Dr. David Helfet, MD

Expert Publications

• Management of distal femoral fractures.
• Presidential Address. From whence we cometh.
• Effect of impact load on articular cartilage: cell metabolism and viability, and matrix water content.
• Ballistics and gunshot wounds: effects on musculoskeletal tissues.
• An introduction to the minimally invasive osteosynthesis of intra-articular calcaneal fractures.
• Magnetic resonance venography to evaluate deep venous thrombosis in patients with pelvic and acetabular trauma.
• Anterior iliac crest bone graft harvesting using the corticocancellous reamer system.
• Magnetic resonance imaging of the multiple-ligament injured knee.
• MRI assessment of the posterior acetabular wall fracture in traumatic dislocation
• Distraction of hypertrophic nonunion of tibia with deformity using Ilizarov/Taylor Spatial Frame. Report of two cases.
• Anteroinferior plating of midshaft clavicular nonunions.
• Open reduction and internal fixation of humeral nonunions : a biomechanical and clinical study.
• Expression and activation of the BMP-signaling components in human fracture nonunions.
• Bilateral Monteggia fractures.
• Subtrochanteric fracture after cannulated screw fixation of femoral neck fractures: a report of four cases.

Media Releases

Bringing Advanced Orthopedic Care to Southwest Florida

David Helfet, MD, a distinguished trauma and hip preservation surgeon, is expanding his clinical practice from the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) main campus in New York to Naples, Florida, where he will serve as the Founding Medical Director of HSS at NCH. This collaboration aims to provide high-quality orthopedic care to the residents of southwest Florida, enhancing access to specialized treatments and innovative surgical techniques.

Dr. Helfet has expertise in the treatment of complex fractures and dislocations affecting both upper and lower extremities, including the shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle. His experience encompasses managing intricate cases, including pelvic and acetabular fractures, as well as poly-trauma patients with multiple orthopedic injuries. Dr. Helfet is adept at treating fractures in diverse populations, including adolescents, adults, and the elderly, addressing challenges such as periprosthetic fractures, insufficiency fractures, and hip dysplasia.

A notable aspect of Dr. Helfet’s practice has been his comprehensive approach to orthopedic care, which includes the correction of deformities, limb lengthening, and the treatment of chronic conditions such as post-partum pelvic pain and instability. His dedication to patient-centered care ensures that individuals receive personalized treatment plans tailored to their specific needs, fostering optimal recovery and improved quality of life.

Dr. Helfet’s academic credentials are impressive. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, he earned his Medical Degree from the University of Cape Town Medical School in 1975, followed by a rigorous residency at Johns Hopkins University. His further training includes fellowships in orthopaedic trauma and orthopaedic sports medicine at prestigious institutions.

In addition to his role as a Founding and Senior Medical Director of HSS at NCH, Dr. Helfet serves as a Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College. He is also the Director Emeritus of the Orthopedic Trauma Service at both HSS and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. His commitment to the surrounding community is evident in his role as the Orthopedic Trauma Specialist for the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), the New York Police Department (NYPD), and New York State Police, where he provides advanced orthopedic care to first responders injured in the line of duty.

An accomplished author, Dr. Helfet has contributed extensively to the field of orthopedic trauma including 363 articles and 79 book chapters. He is a sought-after speaker, frequently presenting at national and international conferences and has received various accolades, including the Philip D. Wilson Jr. Teaching Award. His exceptional work has earned him recognition as one of New York Magazine’s “Best Doctors in New York” and Castle-Connolly’s “America’s Top Doctors.” In 2015, he was awarded the prestigious Hospital for Special Surgery Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of a lifetime of excellence in orthopaedic care, research, and innovation. In 2024, Dr. Helfet was inducted into the Fellows of International Orthopaedic Trauma Association, recognizing his status of excellent professional standing and high achievements in orthopaedic trauma education and research, as well as his past presidency of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association.  

“I am honored to be selected to help lead HSS at NCH and work alongside NCH and HSS colleagues to build upon a longstanding foundation of medical excellence,” Dr. Helfet stated. “In orthopedics, quality varies widely, and together we will make the highest quality of care available closer to home for the people of Naples and all of southwest Florida.”

Dr. Helfet’s transition marks a new chapter in orthopedic care in southwest Florida, promising to elevate the standard of treatment and enhance patient outcomes in the region.

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