Owen B. Tabor, Jr., MD
Dr. Owen B. Tabor, Jr. is a Castle Connolly Top Doctor and
board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon at OrthoSouth
specializing in hip and knee replacement - including partial knee replacement,
total knee replacement, and robotic-assisted knee replacement. He completed the
Winkler Orthopaedic Research Fellowship at Carolinas Medical Center in
Charlotte, North Carolina, a dedicated research fellowship focused specifically
on unicompartmental (partial) knee arthroplasty, and has conducted long-term
follow-up research on partial knee replacement outcomes.
Dr. Tabor earned his medical degree from the University of Virginia
School of Medicine and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Carolinas
Medical Center. His research and clinical focus on partial knee replacement
gives him a distinctive depth of expertise in evaluating whether a partial or
total replacement is the right approach for each patient - a decision that
significantly affects recovery time and long-term outcome.
He has been featured in Memphis Magazine for his joint replacement work and has published patient education content on returning to running and active lifestyles after knee replacement. Dr. Tabor sees patients at OrthoSouth's Bartlett and Primacy locations and is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Tennessee Orthopaedic Society, the Memphis Orthopaedic Society, and the Southern Orthopaedic Association.
FELLOWSHIP
Carolinas Medical Center-Charlotte, NC
Winkler Orthopaedic Research Fellow
EDUCATION
Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine - Charlottesville, VA
Residency: Orthopaedic Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center - Charlotte, NC
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
- Tennessee Orthopaedic Society
- Memphis Orthopaedic Society
- Southern Orthopaedic Association
ARTICLES
PATIENT TESTIMONIALS
ACCOLADES
CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES
Knee
- Knee arthritis (osteoarthritis)
- Bone-on-bone knee pain
- Knee pain limiting walking, climbing stairs, or standing
- Knee pain that wakes you at night
- Knee pain that has not improved with injections or physical therapy
- Total knee replacement
- Partial knee replacement (unicompartmental arthroplasty)
- Robotic-assisted knee replacement
- Knee replacement revision surgery
- Activity and return to sport after joint replacement
Hip
- Hip arthritis (osteoarthritis)
- Bone-on-bone hip pain
- Hip pain limiting walking or daily activity
- Total hip replacement
- Hip replacement revision surgery
-
Hip pain not improved by injections or physical therapy
Robotic-assisted hip replacement
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1: What does Dr. Tabor
specialize in?
|
A:
Dr. Tabor is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon
specializing in hip and knee replacement, including robotic-assisted knee
replacement and partial knee replacement. He treats patients with hip and
knee arthritis, bone-on-bone joint pain, and conditions that have not
responded to injections or physical therapy. He sees patients at OrthoSouth's
Bartlett and Primacy locations. |
|
A:
Total knee replacement resurfaces all three compartments of the knee joint.
Partial knee replacement — also called unicompartmental knee replacement —
resurfaces only the damaged compartment, typically the inner (medial) side.
Because it preserves more of the natural knee structure, partial replacement
often allows a faster recovery and can produce a more natural-feeling knee
for appropriate candidates. Dr. Tabor has been involved in long-term research
on partial knee replacement outcomes and performs both procedures. He will
evaluate your imaging and symptoms to determine which approach — if either —
is right for you. |
|
A:
Yes. Dr. Tabor performs robotic-assisted knee replacement. This approach uses
a computer-guided system to create a 3D model of the patient's knee anatomy
before surgery, allowing for more precise planning and implant positioning
than traditional manual techniques. Improved precision can contribute to
better alignment and a more natural-feeling knee. Dr. Tabor determines
candidacy during the evaluation. |
|
A:
Many patients return to low-impact and moderate-activity exercise after joint
replacement, including walking, cycling, swimming, and golf. Running after
joint replacement is possible for some patients and depends on the implant
type, surgical technique, bone quality, and overall health. Dr. Tabor has
written on this topic and takes a patient-specific approach to activity goals
after surgery. He will discuss realistic expectations during your
consultation. |
|
A:
Most patients consider joint replacement when pain is significantly limiting
daily life — difficulty walking more than a short distance, trouble with
stairs, or waking at night from joint pain — and conservative treatments such
as injections and physical therapy have not provided lasting relief. Dr.
Tabor performs a full evaluation including imaging and walks through all
available options before any surgical recommendation is made. |
|
A:
Most patients are walking the same day as surgery. Full recovery typically
takes three to six months, depending on the procedure, technique, and the
patient's commitment to physical therapy. Dr. Tabor and the OrthoSouth care
team provide a structured recovery plan that begins before surgery and
includes guidance on activity progression. |
|
A:
Dr. Tabor sees patients at two OrthoSouth locations: Bartlett and Memphis -
Primacy. To schedule an appointment, call 901.641.3000 or visit
orthosouth.org. |
CERTIFICATIONS
