Prof. Shai Shemesh

Prof. Shai Shemesh, MD, MHA, is a specialist in orthopedic surgery with unique expertise in hip and knee replacement surgery and orthopedic oncology. Throughout his career, he accumulated extensive clinical, academic, and research experience, treating patients requiring primary and revision joint replacement procedures, benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors, and orthopedic trauma.
Prof. Shemesh currently serves as Head of the Orthopedic Department at Assuta Ashdod University Hospital, where he also established the hospital’s Orthopedic Oncology Unit. Previously, he served for many years as a senior orthopedic surgeon at Rabin Medical Center (Beilinson Hospital). In addition to his public hospital practice, he sees patients at his private clinics in Tel Aviv and Herzliya and performs surgeries at Assuta Medical Centers, Raphael Hospital, and Herzliya Medical Center.

Clinical and Surgical Expertise

Prof. Shemesh’s primary area of expertise is hip and knee replacement surgery, including complex revision joint replacement procedures. He performs hip replacement surgery using all surgical approaches, including the direct anterior approach, and carries out robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement procedures utilizing some of the world’s most advanced technologies.
His expertise in orthopedic oncology enables him to provide advanced surgical treatment and complex reconstructive procedures for patients with musculoskeletal tumors. His treatment philosophy combines technological innovation with highly personalized care, aiming to relieve pain, restore function, and improve patients’ quality of life.
During his professional career, Prof. Shemesh completed several prestigious clinical fellowships at leading international medical centers:
• Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, USA – Joint Replacement Surgery.
• University of Miami / Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, USA – Orthopedic Oncology.
• AO Orthopedic Trauma Fellowship, Ulm University, Germany – Orthopedic Trauma.

Research and Academic Activity

Alongside his clinical practice, Prof. Shemesh is actively involved in research and medical education. He serves as an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, where he leads both clinical and laboratory research in his areas of expertise. His research is published regularly in leading international peer-reviewed medical journals, and he is a frequent speaker at professional conferences in Israel and abroad.
Prof. Shemesh is a member of several leading professional organizations, including:
• The Israeli Orthopedic Association and the Israeli Hip and Knee Society.
• The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS).
• The European Musculo-Skeletal Oncology Society (EMSOS).
• The European Knee Associates (EKA) and the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA).

Treatment Philosophy

Prof. Shemesh combines extensive knowledge, clinical experience, and surgical expertise with a compassionate, patient-centered approach. “I believe that my true mission as a physician and surgeon is to provide my patients with the best possible treatment, based on the latest scientific evidence and research across the various fields of orthopedics. Patients are an integral part of the diagnostic, treatment, and recovery process. Surgery is never the default option, it becomes appropriate only after all relevant conservative treatments have been exhausted. The decision to undergo surgery involves many considerations and is unique to each individual patient.”
This philosophy reflects his commitment to evidence-based medicine, individualized treatment planning, and shared decision-making, ensuring that every patient receives the most appropriate care for their specific condition and personal goals.