He has authored or co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers and more than 20 textbooks. He participates on the editorial boards of several peer-reviewed journals including Spine, The Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques, The Spine Journal, and The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (Br). In the Spring of 2007, Dr. Hilibrand was one of 5 American Orthopaedic Surgeons chosen to lecture to Orthopaedic Surgeons around the world representing the American Orthopaedic Association as an ABC Traveling Fellow. He has received numerous grants and awards from the Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) and recently completed a 4-year term as the Chairman of the CSRS Research Committee. He was selected by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) as a Leadership Fellow in 2005 and currently serves as vice-chair of the Communications Cabinet of the AAOS.
He specializes in the comprehensive treatment of numerous pathologic conditions affecting the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spines including degenerative disk disease, scoliosis and other deformities, trauma, infections and tumors.