Dr. James M. Paci, MD, FAAOS

Expert Publications

• Distal triceps knotless anatomic footprint repair is superior to transosseous cruciate repair: a biomechanical comparison.
• Distal triceps knotless anatomic footprint repair: a new technique.
• Knotless Suture Anchor With Suture Tape Quadriceps Tendon Repair Is Biomechanically Superior to Transosseous and Traditional Suture Anchor-Based Repairs in a Cadaveric Model.
• Sagittal plane kinematic differences between dominant and non-dominant legs in unilateral and bilateral jump landings.
• Weightbearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and sagittal plane kinematics during single leg drop jump landing in healthy male athletes.

Media Releases

Get to know Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. James M. Paci, who serves patients throughout the State of New York.

A board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Paci is the Director of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for Suffolk County for the Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Group at Northwell Health, serving patients in Smithtown, Melville, Syosset, and Woodbury, New York. He specializes in the care of athletes and disorders of the shoulder, elbow and knee.

“I provide patients with the cutting-edge care sought by both professional athletes and weekend warriors, so they can get back to their lives, jobs and sports” expressed Dr. Paci.

With a broad educational background, he received his undergraduate degree from Yale University and was a member of the varsity football team. He continued his education at the Chicago Medical School where he received his medical degree, and went on to complete his residency in orthopedic surgery at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, where he was Chief Resident from 2008-2009.

While in Syracuse, Dr. Paci assisted in the care of the Syracuse Crunch ice hockey team (AHL), the Syracuse Chiefs baseball team (AAA), the SUNY Cortland University athletic program and the Onondaga Community College athletic program.

Subsequently, he completed an orthopaedic sports medicine fellowship at the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) in Birmingham, Alabama, under the direction of Dr. James Andrews, where he received the 2009-2010 award for excellence in clinical research. 

In Birmingham, Dr. Paci was the team physician for Huntingdon College and Bessemer Academy, and assisted with the care of athletes from the University of Alabama, Auburn University, the Washington Redskins football team, and the Montgomery Biscuits (AA) and Birmingham Barons (AA) baseball teams.

Recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery (FAAOS), the doctor is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS). The ABOS is an organization with the goal of establishing educational and professional standards for orthopedic residents and surgeons as well as evaluating the qualifications and competence of orthopedic surgeons.

In good standing with a number of professional organizations, Dr. Paci is a member of the Suffolk County, Section XI Sports Safety Committee, the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine STOP Sports Injuries Committee, the American Sports Medicine Fellowship Society, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, and the New York State Society of Orthopedic Surgeons.

In his professional experience, he is the head team physician and Medical Director for the New York Riptide, NLL professional lacrosse team, Long Island University Brookville Campus, and Farmingdale State College, an orthopedic consultant for the Premier Lacrosse League, and an orthopedic consultant for many high schools on Long Island. He is also affiliated with various hospitals and surgery centers, including Long Island Jewish Valley Stream, Syosset Hospital, Huntington Hospital, Peconic Bay Medical Center, John T. Mather Memorial Hospital, South Shore Ambulatory Center, Melville Surgery Center, and Center for Advanced Medicine Surgery Center.

Prior to joining Orlin and Cohen, Dr. Paci was a member of Stony Brook Orthopedic Associates and an Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopedics within the Stony Brook University School of Medicine. During that time, he was a team orthopedic physician for the Stony Brook University Seawolves. He has also served as a team physician for the New York Lizards (MLL), Dowling College and Suffolk County Community College.

With a passion for teaching, he serves as an Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

As a leading practitioner in the field of sports medicine, Dr. Paci has presented his research and cutting-edge surgical techniques at numerous national and international orthopedic and sports medicine conferences. He has also authored research and book chapters in topics related to orthopedics and sports medicine. In addition to his clinical and team coverage responsibilities, he currently performs clinical and biomechanical research at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research at Northwell Health.

Orthopedic surgery is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and non-surgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.

Recognized as a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly Magazine, Dr. Paci has been the recipient of the Top Doctor Award by findatopdoc.com (2020-2021), Top Doctor Award by NY Top Docs (2016-2021), Super Doctor Rising Stars Award (2015-2018), Annual Research Award for Excellence in Clinical Science by the American Sports Medicine Fellowship Society (2009-2010), On-Time Doctor Award (2016, 2018), Patients’ Choice Award (2018), and Compassionate Doctor Recognition (2016).

On a more personal note, he enjoys sports, wine, and cooking. He speaks both English and Spanish.

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