Shoulder Replacement Surgeon in Nashville, TN: Dr. Damon H. Petty
If you live with shoulder pain that has stopped responding to cortisone injections, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medication, shoulder replacement may be the next step. When arthritis wears down the cartilage, when a rotator cuff tear has failed conventional repair, or when a previous shoulder surgery has not held, the right shoulder replacement can take away years of pain and restore daily function.
Dr. Damon H. Petty is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with additional board certification in sports medicine. He is fellowship-trained under Drs. James Andrews and William Clancy in Birmingham, Alabama, and he has spent over 25 years performing shoulder surgery on professional athletes, high-level recreational athletes, and everyday patients across Middle Tennessee. He served as Head Orthopedic Team Physician for the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2026, has been team physician for Tennessee State University for 15 years, and was the Head Orthopedic Surgeon for the Nashville Sounds during their Pittsburgh Pirates affiliation. Dr. Petty practices through Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance (TOA) in Nashville.
His philosophy for shoulder replacement is straightforward: pick the right implant for the right patient, place it precisely, protect long-term function, and stand behind the outcome. True excellence in shoulder replacement lies in personalization, not in a one-size-fits-all system.
When Shoulder Replacement Becomes the Right Choice
Shoulder replacement is rarely the first treatment. Most patients reach this decision after months or years of conservative care. When daily activities like reaching into a cabinet, dressing, sleeping on the affected side, or lifting a grocery bag have become painful or impossible, and when injections and physical therapy no longer provide lasting relief, a shoulder replacement evaluation makes sense.
Shoulder Arthritis and Rotator Cuff Disease
Severe osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulder wear down the cartilage that cushions the joint. Over time, the humeral head and the glenoid socket rub directly against each other. Shoulder replacement removes the damaged surfaces and replaces them with durable implants. For patients whose arthritis is combined with a large, irreparable rotator cuff tear, a reverse total shoulder replacement is often the better choice because it does not rely on the rotator cuff for shoulder stability.
Failed Previous Surgery and Complex Revision
If a previous rotator cuff repair has failed and arthritis has developed, or if a prior shoulder replacement has loosened or dislocated, revision shoulder replacement is a specialized procedure. These cases often involve bone loss, altered anatomy, and implant removal, and they require a surgeon who handles them regularly.
Younger, High-Demand Patients
Not every shoulder needs a full replacement. For younger patients with early cartilage damage who remain highly active, bone-preserving options like partial shoulder resurfacing may delay or avoid a full implant while supporting a return to demanding activity. Dr. Petty evaluates every patient with the full spectrum of options in mind.
Conventional Total Shoulder Replacement in Nashville
Conventional (anatomic) total shoulder replacement is the time-tested solution for shoulder arthritis in patients with an intact, functional rotator cuff. The goal is reliable pain relief and restored motion in a shoulder that has been worn down by years of cartilage loss.
Personalized Implant Selection
Dr. Petty does not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. For lower-demand patients or those with specific anatomical considerations, he uses proven conventional systems, including implants from Zimmer Biomet, selected for durability, proven reliability, and consistently strong clinical outcomes. For technically complex cases, including deformity or bone loss, the reconstruction may include metal baseplates for enhanced socket fixation, modular plastic liners for improved stability, and customized components for optimal biomechanics. Every decision is driven by anatomy, lifestyle, and long-term success.
Advanced Technology for the Most Complex Cases
For the most demanding shoulder reconstructions, Dr. Petty uses the Arthrex VIP System, one of the most advanced preoperative planning systems available. The system provides CT-based 3D modeling of the exact shoulder anatomy, computer-guided preoperative planning, patient-specific surgical models, and greater accuracy in implant positioning. The result is improved implant alignment and optimized long-term outcomes.
Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement for Rotator Cuff Deficiency
When severe arthritis is combined with a rotator cuff that is torn beyond repair, conventional shoulder replacement often will not hold. Reverse total shoulder replacement was engineered specifically to solve this problem and has become the standard of care for rotator cuff tear arthropathy, massive irreparable rotator cuff tears with weakness, and certain failed prior shoulder replacements.
How It Works
Unlike conventional shoulder replacement, reverse shoulder replacement reverses the ball-and-socket orientation. The ball is placed on the socket side of the joint, and the socket is placed on top of the arm bone. This design allows the deltoid muscle, the large muscle on the outside of the shoulder, to power the joint directly, compensating for a rotator cuff that can no longer support it. The result is restored stability, improved strength, and meaningful pain relief in patients who otherwise have very limited surgical options.
15+ Years. Zero Dislocations.
Zero Component Failures.
Dr. Petty has performed reverse total shoulder replacement for over 15 years, primarily with the DJO Reverse Shoulder System, a platform chosen for its durability and biomechanical reliability. To date, across those 15+ years, he has experienced no dislocations and no component failures. Patients receive excellent pain relief, improved daily function, clear activity guidelines designed to protect the implant, and stable, dependable shoulder mechanics.
Partial Shoulder Resurfacing (Hemiarthroplasty) for Active Patients
Not every shoulder needs a stemmed implant. For younger, high-demand patients who are not ready for a full shoulder replacement, partial shoulder resurfacing offers a powerful, bone-preserving alternative designed for strength, durability, and return to elite performance.
Dr. Petty is one of a small number of Nashville surgeons who performs this procedure regularly, and he has been doing so for more than 25 years.
Who Benefits From Resurfacing
Athletes across multiple sports, firefighters, military special forces operators, weightlifters
Highly active professionals whose daily work or sport demands full unrestricted shoulder strength.
In this procedure, the native humeral head is preserved and capped with a durable metal hemisphere (such as the Arthrosurface OVO) rather than removed and replaced with a stemmed implant.
Why Resurfacing, When Appropriate
Preserves bone for any future procedure that may be needed decades later.
Avoids stem placement down the arm bone.
Maintains native anatomy and proprioception.
Allows return to high-level activity, including heavy lifting and tactical performance.
25 Years. Zero Loosening.
Dr. Petty has performed shoulder resurfacing procedures for over 25 years with zero loosening and zero implant failures to date. Patients return to unrestricted activity, including heavy lifting and tactical performance, with confidence and stability. Resurfacing is a strategic solution for the right candidate, not a universal alternative to full replacement. Dr. Petty will tell you honestly which procedure your shoulder needs.
The Shoulder Replacement Procedure: What to Expect
Every shoulder replacement Dr. Petty performs, conventional, reverse, or resurfacing, follows the same careful surgical sequence. The details vary by implant type, but the structure of the visit is consistent.
1.
Consultation and Imaging Review
Dr. Petty reviews your history, physical exam findings, X-rays, and MRI or CT scans. For complex reconstructions, CT imaging is used with the Arthrex VIP system to plan implant positioning in three dimensions before the operating room.
2.
Anesthesia
Shoulder replacement is performed under general anesthesia, supplemented by a regional nerve block that controls post-operative pain for the first 18 to 24 hours and reduces opioid requirements after surgery.
3.
Surgical Approach and Implant Placement
Through a carefully planned incision over the front of the shoulder, the damaged surfaces are removed and the chosen implant system is placed according to the preoperative plan. Depending on the procedure, this takes 60 to 120 minutes.
4.
Closure and Recovery Room
Persistent greater trochanteric bursitis that has not improved with conservative care
5.
Discharge
Most conventional and reverse shoulder replacement patients go home the same day or the following morning. Partial resurfacing is typically same-day outpatient. You leave with a sling, a written home-exercise plan, and prescriptions for pain control.
Shoulder Replacement Recovery: Timeline and Return to Activity
Shoulder replacement recovery follows a structured 4 to 6 month timeline. The specifics vary by procedure (reverse replacement protects the deltoid, conventional protects the subscapularis repair, resurfacing allows earlier aggressive rehab), and Dr. Petty builds an individual plan for every patient.
Week 1 to 2
Sling at all times except during prescribed pendulum exercises. Pain controlled with ice, acetaminophen, and a short course of prescription medication. Physical therapy begins within the first week to maintain gentle passive motion and protect the repair.
Weeks 2 to 6
Continued passive range of motion under the supervision of a physical therapist. Most patients return to desk work and driving during this window, once cleared. The sling comes off at home by the end of week 6 for most patients.
Weeks 6 to 12
Transition to active-assisted and then active range of motion. Light strengthening begins under PT guidance. Most patients regain comfortable overhead motion during this phase.
Months 3 to 6
Progressive strengthening and return to low-impact recreational activity. Golf is typically cleared around 4 to 5 months, depending on the procedure and the patient.
Months 6 to 12
Return to full activity within the activity guidelines for each implant type. For resurfacing patients, those guidelines often include a return to heavy lifting and tactical performance. For reverse and conventional replacements, weight restrictions are permanent by design, and Dr. Petty will go over those with you in detail before surgery.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Petty for Shoulder Replacement
Choosing a shoulder replacement surgeon in Nashville shapes the next year of your life and, often, the next 15 to 20 years your implant will need to perform. The right surgeon listens carefully, explains every option, picks the right procedure for your anatomy and lifestyle, and stands behind the outcome.
Credentials and Training
Dr. Petty graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree with honors and earned his medical degree at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He completed his orthopedic 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. Dr. Andrews is widely considered one of the most prominent sports medicine surgeons in the world, and Dr. Petty trained directly under his mentorship.
Dr. Petty holds two board certifications, Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM). He was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society, received the Sports Medicine Person of the Year award in 2005, and has published research in the American Journal of Sports Medicine on elbow and shoulder injuries in throwing athletes, work that continues to guide treatment for elite performers.
Team Physician Experience
Dr. Petty served as Head Orthopedic Team Physician for the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2026. He has been the team physician for Tennessee State University for the last 15 years and was the Head Orthopedic Surgeon for the Nashville Sounds during their Pittsburgh Pirates affiliation. He has also covered Nashville Metros Soccer, Cumberland University, Trevecca Nazarene University, the Tennessee Diamonds Fastpitch Softball team, and numerous area high schools. Trusted by athletes from the NFL, MLB, and NBA, he brings the same level of care to every patient in his Nashville clinic.
Patient Reviews
“I put off shoulder surgery for years because I was terrified of losing my independence. Dr. Petty walked me through every option and answered every question. Six months later I am sleeping through the night again and back to gardening. I wish I had not waited.”
— Margaret S., Nashville
“My rotator cuff had been torn for years and my arthritis was severe. Dr. Petty recommended a reverse total shoulder replacement and explained exactly why. The surgery went perfectly, recovery was on schedule, and I can finally lift my arm over my head without pain.”
— Robert C., Franklin
I am a firefighter and I needed to get back to full duty. Dr. Petty did a shoulder resurfacing on me, not a full replacement, so my bone was preserved. I am back on the job with no restrictions. I cannot recommend him highly enough.”
— Daniel R., Brentwood
“Dr. Petty explained the difference between a regular shoulder replacement and the reverse one, and why my rotator cuff tear meant I needed the reverse. He never rushed me. His entire team from scheduling to physical therapy has been outstanding.”
— Susan T., Murfreesboro
Frequently Asked Questions About Shoulder Replacement
Schedule Your Shoulder Replacement Consultation
If your shoulder pain has changed the way you live, work, and sleep, and if conservative treatment is no longer enough, a shoulder replacement evaluation with Dr. Petty gives you a clear diagnosis, every treatment option, and an honest recommendation. Bring your X-rays and any prior MRI to your first visit to speed the evaluation.
We serve patients from Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, Gallatin, Lebanon, and the greater Middle Tennessee area. Dr. Petty also sees patients who travel for world-class care, some from over 500 miles away, including recent patients from Kansas City, drawn by his specific expertise and reputation.