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Title Cleveland Clinic Adult Reconstruction Research (CCARR) Director; Musculoskeletal Research Center (MSRC) Co-Director
Department Orthopaedic Surgery
Primary Location Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Type of Doctor Adults Only
Languages English, French, Spanish
Surgeon Yes
Locations Specialties & Treatments

Treatment & Services

  • Acute Fracture Care
  • Arthritis Surgery
  • Bone Grafting
  • Cartilage Repair
  • Cartilage Transplant
  • Clinical Trials
  • Complex Primary Hip Arthroplasty
  • Deformity Correction
  • Fracture Care
  • Fracture Reconstruction
  • General Orthopaedics
  • Hip Replacement
  • Hip Resurfacing
  • Hip Revision
  • Hip Surgery
  • Hyaluronic Acid Injections
  • Joint Aspiration
  • Joint Injections
  • Joint Preservation
  • Joint Preservation Center
  • Joint Preserving Hip Surgery
  • Joint Reconstruction
  • Joint Replacement
  • Knee Reconstructive Surgery
  • Knee Replacement
  • Knee Revision
  • Knee Surgery
  • Management of Early Hip Disease
  • Medical Management of Early Osteoarthritis
  • Minimally Invasive Hip Joint Replacement
  • Minimally Invasive Knee Joint Replacement
  • Musculoskeletal Evaluation
  • Musculoskeletal Medicine
  • Non-Operative Orthopaedics
  • Non-Operative Treatment of Fractures
  • Non-Operative Treatment of Sprains
  • Nonsurgical Treatment of Arthritis
  • Orthopaedic Care of the Elderly
  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Orthopaedics
  • Partial Knee Replacement
  • Platelet-Poor Plasma (PPP)
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections
  • Prevention and Treatment of Injuries in the Aging Athlete
  • Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty
  • Reconstructive Surgery
  • Reconstructive Surgery of the Hip
  • Revision Hip Arthroplasty
  • Revision Hip Joint Replacement
  • Revision Joint Replacement
  • Revision Knee Arthroplasty
  • Revision Surgery
  • Revision Total Hip Replacement
  • Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty
  • Revision Total Knee Replacement
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis: How to Treat
  • Robotic Assisted Hip Replacement
  • Robotic Assisted Knee Replacement
  • Robotic Assisted Partial Knee Replacement
  • Robotic Surgery
  • Surgical Treatment of Arthritis of the Hip
  • Surgical Treatment of Arthritis of the Knee
  • Total Hip Replacement
  • Total Knee Replacement
  • Viscosupplementation
  • X-Ray
View all 66 Treatment & Services +

Specialty in Diseases & Conditions

  • Arthritis
  • Arthritis of the Hip
  • Arthritis of the Knee
  • Avascular Necrosis
  • Avascular Necrosis of the Hip
  • Avascular Necrosis of the Knee
  • Bone Disorders
  • Bursitis
  • Cellulitis
  • Developmental Dislocation of the Hip
  • Femoroacetabular Impingement
  • Fracture Nonunion
  • Fungal Infections
  • Gout
  • Hip Disorders
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Hip Fracture
  • Hip Impingement
  • Hip Instability
  • Hip Labral Tears
  • Hip Pain
  • Internal Derangement of the Knee
  • Joint Disorders
  • Knee Cartilage Injury
  • Knee Fracture
  • Knee Injuries
  • Knee Joint Disorders
  • Knee Ligament Injuries
  • Knee Pain
  • Knee Problems
  • Labrum Tears
  • Leg Length Inequality
  • Leg Pain
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
  • Lower Extremity Deformity
  • Muscle Injuries
  • Musculoskeletal Impairments
  • Musculoskeletal Injuries in Athletes
  • Musculoskeletal Pain
  • Nerve Injuries
  • Orthopaedic Injuries
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Osteoarthritis of the Hips in the Elderly
  • Osteoarthritis of the Knee
  • Osteoarthritis of the Knees in the Elderly
  • Osteonecrosis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Overuse Syndrome
  • Painful Deformities
  • Painful Joints
  • Patellofemoral Instability
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Stress Fractures
  • Tendon Injuries
  • Tendonitis
  • Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
View all 56 Specialties +
Insurance

Insurance

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Biography

About Nicolas Piuzzi, MD

Dr. Piuzzi is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in adult joint reconstruction at Cleveland Clinic and currently serve as Cleveland Clinic Adult Joint Reconstruction Research (CCARR) Director. As an orthopedic clinician-scientist his expertise is in primary and revision total hip and knee procedures for the treatment of osteoarthritis, osteonecrosis, arthrofibrosis, osteolysis, periprosthetic infections and periprosthetic fractures. As such, his research is directly translational to his clinical practice, reinforcing the clinician-scientist role. He is committed to the development and optimization of strategies for preservation, repair, regeneration, augmentation or replacement of musculoskeletal tissues. Dr Piuzzi vision is to advance patient care through Evidence-Based Orthoaedic Surgery and Personalized Medicine.

As Staff Surgeon at Cleveland Clinic (CC) Adult Joint Reconstructive Surgery Center he routinely perform  400+ surgeries per year. As Director of Cleveland Clinic Adult Reconstruction Research (CCARR), he was granted 40% dedicated time to coordinate and lead the CC Joints Clinical Research Program, a world leader team in arthroplasty research that incorporates translational and clinical research. As one of the largest and more productive Joints research groups in the United States, it has a total annual research expenditures exceeding $1-2 million from several funding sources and a staff team comprised of: 1 Program Manager; 1 Data Analyst, 4 Research Coordinators, and 1 Associate Staff (PhD), in addition to Research Fellows and medical students. Altogether the group publishes 100+ Peer-Reviewed manuscripts per year, and is actively conducting 10+ Clinical trials.

Along with his commitment to providing outstanding patient care and performing high quality impactful research, Dr. Piuzzi believes strongly in the importance of advancing the field of orthopaedics through involvement in leadership, advocacy, and education, and is actively involved in mentoring medical students, residents, and fellows. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS), International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT), and American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) among others. He serves in the ORS Clinical Research Committee, AAOS American Joint Replacement Registry Young Committee, AAHKS Research Committee, and ISCT Musculoskeletal Committee. He has published over 375 peer-reviewed articles, presented in multiple national and international meetings, and won multiple awards including the 2018 AAOS/OREF/ORS Clinician Scholar Career Development Program Award and 2020 OREF/Current Concepts in Joint Replacement (CCJR) Clinical Practice Award. He currently serves as Associate Editor in the Journal of Knee Surgery and Journal of Hip Surgery, as well as reviewer in numerous prestigious Journals.

In 2016, Dr. Piuzzi completed his 5-year in Orthopaedic surgery Residency at the prestigious Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (which was funded on 1872, and its Orthopaedic Surgery Department began on 1926 promoted by Dr.Vittorio Putti famous Italian orthopaedic surgeon, promoter of modern orthopaedic, who devoted his life to the Bologna's world renowned Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute). Dr Piuzzi later completed a 2-year orthopaedic surgery fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic on Orthopaedic Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Therapies Clinical Scholar/Fellowship which combined Adult joint reconstructive surgery with the application of biological therapies to the treatment of disorders of bone & joint.

If you are interested to learn more, or contribute to the Cleveland Clinic Adult Reconstruction Research (CCARR) Program please contact piuzzin@ccf.org

Education & Professional Highlights

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
2018

Education & Fellowships

Fellowship - Cleveland Clinic
Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Therapies
Cleveland, OH
2018

Residency - Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires
Orthopedic Surgery
Buenos Aires,
2016

Medical Education - Universidad del Salvador
Buenos Aires,
2010

Additional Training


Professional Highlights

  • Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery in the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University
  • Cleveland Clinic Musculoskeletal Research Center (MSRC) Co-Director
  • Associate Editor Journal of Knee Surgery
  • Associate Editor Journal of Hip Surgery

Certifications

  • Orthopaedic Surgery

Awards & Honors

  • 2010
    • Honor Graduation – Medical Doctor (GPA: 8.90/10) (3rd highest GPA) UNIVERSIDAD DEL SALVADOR, Buenos Aires, Argentina 2010
    • First place Award - XIV Research meeting Universidad del Salvador for study titled: “Anatomic variations of the popliteal artery and its collaterals”, Buenos Aires Argentina, 2010
    •  2012
      • Accésit Award - XVII Residents Session at the A.A.O.T Orthopedic Argentine Annual meeting Annual Meeting: Awarded for study titled: “Arthroscopic repair of Bankart lesion in athletes”, Buenos Aires, Argentina. December 2-5, 2012
      •  2013
        • Special Mention - Menção especial para o trabalho – Tema Livre Oral – XIX Shoulder and Elbow Latin American meeting. Awarded for study titled: “Non-surgical functional treatment for displaced olecranon fractures in the elderly”, Natal, Brazil. October 24-26, 2013
        • First Place Award POSTER - XIX Congreso de la Asociación del Trauma Ortopedico. [XIX Argentinian Trauma Association Annual meeting]
        • Awarded for study titled:"Penetration in the anterolateral cortical in proximal femur fractures treated with short intramedullary nails: Two Case Report”, Buenos Aires, Argentina. October 17-19, 2013
        • First Place Award Oral Presentation 39th Argentinian Hand Association Annual Meeting – [Asociación Argentina de Cirugía de la Mano. 39 Congreso Argentino de Cirugía de la Mano.] For the study titled: “Non-surgical functional treatment for displaced olecranon fractures in the elderly”, San Luis, Argentina October 13, 2013
        •  2014
          • Annual Award Laboratorio Bagó – for the study titled: “Therapeutic modification of the natural history of osteoarthritis, role of supplements” 51º A.A.O.T.: Orthopedic Argentine Annual meeting - Buenos Aires, Argentina. December 10, 2014
          •  2015
            • First Place Paper Award - Residents Session of the 52º A.A.O.T. Orthopedic Argentine Annual meeting: For study titled: “Clinical and radiological outcomes comparison between total ankle arthroplasty and total ankle arthrodesis for the treatment of posttraumatic ankle osteoarthritis” Buenos Aires, Argentina. December 1-5, 2015
            • AAOS/ORS Biologic Treatments of Orthopaedic Injuries (BTOI) research symposium
            • Selected to participate as a Young Investigator in the symposium November 5-7, 2015, in Rosemont, IL
            •  2016
              • Leading article J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2016 Sep 21;98(18):1511-21: Intra-Articular Cellular Therapy for Osteoarthritis and Focal Cartilage Defects of the Knee: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Study Quality Analysis. (doi: 10.2106/JBJS.15.01495.) Piuzzi NS*, Chahla J,* Mitchell JJ, Dean CS, Pascual-Garrido C, LaPrade RF, Muschler GF. (*First co-authors)
              •  2017
                • Young Entrepreneur Award, AAOS/ORS Translating Orthopaedic Technologies into Clinical Practice: Pathways from Novel Idea to Improvements in Standard of Care Research Symposium, Rosemont, IL, May 2017
                • 2017 recipient of the Best Poster Award in "Complications Not Including Infection" category for the poster entitled “Low-Dose Aspirin has Non-Inferior Chemoprophylactic Effect on Venous Thromboembolism after Total Knee Arthroplasty” and presented at the 2017 AAHKS Annual Meeting in Hilton Anatole Hotel, Dallas, TX, November 2-5, 2017
                • 2017 Blue Ribbon Article Award Winner (November/December 2017) Factors Influencing Patients’ Hospital Rating After Total Joint Arthroplasty by Jaydev B. Mistry, MD; Chukwuweike U. Gwam, MD; Morad Chughtai, MD; Anton Khlopas, MD; Prem Ramkumar, MD; Nicolas S. Piuzzi, MD; George Muschler, MD; Steven F. Harwin, MD; Michael A. Mont, MD; Ronald E. Delanois, MD
                •  2018
                  • AAOS Optimizing Clinical Use of Biologics in Orthopaedic Surgery. Selected to participate as a Young Investigator in the symposium February 15-17, 2018, in Stanford, 2018
                  • AAOS/OREF/ORS Clinician Scholar Career Development Program Award-Rosemont, IL - September 27-29, 2018
                  • 2019
                    • Best Poster Award in "Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty" category for the poster entitled “No Clinically Meaningful Difference in 1-Year Patient-Recorded Outcomes Among Major Approaches for primary Total Hip Arthroplasty” and presented at the 2019 AAHKS Annual Meeting in Hilton Anatole Hotel, Dallas, TX, November 2019
                    • 2020
                      • OREF/Current Concepts in Joint Replacement (CCJR) Clinical Practice Award: “Developing a Personalized Outcome Prediction Tool for Knee Arthroplasty” Nicolas S. Piuzzi, MD
                      • 2022
                        • ORS Strategies in Clinical Research Section 500 Award in recognition to outstanding quality and scientific achievement at ORS 2022 Annual Meeting to Presentation #217: "Combination of Preoperative PROMs Phenotypes (Pain, Function, and Mental Health) Predicts Outcomes After Total Knee Arthroplasty" Nicolas S. Piuzzi, MD

                        Innovations & Patents


                        Memberships

                        • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
                        • American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS)
                        • Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS)
                        • International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS)
                        • International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT)
                        • Mid-America Orthopaedic Association
                        • Asociación Argentina de Ortopedia y Traumatologia (AAOT)
                        • American Medical Association
                        • Member of the workgroup for the AAOS Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee Clinical Practice Guideline – 2018/19 - Department of Research, Quality, & Scientific Affairs, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
                        • Member of the voting panel for the AAOS Surgical Site Infection Appropriate Use Criteria Voting Panel -2018/19 Department of Research, Quality, & Scientific Affairs, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
                        • Member of the voting panel for the Appropriate Use Criteria for the Management of Osteoarthrosis of the Hip – 2017 - Department of Research, Quality, & Scientific Affairs, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.www.aaos.org/oahipauc. Published December 8, 2017
                        • Member Task Force - Engaging the Orthopaedic Surgeon Project Team – Orthopaedic Research Society 2017
                        • Member of American Physical Therapy Academy (APTA) Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA): Pre and Post-operative Physical Therapist Management for Adults with Osteoarthritis Work Group – 2017/18
                        • Member of Orthopaedic Clinical Research Committee (CRC) – Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS), 2018-2020
                        • Organizing Committee: Signature Series Event of the International Society for Cellular Therapies: “Cellular Therapies for Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal disease Proven and Unproven Therapies - Promise, Facts and Fantasy”, Montreal, Canada, May 2, 2018
Research & Publications

Research & Publications

See publications for Nicolas Piuzzi, MD.

(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.

To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.

As of 6/17/2024, Dr. Piuzzi has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.

Consulting and/or Speaking. Dr. Piuzzi receives fees of $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) as a paid consultant, speaker or as a member of an advisory committee for the following companies:

  • Stryker Corporation

Donation of Financial Interest. Dr. Piuzzi has consulted for, received compensation for serving as a fiduciary from, or received royalties from the following companies but instructed them to donate all compensation to not-for-profit causes or to the Cleveland Clinic to support research and education:

  • Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Patient Satisfaction Reviews

230 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.

Overall Star Ratings
4.7 out of 5
Explains 4.7
Listens 4.3
Courtesy, Respect & Concern 4.8
Patient Rating of Doctor 4.8

30 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Oct 8, 2024

Everything about working with Dr. Puzzis office is fantastic.

Reviewed on Oct 8, 2024

I have already referred two people to try and go through the clinic and Dr. Puzzi's office. The whole staff does a fantastic job, available whenever I need them and answer all my questions in a prompt fashion. I couldn't be more thankful for working with this group. Thank you.

Reviewed on Oct 1, 2024

Just a brief visit to discuss possibility of knee surgery - doctor spent about 10 minutes with me so really no time to talk through possible options. His message was simple - when your knee really hurts, come to me for surgery. This was a fair enough assessment, but I have ups and downs with my knee, and I as hoping for a more nuanced discussion. When I am ready for surgery, I will choose a surgeon other than Dr. Piuzzi.

Reviewed on Sep 24, 2024

Dr Piuzzi is excellent. He treats people kindly and explains everything. Just talking to him makes me feel confident about my issues.

Reviewed on Sep 17, 2024

Very good very good and I have been recommending you guys to everybody that I come in contact or have they have talked about their not so good services with with what they're getting from their doctors and I recommend you guys all the time

Reviewed on Sep 10, 2024

Provider was exceptional, showed concern but also listened and made me feel like a human

Reviewed on Aug 20, 2024

How could it be anything but bad: traveled from South Carolina for a second opinion; Never saw Piuzzi, seen by a PA going through the motions; very unlike my past CC visits were I have found the doctors to be exceptional, engaging and ensure you are included in what is the best thing. Very, very disappointing

Reviewed on Aug 6, 2024

His answer was to wait longer for my knee to calm down. While I respect that nothing was ever said as to what happens if it doesn't calm down in the next 3 months or so. There was no examination of my knee. I put my foot up on doctors knee for minute or two. That was all. Did mention switching to total knee but never went over R/B/As. I asked him if I should just keep doing what I've been doing and he said yes, but we never discussed what I was doing. Like how many times a week do I go to physical therapy? What do I do in physical therapy, etc.

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2024

This Dr and team are incredible. Not like any other I have worked with. So pleasant and great caring manner.

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2024

Best Doctor and team I have dealt with. An asset to the clinic.

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2024

Dr. Piuzzi is a gifted surgeon. I feel very fortunate that I was in his care and that he did my surgery.

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2024

I always get in and out on a timely matter when it comes to my doctors appointment Dr.Piuzzi is a great surgeon!!

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2024

Did feel a little rushed at the end. I do recognize that the doctor was running behind schedule.

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2024

Love meeting the dr. Very knowledgeable, and caring at the same time.

Reviewed on Jun 4, 2024

Dr. Piuzzi spent twice the amount of time with me discussing options to improve my outcome from surgery. He was patient, listened to my concerns, and made me feel as if he would try various options to improve my results. He did not rush me through the appointment, and more importantly, he didn't make me feel like the outcome was just fine, and I was better than I was. He has a plan to make it improve.

Reviewed on May 7, 2024

Would have like the doctor to give us suggestions about our next steps like physical therapy or some practical help.

Reviewed on Apr 30, 2024

I could not schedule this myself through MyChart, I needed to call. Had to schedule about a month out and take first available doctor .

Reviewed on Apr 30, 2024

Dr Piuzzi is wonderful

Reviewed on Apr 9, 2024

Very good experience with Dr Piuzzi.

Reviewed on Mar 5, 2024

Dr Piuzzi and Colin Bilski ( PA ) were very professional and compassionate. They answered all my questions and were very informative.

Reviewed on Feb 27, 2024

Dr. Piuzzi is very informative. Took his time answering my questions.

Reviewed on Feb 20, 2024

The doctor was very professional and understanding.

Reviewed on Feb 6, 2024

I had an unexpected finding on a pre-op X-ray leading to a last minute change of plans for my surgery. My husband and I were scared. Dr Piuzzi was calming and very thorough in his explanation of the issues. He put a great team together for my care. I have referred several people to Dr. Piuzzi for knee replacement surgery. All have been very happy

Reviewed on Feb 6, 2024

My experience with Dr. Piuzzi has been nothing but positive. You feel "heard" after a visit with him. I would recommend him to anyone!

Reviewed on Jan 30, 2024

Doctor is professional, knowledgeable, caring, and friendly.

Reviewed on Jan 23, 2024

Dr piuzzi is class act all the way around.

Reviewed on Jan 23, 2024

Dr. Piuzzi was amazing. Very kind, compassionate. I would love to continue to see him

Reviewed on Dec 5, 2023

dr Piuzzi is phenomenal

Reviewed on Nov 28, 2023

Dr Piuzzi is very friendly abd explains everything. I wiukd recommend him to anyone.

Reviewed on Nov 14, 2023

Very good doctor!

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