David A. Deneka, MD
Dr. Deneka has over 27 years of on-the-field experience treating athletes, as well as performing the latest arthroscopic surgical techniques. He enjoys taking care of athletes, and his practice focuses primarily on the treatment of knee and shoulder injuries, as well as general orthopaedic conditions. He has also served as an associate team physician for the Memphis Grizzlies. Prior, he served as the team physician for Evangelical Christian School for 17 years and one of the team physicians for Middle Tennessee State University for 7 years.
During his free time, Dr. Deneka enjoys spending time with his wife and three sons.
FELLOWSHIP
EDUCATION
University of Mississippi - Oxford, MS
Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine - Nashville, TN
Residency: Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Washington - Seattle, WA
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
ACCOLADES
FAQ's
What kind of orthopedic care does Dr. Deneka provide?
Dr. Deneka is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, treating knee and shoulder injuries with arthroscopic and other advanced surgical techniques.
Does Dr. Deneka treat athletes?
Yes. Dr. Deneka has extensive experience with athlete care and sports-related injuries, and his fellowship training is in sports medicine.
What knee and shoulder conditions does Dr. Deneka treat?
Dr. Deneka treats a range of knee and shoulder conditions, including ligament injuries, cartilage damage, and other sports-related and overuse injuries.
Does Dr. Deneka perform minimally invasive surgery?
Yes. Dr. Deneka uses arthroscopic techniques when appropriate, which can mean smaller incisions and a faster recovery for eligible patients.
Where does Dr. Deneka see patients?
Dr. Deneka sees patients at OrthoSouth's Memphis-Briarcrest, Germantown, Collierville, and Southaven locations.
Does Dr. Deneka accept new patients?
Yes, Dr. Deneka is currently accepting new patients.
CONDITIONS TREATED
Common Conditions Treated by Dr. Deneka
With dual board certification in Orthopaedic Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Dr. Deneka specializes in complex injuries and degenerative disorders of the shoulder and knee:
Knee Injuries & Conditions
- ACL & Ligament Tears: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), PCL, MCL, and multi-ligament knee injuries resulting from athletic trauma or sudden twisting.
- Meniscus Tears & Cartilage Defects: Acute tears, complex degenerative meniscus degeneration, and focal articular cartilage damage.
- Patellar Instability: Recurrent kneecap subluxation, patellar dislocations, and patellofemoral pain syndrome.
- Knee Arthritis & Joint Degeneration: Localized cartilage wear, osteoarthritis, and chronic inflammatory joint stiffness.
Shoulder Injuries & Disorders
- Rotator Cuff Tears: Full-thickness, partial, and chronic degenerative tendon tears affecting overhead mobility and strength.
- Labral Tears & Instability: SLAP tears, Bankart lesions, and anterior/posterior shoulder dislocations in throwing and collision athletes.
- Shoulder Impingement & Bursitis: Chronic subacromial friction, bone spurs, and debilitating rotator cuff tendinitis.
- Biceps Tendinopathy: Proximal biceps tendon inflammation, subluxation, and partial tearing at the glenohumeral joint.
- Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Sprains: Shoulder separations and post-traumatic AC joint arthritis.
Athletic & Overuse Trauma
- Repetitive Overhead Stress: Pitching, tennis, and swimming injuries requiring specialized throwing biomechanical assessment.
- Tendon & Muscle Strains: Quadriceps, hamstring, and patellar tendinitis (Jumper's Knee).
- Post-Injury Functional Deficits: Incomplete rehab recovery, chronic joint weakness, and difficulty resuming competitive play or work duties.
SERVICES & TREATMENTS
Services & Advanced Procedures Offered
Dr. Deneka combines minimally invasive arthroscopic surgical techniques with structured conservative rehabilitation to safely return active patients and athletes back to peak function.
Minimally Invasive Knee Arthroscopy
Utilizing micro-incisions and high-definition cameras to treat intra-articular injuries while preserving healthy surrounding tissue:
- Anatomic ACL Reconstruction: Precision autograft and allograft ligament reconstruction tailored to athlete-specific return-to-sport demands.
- Meniscus Repair & Partial Meniscectomy: Preservation-first repair techniques to preserve shock absorption and delay joint wear.
Advanced Shoulder Arthroscopy & Repair
Outpatient reconstructive procedures designed to restore rotational stability and shoulder mechanics:
- Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: High-strength suture anchor repair to reattach torn tendons to the humeral head.
- Labral Repair & Capsulorraphy: Stabilization procedures to correct recurrent dislocations and Bankart/SLAP tears.
- Subacromial Decompression: Endoscopic bone spur removal to eliminate tendon impingement and painful catching.
- Biceps Tenodesis / Tenotomy: Alleviating pain caused by proximal biceps tendon degeneration.
Non-Surgical Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation
Targeted conservative pathways that accelerate tissue healing and restore strength:
- Coordinated Rehabilitation: Direct clinical integration with the OrthoSouth Physical Therapy teams across Briarcrest, Germantown, and Southaven to coordinate customized return-to-play protocols.
- Sideline & Athletic Injury Triage: Drawing on over two decades of team physician experience to deliver injury diagnostics and safe clearance pathways.
CERTIFICATIONS
