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Thomas Hickernell, MD

Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation
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Contact Info

Orthopaedics at Stamford

260 Long Ridge Rd, Orthopedics

Stamford, CT 06902

United States

About

Titles

Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation

Biography

Thomas R Hickernell MD is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult hip and knee reconstructive surgery.  He attended medical school and completed an orthopedic surgery residency followed by a fellowship in adult hip and knee reconstruction surgery at Columbia University Medical Center.  He was an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Columbia and NYP Hudson Valley Hospital before joining Yale Orthopedics and Greenwich Hospital. 

Dr. Hickernell provides a range of services and procedures related to orthopedic and degenerative conditions of the hip and knee including minimally-invasive, muscle-sparing anterior hip replacement, total and partial knee replacement, and complex revision surgery on previously replaced and problematic joint replacements or patients with periprosthetic fractures or infection of the hip and knee.  He utilizes opioid-sparing multimodal pain control and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols to facilitate same-day discharges in appropriately selected joint replacement patients.  He is a Fellow of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons and is actively involved in medical research, with a focus on studying methods of pain control while reducing opioid consumption.  His research is regularly published in journals including the Journal of Arthroplasty and the Journal of the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons.  He also regularly gives presentations at national medical meetings.

Appointments

Other Departments & Organizations

Education & Training

Fellowship in Adult Hip and Knee Reconstruction
Columbia University Medical Center / New York Presbyterian (2019)
Orthopedic Surgery Residency
Columbia University Medical Center / New York Presbyterian (2018)
MD
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (2012)

Research

Research at a Glance

Yale Co-Authors

Frequent collaborators of Thomas Hickernell's published research.

Publications

2024

2023

2022

2021

Clinical Care

Overview

Thomas Hickernell, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon who offers patients a variety of services and procedures related to orthopaedic and degenerative conditions of the hip and knee.

He specializes in minimally invasive, muscle-sparing anterior hip replacement, total and partial knee replacement, and complex revision surgery on previously replaced and problematic joint replacements or patients with hip or knee infections.

Dr. Hickernell says he was drawn to orthopaedics because of the idea that people “wheel in and walk out.”

“There’s an immediate gratification for myself and the patient when we can help them return to their quality of life,” he says. “Especially when it comes to hip and knee replacement surgery, I find it rewarding to restore someone’s ability to walk and enjoy the things they like to do. The ability to walk is something we take for granted until we lose it.”

Dr. Hickernell says he makes a point to listen to his patients to understand their goals. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach. I’m a surgeon, but most patients I treat don’t have surgery as I provide a whole range of nonoperative treatments,” he says.

For joint replacement patients who meet the criteria, Dr. Hickernell uses Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols to facilitate same-day discharges. He also utilizes opioid-sparing methods for pain control, a subject he is also studying. Dr. Hickernell’s research is regularly published in journals including the Journal of Arthroplasty and the Journal of the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Clinical Specialties

Hip and Knee Orthopedic Surgery

Fact Sheets

Board Certifications

  • Orthopaedic Surgery

    Certification Organization
    AB of Orthopaedic Surgery
    Original Certification Date
    2021

Yale Medicine News

Get In Touch

Contacts

Appointment Number
Mailing Addresses

Orthopaedics at Stamford

260 Long Ridge Rd, Orthopedics

Stamford, CT 06902

United States

Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation

PO Box 208071

New Haven, CT 06520-8071

United States

Administrative Support

Locations

  • Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation

    Academic Office

    47 College Street

    New Haven, CT 06510

  • Patient Care Locations

    Are You a Patient? View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.