determine the most appropriate reconstruction technique for a given clinical scenario.
  • Demonstrate correct application of a cable bone transport frame for limb reconstruction.
  • Perform the insertion of an all-internal bone transport nail with proper technique and alignment.
  • Identify common pearls and pitfalls associated with bone reconstruction procedures to improve clinical decision-making and surgical outcomes.

Acknowledgements

Funding support for the 2026 HSS Limb Reconstruction Course is pending.

For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Martha O'Brasky-Crawley, Vice President, HSS Education Institute, at obraskym@hss.edu.


Important Event Information

Add Settings

For registration assistance or any other questions, contact HSS Continuing Education at 212.606.1057 or continuingeducation@hss.edu.

All registered participants will receive a confirmation via e-mail.

A handling fee will be deducted from the registration fee for cancellations. Refund requests must be received no later than one week prior to the course. No refund will be made thereafter.

Hospital for Special Surgery reserves the right to cancel this course. In the unlikely event the course is canceled, HSS will issue a full refund of the registration fee, but will not be responsible for any other charges incurred by the registrant due to the cancellation of the course.

This program may be recorded, filmed or photographed. By attending this program, you give permission to Hospital for Special Surgery to use your voice and likeness for any purpose (promotional, educational, or other), in any medium, and without remuneration of any kind to you.

Transportation

Airport: LaGuardia (LGA) is 8 miles northeast of the city. Kennedy International (JFK) is 15 miles southeast of the city. Newark International (EWR) is 16 miles southwest of the city.
Bus: M72, M31 stop at East 69th Street and York Avenue.
Subway: Nearest line is the Q train stop at East 72nd Street and Second Avenue or the 6 train stop at Lexington Avenue and 68th Street.
Car (FDR Drive): Driving south, exit at 71st Street. Driving north, exit at 63rd Street. Continue on York Avenue.


Parking and Accommodations

For information on parking and accommodations, please view our neighborhood directory. Local accommodations are limited and early reservations are recommended.