Alex Gu, MD

Dr. Alex Gu specializes in primary and complex hip and knee replacement using the latest advances in surgical techniques and technology, including robotic and technology-assisted arthroplasty. His philosophy is simple: the best outcomes come from combining precise surgery with thoughtful preparation and individualized care.

A defining focus of Dr. Gu’s practice is bone health optimization. Healthy bone is fundamental to successful joint replacement, influencing implant fixation, recovery, and long-term durability. Working closely with specialists across Washington University, he strives to identify and address factors that may affect surgical success, creating a comprehensive approach that prepares patients, not just their joints, for surgery.

Dr. Gu completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at The George Washington University and fellowship training in Adult Reconstruction at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. His advanced training focused on primary and revision hip and knee replacement, including complex cases and the use of advanced surgical technologies.

In addition to caring for patients, Dr. Gu is actively involved in research and innovation focused on improving the safety, outcomes and long-term success of joint replacement.

Common Diagnoses Treated

Avascular necrosis
Degenerative conditions of the hip and knee
Osteoarthritis of the hip and knee
Rheumatoid arthritis of the hip and knee
Post-traumatic arthritis of the hip and knee

Common Procedures

Painful total hip and knee replacements
Total hip and knee replacement
Anterior hip replacement
Partial knee replacement
Revision hip and knee replacement
Robotic hip and knee replacement
Minimally invasive hip and knee replacement

Clinical Office Locations

Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital

Medical Office Building 4
1044 North Mason Road, Suite 110
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
Center for Advanced Medicine

4921 Parkview Place
St Louis, MO 63110

Hospital Affiliations

Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
Missouri Baptist Medical Center

Academic Office Mailing Address

Washington University School of Medicine

Campus Box 8233

660 Euclid Avenue

Saint Louis, MO 63110

Meet my team

Peyten Evers, RN, BSN, Clinical Nurse Coordinator

MyChart Patient Portal

Patient Education

Hip and Knee patient education

Patient Resources

Patient Forms

Click here for patient forms

Dr. Gu has contributed more than 190 publications to the field of orthopaedics. A selection of his work is highlighted below. For a complete list, view his NIH National Library of Medicine bibliography.

Selected publications:

Zhao AY, Parel PM, Maust DT, Sala-Rabanal M, Grucza RA, Park TW, Tellor Pennington BR, Nunley RM, Avidan MS, Tang VL, Lenze EJ, Gu A, Xu KY. “Pre- and Postoperative Prescription of Opioids and Benzodiazepines in the United States.” J Am Coll Surg. 2026;242(2):322–334
Zhao AY, Chiu A, Agarwal AR, Harris AB, Zhao AY, Chiu A, Agarwal AR, Harris AB, Gu A, Kurian S, Golladay GJ, Thakkar SC. “The Growing Burden of Periprosthetic Fractures After Total Hip Arthroplasty: Identifying Overall Trends and At-Risk Groups.” Osteoporosis Int. 2025 Aug;36(8):1371-1377.
Bernstein SA, Gu A. “The Success of a Trainee-Driven Platform: Inside The Match.” Acad Med. 2022; 98:10-11.
Quan T, Gu A, Agarwal AR, Bernstein SA, Malyavko A, Levine WN, Cannada LK, Ast MP, Bernstein SL, Campbell JC, Cipriano CA, Das A, Dingle ME, Doerre TE, Fuller SI, Harmon T, Hogue G, Liu IZ, London D, Mulcahey MK, Ranson R, Schuett D, Sharma D, Srikumaran U, Tabaie SA, Tarawneh OH, Thakkar SC, Zhao A. “The Impact of a Virtual Orthopaedic Surgery Symposium on Medical Students: Increasing Awareness and Knowledge of the Field.” JBJS Open Access. 2022; 7:e22.00088.
Shen TS, Gu A, Bovonratwet P, Ondeck NT, Sculco PK, Su EP. "Etiology and Complications of Early Aseptic Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty Within 90 Days." J Arthroplasty. 2021;36(5):1734-1739.
Gu A, Fassihi SC, Agarwal A, Bovonratwet P, Campbell JC, Sculco PK. “Does Symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Increase the Risk of Periprosthetic Joint Infection after Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty?” J Arthroplasty. 2021;36(3):897-904.
Gu A, Fassihi SC, Wessel LE, Kahlenberg CK, Ast MP, Sculco PK, Nunley RM. “Comparison of Revision Risk Based on Timing of Knee Arthroscopy prior to Total Knee Arthroplasty.” J Bone Joint Surg. 2021; 103: 660-667.
Agarwal AR, Malyavko A, Gu A, Harris AB, Rao S, Sterling RS, Golladay GJ, Thakkar SC. “Can Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Surgeons Help Address the Osteoporosis Epidemic?” Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2023;481:1660-1668.
Gu A, Doe K, Bracey L, Agarwal A, Farley B, Fraychineaud T, Knapp B, Raffa T, Tabaie S, Debritz J, Sterling R. "Increased 1-year revision rates among left-sided intertrochanteric femur fractures." J Orthop Trauma. 2024. 38: 431-434.
Kralles HL, Zhao AY, Gu A, Agarwal AR, Thakkar SC. “Impact of social determinants on osteoporosis treatment and secondary fracture risk after primary fragility fractures.” Arch Osteoporos. 2025.20:53.

Research Interests

In addition to caring for patients, Dr. Gu is committed to advancing the field of joint replacement through research, innovation, and education. His research focuses on improving patient outcomes through bone health optimization, implant fixation, surgical technology, and perioperative optimization. By translating scientific discovery into clinical practice, his goal is to continually improve the safety, durability, and long-term success of joint replacement.

Background

Dr. Gu completed orthopaedic surgery residency at The George Washington University before pursuing fellowship training in Adult Reconstruction at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. His training provided extensive experience in complex primary and revision hip and knee replacement while exposing him to the newest innovations in arthroplasty, advanced surgical technology, and multidisciplinary patient care.

Board Certifications

Board-eligible, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Medical Degree

George Washington University, Washington, DC

Residency

Orthopaedic Surgery, George Washington University, Washington, DC

Fellowship

Adult Reconstruction, Hip Preservation and Resurfacing, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO

Honors and Awards

Fellow of the Year Award (Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; 2026)
Resident Teaching Award (George Washington University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; 2025)
American Orthopaedic Association Resident Leadership Forum Selection, (AOA, 2024)
Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation Mid-Atlantic Region Resident Research Symposium Second Place Award Recipient (OREF; May 2024)
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (CORR) “Letter to the Editor” Award (CORR, January 2024)
Alpha Omega Alpha (George Washington University: May 2023)
AAHKS Representative, ORS Clinician Scholar Development Program (ORS: Sept 2023)
George Washington University Robert Chernak Award for Staff Member of the Year (George Washington University; April 2023)
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery Resident of the Month Award (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: May 2022)
Clinical Resident Golden Apple Teaching Award (George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences; 2021)- Selected by the Medical Student Classes of 2021 and 2022
Junior Surgeon Leadership Award (George Washington University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; 2021)
SOA Scott D. Mair, MD Donor Award (Southern Orthopaedic Association; 2021)
Eastern Orthopaedic Association Thomas R. Bowen Award (Eastern Orthopedic Association; 2021)
Eastern Orthopaedic Association Thomas R. Bowen Award (Eastern Orthopedic Association; 2021)
Harley and Betty Baxter Resident Award (Southern Orthopaedic Association; 2020)
Julius S. Neviaser Award in Orthopaedic Surgery (George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences; 2020)
EOA/OREF Resident/Fellow New Investigator Award (Eastern Orthopedic Association/Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation; 2019)

Professional Societies and Organizations

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons
American Orthopaedic Association
Alpha Omega Alpha

WashU Medicine Orthopedics