Having traversed the corridors and operating rooms of the NYC orthopedic community for two decades, I feel confident of my understanding of the field overall. Regarding surgeons, I have seen the very best and some versions of the worst. I have enjoyed and dreaded appointments, experiencing both compassion and disregard, anger and humor - and, of course, huge egos. To date, I have undergone: two hip replacements; two knee replacements; one knee revision; and one laminectomy. Needless to say, I have had countless x-rays, special studies with contrast, at least a dozen cortisone injections, several aspirations and one transfusion. I have been operated on by big names, rising stars and department heads at the two best orthopedic hospitals in NYC. I share this background solely for the purpose of placing my very high regard for Ran Schwarzkopf, M.D. into a verifiable context. He is a consummate professional, not near the apex his career, and yet vastly experienced in specific orthopedic conditions and diseases of knees and hips. When you meet with Dr. Schwarzkopf, he is on time - the same with online responses, which are seemingly immediate. He shows no sign of ego, rather he brings a bias to action relative to the concerns of the patient, but without any 'sales' effort whatsoever. Full disclosure, I have not had surgery with Dr. Schwarzkopf, but he is aware of my history and has, without exception, made himself available as I work through the aches and pains of an aging body and some joint replacements reaching retirement age! No one wants a to have a body part replaced, a procedure that is both an imperative, while also elective. It is the rare physician who can navigate this complex terrain with such impeccability as Dr. Schwarzkopf. Clearly, I very much wish I had met him at the beginning of my orthopedic journey - for he is the real deal - five stars! read more