HSS Highlights Osseointegration Benefits for Amputees

Three new studies from Hospital for Special Surgery showcase the advantages of osseointegration for individuals with limb amputations.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Three new studies from Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) highlight the use and advantages of osseointegration (OI) for individuals with an amputation, in some instances challenging prevailing beliefs about which patients would benefit. Osseointegration is a surgical procedure that enables a prosthetic limb to be attached directly to the bone of someone who has had an amputation, eliminating the need for a traditional socket prosthesis.

Why it matters

Osseointegration represents a significant advancement in the field of prosthetics for patients who have had a limb amputation, and interest is building rapidly. The studies challenge the current paradigm that individuals with amputations should first try conventional socket prosthetics and only consider osseointegration if they are dissatisfied, suggesting that simultaneous amputation and osseointegration could be a reasonable option for select patients.

The details

The studies, which looked at safety and outcomes in both femur-level (above-the-knee) and tibia-level (below-the-knee) OI, found that both groups of patients—those undergoing osseointegration at the time of their amputation and those who had osseointegration with an existing amputation—achieved comparable gains in mobility and quality of life, with no significant difference in adverse events between the two groups. The researchers also reviewed the early outcomes of osseointegration with custom-made 3D-printed implants, which may be required for certain patients to obtain an ideal fit.

  • The studies were presented at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) in New Orleans this week.
  • HSS has performed more OI surgeries than any other hospital in the United States, treating more than 300 patients since 2017.

The players

Jason Hoellwarth, MD

Director of research in the Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Service and the Osseointegration Limb Replacement Center at HSS.

Taylor J. Reif, MD

An orthopedic surgeon in the Osseointegration Limb Replacement Center at HSS.

S. Robert Rozbruch, MD FAAOS

An orthopedic surgeon at HSS.

Zachary Glassband, BA

A researcher at HSS.

Mohamed Abdelaziz Elghazy, MD

A researcher at HSS.

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What they’re saying

“Osseointegration represents a significant advancement in the field of prosthetics for patients who have had a limb amputation, and interest is building rapidly.”

— Jason Hoellwarth, MD, Director of research in the Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Service and the Osseointegration Limb Replacement Center (Mirage News)

“Contrary to widespread assumptions, our research found that tibia osseointegration patients have as much to gain from the surgery as femur OI patients. Therefore, any individual with a lower-limb amputation who is dissatisfied with their current socket prosthesis should be evaluated for osseointegration if they would like to pursue that option.”

— Taylor J. Reif, MD, Orthopedic surgeon in the Osseointegration Limb Replacement Center at HSS (Mirage News)

“Our research challenges the current paradigm that individuals with amputations should first try conventional socket prosthetics and only consider osseointegration if they are dissatisfied with their prosthesis. It would be reasonable to offer simultaneous amputation and osseointegration to select, well-informed patients who prefer to bypass the trial of a socket prosthesis.”

— Taylor J. Reif, MD, Orthopedic surgeon in the Osseointegration Limb Replacement Center at HSS (Mirage News)

What’s next

Further studies are warranted to assess the long-term outcomes and durability of custom osseointegration implants.

The takeaway

The studies from HSS highlight the significant advancements in osseointegration technology, which can provide improved mobility, comfort, and quality of life for amputees compared to traditional socket prostheses. The findings challenge long-held assumptions and suggest osseointegration should be considered a viable option for a wider range of patients, including those with below-the-knee amputations and those who may prefer to bypass the trial of a socket prosthesis.