Dr. Craig R. Mahoney has been named a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, marking his 13th consecutive year receiving this designation that places him among the 7 percent of licensed physicians nationwide selected annually for regional specialty expertise. As an orthopaedic surgeon with Iowa Ortho, Dr. Mahoney's recognition underscores the importance of experienced specialists in orthopaedic surgery, particularly in joint replacement procedures that significantly impact patients' mobility and quality of life. With over 23 years of practice and more than 8,000 successful hip and knee replacements, his approach emphasizes exhaustive nonsurgical options before recommending surgery, focusing on evidence-based techniques that prioritize long-term outcomes.
The implications of this announcement extend beyond individual recognition to highlight advancements in orthopaedic surgical techniques. Dr. Mahoney performs several key procedures using advanced methods, including total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, hip and knee revision surgery, computer-navigated joint replacement, impaction grafting, and vascular management in rotationplasty. These techniques represent significant progress in surgical precision and patient recovery, contributing to improved healthcare standards in orthopaedic medicine. His professional contributions include authoring more than 40 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in publications such as The Journal of Arthroplasty and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, demonstrating his commitment to advancing medical knowledge and sharing expertise with the broader medical community.
Dr. Mahoney currently serves as Physician Leader and Vice President of the Orthopaedic Service Line at MercyOne and is a partner at the Iowa Orthopaedic Center. His educational background includes a medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1995, an orthopaedic surgery residency at the Creighton/University of Nebraska Health Foundation in 2001 with a dedicated research fellowship, and a fellowship in Adult Reconstruction at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York in 2002. Leadership roles have been another significant aspect of his career, including serving as President of the Mid-America Orthopaedic Association and the Iowa Orthopaedic Society, and six years on the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Board of Councilors.
The Castle Connolly Top Doctor selection process involves peer nominations and evaluation by a physician-led research team based on criteria including medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories. This rigorous selection process ensures that recognized physicians represent the highest standards in their fields, with doctors unable to pay for selection. The consistent recognition of specialists like Dr. Mahoney highlights the ongoing importance of expertise, innovation, and patient-centered care in orthopaedic surgery, particularly as joint replacement procedures continue to evolve with technological advancements. His publications and professional achievements are accessible through platforms like https://www.castleconnolly.com, providing resources for both medical professionals and patients seeking information about advanced orthopaedic care.
