Michael D. Neel, MD
Dr. Michael D. Neel is a Castle Connolly Top Doctor and
board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with more than 24 years
of experience. He specializes in orthopedic oncology — the diagnosis and
surgical treatment of bone and soft tissue tumors in adults and children — as
well as hip and knee replacement in adults with arthritis and advanced joint
disease.
Dr. Neel currently serves as Chief of Orthopaedics at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, where he leads the orthopedic program for pediatric cancer patients. He lectures to national and international audiences on the surgical management of skeletally immature patients with bone cancer, the use of oncologic prostheses in adults with massive bone loss, and the management of osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis). He is a member of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, the International Society of Limb Salvage Surgeons, the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Dr. Neel completed his fellowship training in Orthopaedic Oncology at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Florida University Medical Center in Jacksonville. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama.
Dr. Neel sees patients at OrthoSouth's Briarcrest location in Memphis.
EDUCATION
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
- Association of Bone & Joint Surgeons
- International Society of Limb Salvage Surgeons
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Society
WEBINARS
FORMS & HANDOUTS
ACCOLADES
AREAS OF FOCUS / CONDITIONS TREATED
- Bone tumors (benign and malignant) in adults and children
- Soft tissue tumors and sarcomas
- Metastatic bone disease
- Massive bone loss requiring oncologic prosthesis
- Osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis) of the hip and knee
- Limb salvage surgery following tumor resection
- Hip arthritis and bone-on-bone hip pain
- Knee arthritis and bone-on-bone knee pain
- Hip and knee pain that has not responded to injections or physical therapy
- Hip replacement (total hip arthroplasty)
- Knee replacement (total knee arthroplasty)
FAQs
Q: What is orthopedic oncology?
A: Orthopedic oncology is the subspecialty of orthopedic surgery focused on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of bone and soft tissue tumors — both benign and malignant — in adults and children. Dr. Neel treats primary bone cancers, soft tissue sarcomas, metastatic bone disease, and conditions such as massive bone loss that require specialized oncologic prostheses.
Q: Does Dr. Neel treat both adults and children?
A: Yes. Dr. Neel treats both adult and pediatric patients with bone and soft tissue tumors. His role as Chief of Orthopaedics at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital reflects his expertise in managing skeletally immature patients with bone cancer — a population requiring a different surgical approach than adults due to ongoing bone growth and development.
Q: What is limb salvage surgery?
A: Limb salvage surgery is a surgical approach that removes a bone or soft tissue tumor while preserving the affected limb, rather than amputating it. Following tumor removal, Dr. Neel reconstructs the limb using oncologic prostheses, bone grafts, or a combination of techniques to restore function. Not every patient is a candidate — eligibility depends on tumor type, location, size, and overall health.
Q: What is an oncologic prosthesis?
A: An oncologic prosthesis is a specialized implant used to reconstruct bone after a tumor has been surgically removed. Unlike standard joint replacement implants, oncologic prostheses are designed to replace larger segments of bone and are used in patients with bone cancer, metastatic disease, or massive bone loss. Dr. Neel lectures nationally and internationally on the use of these implants in adult patients.
Q: What is osteonecrosis and how is it treated?
A: Osteonecrosis — also called avascular necrosis — occurs when blood supply to a bone is disrupted, causing bone tissue to die. It most commonly affects the hip. Early-stage osteonecrosis may be treated with joint-preserving procedures, while advanced cases that have caused the joint surface to collapse may require hip replacement. Dr. Neel has lectured internationally on the management of this condition.
Q: Does Dr. Neel perform hip and knee replacement?
A: Yes. In addition to his orthopedic oncology practice, Dr. Neel treats adult patients with hip and knee arthritis, including those with bone-on-bone joint pain that has not responded to injections or physical therapy. He performs total hip replacement and total knee replacement at OrthoSouth.
Q: Where does Dr. Neel see patients?
A: Dr. Neel sees patients at OrthoSouth's Briarcrest location in Memphis. To schedule an appointment, call 901.641.3000 or visit orthosouth.org.
CERTIFICATIONS
