Thomas R. Hickernell, MD

Thomas Hickernell, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon who offers patients a variety of services and procedures related to orthopaedic and degenerative conditions of the hip and knee.

He specializes in minimally invasive, muscle-sparing anterior hip replacement, total and partial knee replacement, and complex revision surgery on previously replaced and problematic joint replacements or patients with hip or knee infections.

Dr. Hickernell says he was drawn to orthopaedics because of the idea that people “wheel in and walk out.”

“There’s an immediate gratification for myself and the patient when we can help them return to their quality of life,” he says. “Especially when it comes to hip and knee replacement surgery, I find it rewarding to restore someone’s ability to walk and enjoy the things they like to do. The ability to walk is something we take for granted until we lose it.”

Dr. Hickernell says he makes a point to listen to his patients to understand their goals. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach. I’m a surgeon, but most patients I treat don’t have surgery as I provide a whole range of nonoperative treatments,” he says.

For joint replacement patients who meet the criteria, Dr. Hickernell uses Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols to facilitate same-day discharges. He also utilizes opioid-sparing methods for pain control, a subject he is also studying. Dr. Hickernell’s research is regularly published in journals including the Journal of Arthroplasty and the Journal of the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons.