Joint pain isn't always a surgery problem.
If you've been told joint replacement is the next step, there's usually more to look at first. You have options.
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- Tennessee Titans team physician
- USA Basketball team physician
- Previously, Boston Celtics
- Sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon
- Greater Nashville
The pain is in your knee, your hip, your shoulder. Sometimes more than one. PT helped for a while. Cortisone helped for less. You've been told the joint is bone-on-bone, that replacement is the next step, that there's nothing else to try.
I see this trap constantly. The pills-shots-surgery ladder gets sold like it's the only ladder. It isn't.
A lot of my patients sit here, looking for a clear next step that isn't the OR.
The approach
Most of the patients who walk into my office have already been told the same thing. Pills first. Then shots. Then surgery.
Surgery is not the only option.
I still operate, and I still take patients to the OR when the joint needs it. But for many of the people who come to me, the OR isn't the right first step. There's a body of advanced non-surgical orthopedic care worth trying before we get there. Care meant to help the joint heal, calm the pain, and get you back to what you want to do.
It's not magic. It's physiology.
For some patients it works. For some it doesn't. When it doesn't, we move to the next option, surgery included, if that's what you need. No promises and no miracle language. A clear read, a clear plan, and the step you're a candidate for next.
Why Dr. Kellum
A surgeon who'll tell you when not to operate.
- Sports medicine fellowship-trained. New England Baptist. Boston Children's.
- Team physician for the Tennessee Titans and USA Basketball. Previously the Boston Celtics.
- AOA member. Peer-reviewed.
- Still operates. Doesn't recommend it first.
What patients say
Treated as if I was his only patient.
The care given by the nursing staff is amazing. And Dr. Kellum is one of the best physicians I've had the pleasure of knowing. There is no rushing through the appointment. Treated as if I was his only patient. Also, phones are answered promptly and efficiently and again not rushed. The care that is given is superb.Donna M.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where is Dr. Kellum located?
Greater Nashville.
Do I need imaging before my consultation?
Not required to request. If you have X-rays or MRI on file, plan to bring them or have them sent. If not, we'll guide you through it.
What kind of patients do you treat?
Patients who've been told the OR is next. Patients who've tried PT or cortisone with limited relief. Patients looking for a second opinion before the OR.
Does insurance cover this?
Most non-surgical care is cash-pay. We'll be straight with you about cost on the qualification call. CareCredit financing is available if you want it.
What happens at the consultation?
Review of your imaging, history, and goals. Honest read on what you're a candidate for. Clear next step.
My X-ray shows bone-on-bone. Is there anything that can actually help at that point?
Sometimes, yes. Bone-on-bone is a finding, not always a verdict. We look at the joint, the soft tissue around it, your function, and what you've already tried. For some patients, non-surgical care still has room to help. For others, the joint is past it and surgery is the honest answer. You'll get a straight read at the consultation.
Do you treat osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or both?
Primarily osteoarthritis. If you're being treated for a systemic inflammatory condition, your rheumatologist stays in the lead. We'll talk through fit at the consultation.
I have arthritis in more than one joint. Can you treat all of them?
Yes, this is common. Most patients I see have arthritis in more than one joint. We start with what's costing you the most function, and build a plan from there. A single consultation covers all of them.
I've already had a joint replaced. Can you help with the others?
Yes. Many patients come to me after one replacement and want a different path for the joints that are next.
How soon will I notice a difference?
It varies, and we won't know your timeline until we look at your joint and history. Some patients feel changes within weeks. For others it's slower, or the right call is a different path. We'll talk through realistic expectations at the consultation.