Knee Replacement Surgeon in Nashville, TN: Dr. Damon H. Petty, MD
When knee pain stops being a background ache and starts shaping your day, every stair, every grocery run, every hour of sleep, it is time for an expert evaluation. Advanced knee arthritis does not reverse on its own, and the right knee replacement surgeon makes the difference between a knee that carries you confidently into the next 20 years and one that never quite feels right again.
Dr. Damon H. Petty is a double board-certified orthopedic surgeon, certified in both Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, with over 25 years of experience treating complex knee conditions. He served as Head Orthopedic Team Physician for the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2026 and brings the same operative standard used on NFL athletes to every patient at his Nashville clinic through Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance (TOA).
When Knee Replacement Is the Right Choice
Knee replacement is not the first treatment offered at Dr. Petty’s practice. It is the operation considered after physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, weight management, activity modification, cortisone or hyaluronic acid injections, and regenerative options like PRP have been tried and exhausted.
The patients who benefit most from knee replacement surgery share common clinical and imaging findings. Bone-on-bone or near bone-on-bone osteoarthritis of the knee on weight-bearing X-rays. Pain that persists through the day, limits daily activity, and disrupts sleep at night. Instability or mechanical symptoms such as buckling, catching, or locking. Little to no meaningful improvement after 3 to 6 months of conservative care.
For patients with earlier-stage arthritis, Dr. Petty’s practice also offers evidence-based regenerative alternatives including PRP and bone marrow aspirate concentrate stem cell therapy. Learn more on our dedicated PRP Injections and Stem Cell Therapy pages. When surgery does become the right path forward, you receive a clear plan, a realistic timeline, and a surgeon who will answer every question before the first decision is made.
Total Knee Replacement, Partial Knee Replacement, and Revision
Not every patient with shoulder pain needs a reverse shoulder replacement, and not every patient who has exhausted conservative care is a reverse candidate. A careful evaluation, including X-rays, MRI, and sometimes a CT, is what separates the two groups.
Dr. Petty considers the following indications:
Total Knee Replacement
In a total knee replacement, the damaged joint surfaces of the femur (thighbone), tibia (shinbone), and patella (kneecap) are resurfaced with precision-engineered metal components and a polyethylene insert that acts as smooth new cartilage inside the joint. The procedure is the right joint replacement choice for patients with arthritis across the whole knee. Most total knee replacement implants last 20 years or longer in appropriately selected patients.
Partial Knee Replacement
When arthritis is confined to a single compartment of the knee, the medial, lateral, or patellofemoral joint surface, a partial knee replacement may be a better fit than a total joint replacement. Partial knee replacement preserves the healthy cartilage, the ACL and PCL, and most of the native femur and tibia bone. The incision is smaller, recovery is faster, and the knee feels more natural because the uninvolved compartments of the joint are untouched.
Revision Knee Replacement
For patients whose original knee replacement has worn, loosened, or failed, Dr. Petty performs revision joint replacement surgery. Revision cases require a surgeon comfortable handling femur and tibia bone loss, implant removal, and the complex joint reconstructions that often accompany a failed primary knee replacement.
Minimally Invasive, Robotic, and Outpatient Joint Replacement
Modern joint replacement surgery is not the operation it was 20 years ago. Dr. Petty uses minimally invasive knee replacement techniques that reduce surgical tissue disruption compared to older exposures. The incision is typically 4 to 6 inches, compared to the 10 to 12 inches required for traditional open exposure. The quadriceps tendon is spared when anatomy allows, which protects the muscle that drives every step out of bed, every stair, and every walk.
Robotic Knee Replacement
Uses pre-operative CT imaging to build a three-dimensional model of your joint and plan implant position to the millimeter.
During surgery, the robotic arm guides bone cuts within a precisely defined boundary.
Can improve alignment accuracy in appropriate cases compared to manual techniques alone.
Outpatient Knee Replacement
Most healthy patients are now candidates for outpatient knee replacement, going home the day of surgery or the morning after.
Outpatient joint replacement is made possible by advances in regional nerve block anesthesia, minimally invasive surgical technique, and early mobilization protocols.
Less time in a hospital bed, faster return to a familiar environment, and a smoother overall recovery.
Overview
How It Works
Potential Benefits
Dr. Petty's Approach
Robotic-assisted joint replacement does not replace surgical judgment—it augments it. Dr. Petty recommends robotic assistance when the case benefits from added precision and a conventional minimally invasive approach when it does not.
Patients with more complex medical histories may benefit from a brief inpatient stay, a decision Dr. Petty reviews with every patient before scheduling the procedure.
Key Takeaway
The robotic platform is a tool, not a marketing claim.
Outpatient recovery is available for many patients, but suitability is determined individually.
The Knee Replacement Procedure, Step by Step
The surgical procedure for knee replacement at Dr. Petty’s practice typically takes 60 to 90 minutes from incision to closure and is performed under spinal or general anesthesia with a regional nerve block for post-operative pain control.
1.
Anesthesia and positioning
A regional nerve block and spinal or light general anesthesia are administered. A tourniquet is applied to the upper thigh to minimize surgical blood loss.
2.
Incision and surgical exposure
A 4 to 6 inch incision opens the knee joint while sparing the quadriceps tendon when anatomy permits.
3.
Femoral preparation
The damaged end of the femur is precisely cut using patient-specific guides to match the new joint implant.
4.
Tibial preparation
The top of the tibia is resurfaced and sized for the tibial component of the joint implant.
5.
Implant placement
The femoral and tibial components are secured to the femur and tibia with bone cement. A polyethylene bearing insert is placed between them to act as the new cartilage surface of the joint.
6.
Patellar resurfacing
The back of the kneecap is resurfaced with a plastic component when indicated.
7.
Trial and closure
The new joint is taken through its full range of motion to confirm alignment, balance, and stability before final surgical closure.
Most knee replacement patients are appropriate for an outpatient or short-stay surgical pathway, going home the same day or the morning after the joint replacement procedure.
Knee Replacement Recovery Time and Rehabilitation
Recovery from knee replacement surgery is structured and predictable when the patient follows the protocol.
Day 0 to 1
You are up and walking with a walker on the day of surgery, usually within a few hours of leaving the recovery room. Weight bearing is allowed immediately.
Weeks 1 to 2
Walker comes off for most patients during this window. Pain is managed with a combination of acetaminophen, short-course oral opioids, ice, and the regional block effect that carries into the first day. Home physical therapy begins within 48 hours of surgery.
Weeks 2 to 6
Formal outpatient physical therapy 2 to 3 times a week. Range of motion normalizes. Most patients are driving by week 4 to 6 once off opioid pain medication and able to control the pedals.
Weeks 6 to 12
Return to most daily activities including desk work, longer walks, stairs without a railing, and light recreational activity. Golf is usually cleared at 3 months.
Months 3 to 6
Strength symmetry rebuilds. Pain, swelling, and stiffness continue to decline. Most patients feel the knee is functionally their own.
Months 6 to 12
Full recovery with a return to hiking, doubles tennis, pickleball, and most recreational sport. High-impact activity like long-distance running and contact sport is generally discouraged for long-term implant preservation.
Cost of Knee Replacement in Nashville
Knee replacement is a medically necessary procedure when advanced arthritis limits function or quality of life, which means most patients have their surgery covered by insurance.
Total knee replacement costs in the United States
$30,000 to $50,000
Including hospital or surgery center fees, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and follow-up care. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan, deductible, and co-insurance.
Dr. Petty practices through Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance, which accepts most major insurance plans. Our team provides a transparent cost estimate during your consultation so there are no surprises.
Returning a Nashville Patient to Full Activity
Patient: 64-year-old retired executive from Brentwood with bilateral advanced knee osteoarthritis. Avid golfer and hiker, activities the patient had abandoned over the previous 3 years due to pain and swelling.
Diagnosis: Bilateral tricompartmental osteoarthritis, bone-on-bone on weight-bearing X-rays. Previous management included 2 years of NSAIDs, three hyaluronic acid injection series, and 6 months of PT.
Procedure
Staged bilateral total knee replacement with minimally invasive exposure. Right knee replaced first, followed by the left knee 10 weeks later.
Outcome
Walker off at 10 days after the first replacement. Cleared for driving at 5 weeks. Returned to the driving range at 12 weeks, full 18 holes walking at 6 months. At 1 year the patient was hiking Percy Warner Park and had resumed doubles pickleball twice a week.
Why Choose Dr. Petty for Knee Replacement in Nashville
Choosing a knee replacement surgeon in Nashville is a decision that lasts decades. The right surgeon listens, explains every option, and recommends a joint replacement operation only when conservative care can no longer achieve your goals.
Dr. Petty is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon who graduated from Harvard University with honors and earned his medical degree at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He completed his orthopedic surgical residency at the Cleveland Clinic, consistently ranked among the top orthopedic programs in the country, followed by a highly selective sports medicine fellowship under Drs. James Andrews and William Clancy in Birmingham, Alabama.
He holds dual board certification in both Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, an uncommon credential combination among Nashville joint replacement surgeons. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and has published research in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
Beyond his Titans role, Dr. Petty has served as Team Physician for Tennessee State University for 15 years and as Head Orthopedic Surgeon for the Nashville Sounds during the Pittsburgh Pirates affiliation era. Every knee replacement and joint replacement case is performed by Dr. Petty personally. Never delegated to a PA, never rushed.
Patient Reviews
“Dr. Petty replaced both my knees a year apart. I could not be happier. I was walking the day of surgery and playing golf 3 months later. He explained every step so clearly that nothing surprised me.”
— Robert S., Franklin
“After years of being told I was too young for knee replacement, Dr. Petty reviewed my X-rays and gave me the honest conversation I needed. 6 months post surgery I am back to hiking with my grandkids. I wish I had found him first.”
— Patricia M., Murfreesboro
“I had my knee replacement with Dr. Petty last spring. His office was organized, the outpatient surgery went smoothly, and I was walking without a cane in 3 weeks. He treats you like he is your family doctor, not just your surgeon.”
— David W., Nashville
“I am a former college athlete and my knee was done. Dr. Petty understood what it means to want your body back. 4 months after surgery I was back on the tennis court.”
— Janice G., Hendersonville
Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Replacement
Schedule a Consultation in Nashville
We serve knee replacement patients from Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, Gallatin, Lebanon, and communities across Middle Tennessee, as well as patients from states throughout the Eastern United States who travel to Nashville for Dr. Petty’s specific surgical expertise.