Mega Doctor News
by Hospital for Special Surgery
Newswise – Mark Hanlon, who turns 74 in July, is more active than many people half his age. After two knee replacements, two hip replacements, a shoulder surgery and several ankle surgeries, the Long Island resident says, “everything works and I have a full, productive life.”
The retired attorney is super athletic, with an activity for every season and most days of the week. Sailing, sculling, tennis, bicycling, snow skiing and open-water swimming keep him busy year-round. He credits his ability to enjoy these activities to the joint replacements he had over the years to relieve advanced arthritis. Four months after his last knee replacement, he went skiing in Vermont.
Increasing numbers of people of all ages are adamant about maintaining active lifestyles, and joint replacement surgery makes that possible, says Fred D. Cushner, MD, a knee surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City and at HSS Long Island who performed Mr. Hanlon’s knee replacements.
More than one hip or knee replacement is not uncommon. Advances in robotic-assisted surgery, improvements in implant design and surgical techniques, and advances in pain control benefit patients, according to Dr. Cushner. “We see patients in their 80s and 90s who do very well after the surgery,” he says. These days, most joint replacements at HSS are performed using regional (as opposed to general) anesthesia, and many people leave the hospital the same day they have surgery.
Mr. Hanlon had his first hip replacement at Hospital for Special Surgery more than 20 years ago, and it’s still holding up. Years later, at age 66, he felt the same pain in his other hip, and he had a second hip replacement at HSS. This time, with advances in surgical technique and technology, the former attorney says, “I was up and about the following day, and in six weeks I had forgotten all about it.” He says more aging meant more arthritis, and in 2024 he had both knees replaced in two separate surgeries by Dr. Cushner.
Mr. Hanlon and his wife recently returned from a trip to Mexico where they participated in an open-water swimming vacation designed for adventurous travelers who are experienced in swimming substantial distances from one location to another. He plans to go skiing in Chile with his two sons next month. Plus, he just booked a sculling tour on the Loire River in France for next year.
Mr. Hanlon, who has no intention of slowing down, posted a video of himself skiing on the HSS Back in the Game website. In the clip, he thanks HSS for “the replacement parts” and for more than 22 great seasons of skiing.
About HSS
HSS is the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the 16th consecutive year), No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2025-2026), and the best pediatric orthopedic hospital in NY, NJ and CT by U.S. News & World Report “Best Children’s Hospitals” list (2025-2026). In a survey of medical professionals in more than 20 countries by Newsweek, HSS is ranked world #1 in orthopedics for a fifth consecutive year (2025). Founded in 1863, the Hospital has the lowest readmission rates in the nation for orthopedics, and among the lowest infection and complication rates. HSS was the first in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center five consecutive times. An affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS has a main campus in New York City and facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut and in the Long Island and Westchester County regions of New York State, as well as in Florida. In addition to patient care, HSS leads the field in research, innovation and education. The HSS Research Institute comprises 20 laboratories and 300 staff members focused on leading the advancement of musculoskeletal health through prevention of degeneration, tissue repair and tissue regeneration. In addition, more than 200 HSS clinical investigators are working to improve patient outcomes through better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat orthopedic, rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. The HSS Innovation Institute works to realize the potential of new drugs, therapeutics and devices. The HSS Education Institute is a trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal knowledge and research for physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, academic trainees, and consumers in more than 165 countries. The institution is collaborating with medical centers and other organizations to advance the quality and value of musculoskeletal care and to make world-class HSS care more widely accessible nationally and internationally. www.hss.edu.
