Dr. Hanson is a named co-inventor on U.S. and internationally granted patents for orthopedic fixation devices, an active researcher, and a faculty educator who has trained orthopedic surgeons for more than fifteen years.
Most surgeons use implants. Dr. Hanson helped design them. Working collaboratively with colleagues at Houston Methodist, he has contributed original engineering insight to devices that are now granted patents in the United States, Europe, and Australia, and are actively used in operating rooms today.
This is not an honorary role. The inventions grew directly from problems Dr. Hanson encountered in clinical practice, and the solutions reflect both his surgical experience and his commitment to improving outcomes for patients. When a device did not exist that adequately addressed a specific surgical challenge, he helped build one.
That same drive for better outcomes shapes how he approaches every patient. He brings the same rigor to a clinical consultation that he brings to the design of an implant: study the problem carefully, consider all available solutions, and choose the approach most likely to produce an excellent result.
Both devices were developed collaboratively with colleagues at Houston Methodist and are actively used in surgical practice today.
Jones Fracture Fixation
Jones fractures, breaks at the base of the fifth metatarsal, are among the most common foot injuries in active patients and athletes. They are also among the most challenging to fix reliably, with a well-documented risk of delayed healing and re-fracture.
This plantar bone fusion plate was designed to address specific biomechanical limitations in existing fixation options, improving stability at the fracture site and supporting reliable healing. The device is granted in the United States, Australia, and Europe.
Single-Step Compression Technology
Achieving reliable compression across a bone fusion site typically requires careful technique and multiple steps. This differential compression bone screw uses a dual thread pitch design to generate compression across the fusion site in a single insertion step, simplifying the procedure and improving reproducibility.
The device is granted in the United States and Europe, and has been cited by inventors in France, Germany, and China, including researchers at Peking University People's Hospital, reflecting its relevance to the broader orthopedic community.
Since May 2017, Dr. Hanson has held an appointment as Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery through Weill Cornell Medicine. This academic role keeps him connected to the broader research and educational community in orthopedic surgery, and reflects a commitment to advancing the field that extends well beyond his own clinical practice.
Academic faculty in clinical orthopedics contribute to the education of the next generation of surgeons, engage with emerging research, and maintain the kind of intellectual engagement with their specialty that ultimately benefits patients.
Dr. Hanson has been actively involved in the surgical education of orthopedic residents and fellows for more than fifteen years. This includes participation in cadaveric teaching laboratories, where surgeons practice and refine techniques in a controlled setting before applying them in the operating room.
He also serves as an industry design consultant, contributing his clinical perspective to the development of next-generation orthopedic implants and instruments. This work sits at the intersection of surgical practice and engineering, and reflects the same problem-solving orientation that produced his own patented inventions.
Operative Techniques in Sports Medicine
A detailed examination of posterior ankle impingement, including surgical technique and clinical outcomes for active patients and athletes.
Current Sports Medicine Reports
Practical guidance on the acute management of joint dislocations in the field, drawing on Dr. Hanson's experience as a team physician at the professional and national team level.
Foot and Ankle International
18 citations — Scopus
A comprehensive review of complications following tendon transfer procedures, providing surgeons with data to improve patient selection, technique, and outcomes.
Baxter's The Foot and Ankle in Sport, 2nd Edition — Elsevier
A contributing chapter in the definitive reference text for foot and ankle sports medicine, covering diagnosis, conservative management, and surgical treatment of subtalar joint disorders.
Foot and Ankle International — Technique Tip
A technique contribution addressing a common intraoperative challenge in ankle arthroscopy, offering a practical approach to limiting fluid extravasation and improving visualization.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Hanson at Houston Methodist West.
Request a Consultation 832-522-8273Established Patients: 832-522-8280