A shoulder you can use again.
Surgery is not the only option. Most shoulders don't need the OR to get better.
Request Consultation
- Tennessee Titans team physician
- USA Basketball team physician
- Previously, Boston Celtics
- Sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon
- Greater Nashville
You can't reach overhead. You can't sleep on that side. The MRI says rotator cuff, or labrum, or both. The surgeon says fix it. You've heard about the recovery, and you're not in.
That's the room a lot of my shoulder patients are in. I see this trap constantly. An MRI finding becomes a surgical recommendation before anyone asks whether the OR is the right first step. For most of them, it isn't.
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 MRI shows a full-thickness tear. Is non-surgical care still on the table?
Often, yes. Tear size, age, and what you want to do with the shoulder all factor in. Worth a consultation before the OR.
I'm worried about losing six months to surgical recovery, or worse, ending up with a shoulder that's not as good as before. Is there really another option?
Yes, for some patients. Non-surgical orthopedic care is meant to help the shoulder heal without taking you out of your life for months. It doesn't work for everyone. When it does, you keep your shoulder and skip the recovery window. When it doesn't, surgery is still on the table. Worth a consultation before you commit.
Do you treat labrum tears the same as rotator cuff?
The approach is similar but not identical. We'll talk through what your imaging shows and what makes sense.
I had shoulder surgery years ago and the pain is back. Can you help?
Often, yes. Post-surgical patients are a sizable share of who I see.
How long until I can lift overhead again?
Most patients see meaningful change in weeks to months. We set expectations at the consultation based on what we find.