Ranked the nation’s top hospital for orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report for seventeen consecutive years.
Internationally Renowned Orthopedic Care in New York
A world-renowned researcher on sports medicine outcomes and artificial intelligence with over 250 peer-reviewed articles, he blends evidence-based medicine with a treatment philosophy built around each patient’s goals — whether returning to competitive sport or simply moving through life pain-free. As a former college football player, Dr. Kunze understands the physical demands that competitive sport high-level training place on the body. This experience informs his focus on comprehensive rehabilitation, surgical precision, and multi-disciplinary care involving physical therapists, trainers, and coaches to guide patients through every phase of recovery.
Joint Preservation
Cartilage Restoration
Longevity & Preventative Care
Dr. Kunze is a leading expert in cartilage restoration and joint preservation.
Cartilage does not heal on its own. When it is injured in an active patient, the goal is not simply to relieve today’s pain — it is to protect and preserve the joint for the decades that follow. Dr. Kunze’s practice is built around that longer horizon: treating the cartilage injury, correcting the alignment or instability that caused it, and preserving the native joint for as long as possible.
That means cartilage transplantation and repair, meniscus preservation and transplantation, osteotomy for malalignment, and evidence-guided use of biologics — chosen deliberately, and only when the data support them for a given patient.
Explore Cartilage RestorationDr. Kunze in the News
Whether helping elite athletes return to competition or getting a patient with arthritis back to living life pain-free, Dr. Kunze is often invited to share his expertise with the media. His training at top orthopaedic institutions, including Hospital for Special Surgery and Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, has positioned him as a leading orthopaedic surgeon and allows him to deliver high-quality care for patients with a wide variety of injuries. Below is one of many headlines where Dr. Kunze was invited to discuss the early rise in injuries among NFL quarterbacks, implications for return to sport, and what these injuries do to the body.
Innovative. Individualized. Collaborative.
Innovation in Practice
Dr. Kunze blends clinical expertise with data analytics — the subject of over 250 peer-reviewed publications — to help forecast outcomes and personalize treatment decisions.
Predictive modeling and machine-learning tools trained on large outcome registries help estimate how likely a given patient is to benefit from a procedure — so the conversation starts with evidence, not averages.
Patient Satisfaction First
Every patient deserves a clear explanation of their diagnosis and options. Dr. Kunze prioritizes transparent communication and shared decision-making at every visit.
Imaging is reviewed with you on screen, non-operative options are discussed first when appropriate, and you leave each visit knowing what happens next and why.
True Collaboration
Working alongside physical therapists, primary care physicians, and HSS specialists ensures coordinated, comprehensive care throughout treatment and recovery.
Rehabilitation protocols are shared directly with your therapist, and complex cases are discussed with sports medicine, radiology, and arthroplasty colleagues before a plan is finalized.
Individualized Treatment
No two patients — or joints — are alike. Treatment plans reflect each patient's goals, activity level, and anatomy, from nonoperative management through surgery.
A competitive athlete, a weekend hiker, and a patient managing arthritis at 70 need different plans. Bony anatomy, cartilage status, and personal goals all shape the recommendation.
Explore Your Area of Concern
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Personalized, evidence-based care for hip, knee, and shoulder conditions.
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