Best hospitals for knee surgery by state in the United States: 2026 rankings and regional performance data

Selecting a hospital for knee surgery requires understanding which facilities consistently deliver superior clinical outcomes, advanced surgical techniques, and comprehensive patient care across different regions. Rankings from Healthgrades and U.S. News provide data-driven insights into hospital performance for knee replacement and orthopedic procedures by state, helping patients and healthcare providers identify centers of orthopedic excellence nationwide. 1

Florida and California Lead National Orthopedic Rankings

Florida has emerged as the dominant state for orthopedic surgery, with 26 hospitals included on Healthgrades' Top 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery list for 2026, the most of any state. 1 This concentration reflects Florida's aging population, established orthopedic infrastructure, and specialized surgical centers. California follows with a substantial presence, featuring 18 hospitals on the same national list, including facilities such as Adventist Health Bakersfield, Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, and Providence St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica. 1 These hospitals demonstrate consistent excellence in back and neck surgery, spinal fusion, hip fracture treatment, hip replacement, and total knee replacement procedures.

The geographic distribution of top-ranked facilities reflects both population density and regional investment in orthopedic infrastructure. Colorado hosts three hospitals on the national list: HCA HealthONE SKY Ridge in Lone Tree and HCA HealthONE Swedish in Englewood, alongside Rose Women's Hospital in Denver. 1 This concentration in Florida and California underscores these states' role as anchors for orthopedic innovation and patient volume, though high-performing facilities exist in virtually every region of the country.

National Excellence Centers and Specialty Rankings

Beyond state-based counts, several hospitals have achieved national recognition as centers of orthopedic excellence. Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City ranks first nationally for orthopedic care and knee replacement surgery, with standout specialties in ACL reconstruction, ankle surgery, hip replacement, and knee replacement. 2 Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, ranks second nationally for orthopedic services, offering ACL reconstruction, ankle surgery, hip replacement, and knee replacement procedures with comprehensive nonsurgical orthopedic treatments. 2 NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital in New York City ranks third, specializing in ACL reconstruction, ankle surgery, hip replacement, and knee replacement surgery. 2

Additional top-tier facilities include Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, which ranks fourth nationally for orthopedic excellence, and Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, which ranks fifth and offers comprehensive services from ACL reconstruction to nonsurgical orthopedic treatments. 2 These institutions demonstrate that while state-level rankings provide useful geographic guidance, certain hospitals have achieved national prominence through sustained excellence, high surgical volumes, and investment in advanced technologies such as robotic-assisted surgery and precision imaging systems.

Texas and New York Hospital Performance

Texas Orthopedic Hospital in Houston has earned recognition as one of America's 50 Best Hospitals for Outpatient Joint Replacement and one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery and Joint Replacement in 2026. 4 The hospital achieved four Specialty Excellence Awards, placing it among the top 10 percent nationwide for Overall Orthopedic Services, Joint Replacement, Spine Surgery, and Outpatient Joint Replacement. 4 Additionally, Texas Orthopedic Hospital earned five-star ratings for Total Knee Replacement, Total Hip Replacement, Spinal Fusion Surgery, Back Surgery, Outpatient Total Knee Replacement, and Outpatient Total Hip Replacement, and was ranked number one in Texas for Joint Replacement for the fifth consecutive year from 2022 to 2026. 4

New York has multiple hospitals recognized for orthopedic excellence. Northwell Health's Long Island Jewish Medical Center, which includes The Orthopedic Hospital at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream and Long Island Jewish Forest Hills, was ranked number two in New York State for joint replacement and included in America's 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement by Healthgrades. 5 North Shore University Hospital, which includes Syosset Hospital, has been named one of America's 50 Best Hospitals for Outpatient Orthopedic Surgery for the second consecutive year. 5 Stony Brook University Hospital received recognition as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement, representing the only hospital in Suffolk County to achieve this designation. 10

State-Specific Leaders and Regional Distribution

Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, is the top-ranked hospital in Florida according to U.S. News 2026-2027 Best Hospitals rankings and was the only Florida hospital to make the Honor Roll list. 6 Among Mayo Clinic-Florida's national specialty rankings, it achieved number 15 in orthopedics, demonstrating excellence in knee and hip replacement procedures alongside comprehensive specialty care. 6 Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, was named the number one hospital in Charlotte and leads North Carolina in orthopedics, reflecting that state's commitment to orthopedic excellence. 7

Massachusetts General Hospital ranks first in Massachusetts for orthopedic care and was recognized as one of the nation's top orthopedic centers, specializing in ACL reconstruction, ankle surgery, hip replacement, and knee replacement. 16 In Minnesota, the U.S. News 2026-2027 rankings identified fourteen Minnesota hospitals among the nation's best, with Mayo Clinic Rochester maintaining its position as a national leader. 11 Washington State's University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle ranks first among Washington hospitals and provides comprehensive orthopedic services across the Pacific Northwest region. 15 Sutter Health hospitals in Northern California received multiple state and regional rankings, with Sutter Medical Center Sacramento achieving number one status in the Sacramento metropolitan area and number 14 in California for specialty care. 8

Cost Variations and Pricing by State

Knee replacement surgery costs vary significantly by state, reflecting regional healthcare market dynamics, facility types, and implant pricing. The national median negotiated rate for total knee replacement (CPT 27447) is $2,189, with rates ranging from $1,503 to $3,152 across 114,745 providers nationally. 3 Wisconsin offers some of the lowest median costs for knee replacement surgery visit pricing, while states including Connecticut, Delaware, and Pennsylvania maintain costs within the lower national range. 3 Rhode Island shows costs ranging from $1,136 to $6,051, with a median of $2,323 based on negotiated insurance rates across 57 active providers. 18

Regional pricing analysis reveals that Florida, despite having the highest concentration of top-ranked hospitals, maintains relatively competitive pricing. Florida's position as the nation's largest ambulatory surgery center market creates unique cost dynamics, with knee replacement surgery patients typically encountering negotiated rates ranging from $35 to $2,438, with a median cost of $55 across 4,375 active providers statewide. 19 Tennessee residents can expect median costs of $1,734 based on negotiated insurance rates, approximately 19 percent below the national average, while Colorado's median cost of $2,049 runs 2 percent below the national average. 3 New Jersey's dense population and competitive market result in median costs of $1,422 across over 6,480 providers, slightly above the national average at 2 percent. 20

Procedure Volumes and Surgical Expertise

Understanding hospital-level surgical volume provides insight into orthopedic expertise and specialization. Across the United States, 301,654 total knee arthroplasty procedures were performed in 2023 according to Medicare data, representing 57.8 percent of all joint replacement procedures, while hip replacements accounted for 30.9 percent and shoulder replacements 11.3 percent. 12 Among 8,293 orthopedic surgeons performing joint replacements on Medicare patients, 6,740 (81.3 percent) perform knee replacements, making it the most common procedure type. 12 The median surgeon performs 44 Medicare joint replacement procedures annually, though the top 1 percent of surgeons exceed 278 procedures per year, demonstrating that high-volume centers concentrate expertise and experience. 12

State-level procedure distribution shows that California, Florida, and Texas account for approximately 20 percent of all joint replacements performed nationally. 12 This concentration aligns with these states' ranking prominence and reflects both population size and regional orthopedic market maturity. The Knee-to-Hip Ratio by State reveals variation in surgical patterns, with Oklahoma and Arkansas performing 2.6 knee replacements for every hip replacement, while Vermont and Hawaii maintain nearly 1:1 ratios, demonstrating that regional demographics and clinical practice patterns influence which procedures dominate in specific areas. 12

Evaluation Criteria and How to Assess Hospital Quality

Hospital rankings for knee surgery incorporate multiple quality metrics that patients should understand when evaluating facilities. Healthgrades' Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award recognizes hospitals delivering superior patient outcomes in back and neck surgery, spinal fusion, hip fracture treatment, hip replacement, and total knee replacement procedures. 1 U.S. News and Newsweek evaluate hospitals based on clinical performance, patient outcomes, expert input, and care quality for conditions affecting bones, joints, and muscles, helping patients identify trusted treatment centers. 2 Hospital quality metrics typically comprise 50 percent of total ranking scores, hospital reputation 30 percent, patient experience 15 percent, and patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) implementation 5 percent, creating a balanced assessment framework. 17

When evaluating hospitals for knee surgery, patients should consider whether facilities offer advanced surgical technologies such as robotic-assisted systems, which provide improved alignment accuracy and precision during total knee replacement procedures. 13 The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital in Arizona uses robotic surgery for partial knee, total knee, and total hip replacements, demonstrating how technology adoption enhances surgical precision. 21 Additionally, patients should assess whether hospitals maintain five-star ratings in total knee replacement and related procedures, confirm surgeon experience levels, and verify that facilities provide comprehensive post-operative rehabilitation services, as these factors significantly influence long-term outcomes and functional recovery following knee replacement surgery.

Important Considerations for Patients Seeking Knee Surgery

While hospital rankings provide valuable guidance, patients should recognize that posted prices for knee replacement often reflect only facility or surgeon professional fees and may not include implants, anesthesia, hospital stays, or physical therapy. 14 A realistic all-in self-pay knee replacement typically ranges between approximately $15,000 and $40,000 once all components are included, and patients should always request written all-in estimates including surgeon fees, anesthesia, facility charges, and implant costs before committing to surgery. 14 Additionally, eligibility for surgery typically requires pre-operative medical clearance and substantial post-operative physical therapy planning, making it essential to confirm that selected hospitals offer integrated pre-operative and post-operative support services.

Regional specialty hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers may offer competitive pricing and specialized expertise for uncomplicated knee replacements, while academic medical centers and major health systems may provide greater resources for complex cases, revision surgeries, or patients with multiple comorbidities. 14 Patients should verify insurance coverage, understand their out-of-pocket obligations, and confirm whether their selected hospital participates in their insurance network before scheduling procedures. Finally, engaging in shared decision-making with orthopedic surgeons regarding surgical options, expected outcomes, and realistic recovery timelines ensures that treatment plans align with patient goals and medical circumstances, supporting optimal long-term functional outcomes and patient satisfaction following knee surgery.

Sources

1. Becker's Spine Review - The 100 best hospitals for orthopedic surgery: Healthgrades (2026)
2. Newsweek - America's Best Hospitals for Specialized Care 2026: Orthopedic Care Rankings
3. Momentary Lab - Knee Replacement Cost by State 2026 Data Analysis
4. Texas Orthopedic Hospital - Healthgrades 2026 Specialty Excellence Awards Recognition
5. Northwell Health - Healthgrades Top Honors in Orthopedics 2026
6. U.S. News and World Report - 2026-2027 Best Hospitals Rankings: Florida Regional Analysis
7. Atrium Health - Carolinas Medical Center Named Charlotte's No. 1 Hospital with Orthopedics Leadership
8. Sutter Health - U.S. News Honors Sutter Hospitals Across Specialties 2026-27
9. MedPage Today - The 50 Best Hospitals in the U.S. According to Healthgrades
10. Stony Brook Medicine - Healthgrades Recognition for Joint Replacement Care 2026
11. Patch Minnesota - Top-Ranked Hospitals in Minnesota U.S. News Rankings 2026-27
12. OrthoProcedures - 522,201 Joint Replacements Across the U.S.: Data Story and CMS Medicare Analysis
13. Meditech Today - Knee Replacement Specialists and Technology Hubs: Robotic Surgery and Five-Year Outcomes Data
14. MedicalPriceCheck - Knee Replacement Cost Analysis and Price Transparency Rule Data 2026
15. Newsweek - America's Best-in-State Hospitals 2026: Washington State Rankings
16. Newsweek - America's Best-in-State Hospitals 2026: Massachusetts State Rankings
17. Newsweek - America's Best-in-State Hospitals 2026 Methodology: Quality Metrics and Ranking Criteria
18. Momentary Lab - Knee Replacement Cost in Rhode Island 2026 Self-Pay Rates
19. Momentary Lab - Knee Replacement Cost in Florida 2026 Self-Pay Rates Analysis
20. Momentary Lab - Knee Replacement Cost in New Jersey 2026 Self-Pay Rates
21. The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital - Arizona Orthopedic Care and Robotic Surgery Services