Stephen M. Waggoner, MD
Dr. Stephen M. Waggoner is a Castle Connolly Top Doctor and
board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with dual expertise in
spine surgery and joint replacement. He specializes in minimally invasive
spinal surgery, spinal disorders, total hip and knee replacement, same-day
outpatient joint replacement, and robotic-assisted knee replacement.
Dr. Waggoner was one of the first surgeons in Memphis to utilize the O-Arm imaging system for minimally invasive spinal procedures — a technology that provides intraoperative 3D imaging to improve surgical precision and reduce the risk of complications during spine surgery. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and a member of the North American Spine Society (NASS), the Tennessee Orthopaedic Association, and the Tennessee Medical Association.
For joint replacement patients, Dr. Waggoner offers same-day outpatient hip and knee replacement, allowing eligible patients to recover at home rather than in a hospital setting. He also performs robotic-assisted knee replacement, which uses computer-guided planning to improve implant precision and alignment.
Dr. Waggoner completed his fellowship in spine disorders at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta and earned his medical degree from East Tennessee State University's James H. Quillen College of Medicine. He earned his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
Dr. Waggoner sees patients at OrthoSouth's Bartlett, Germantown, and Poplar locations.
FELLOWSHIP
EDUCATION
Medical School: East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine - Johnson City, TN
Residency: Orthopaedic Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine - Atlanta, GA.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
ACCOLADES
AREAS OF FOCUS/CONDITIONS TREATED
Spine
- Back pain and lower back pain
- Neck pain and cervical spine conditions
- Herniated discs (lumbar and cervical)
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spondylolisthesis
- Sciatica and radiculopathy
- Minimally invasive spine surgery
- O-Arm guided spinal procedures
Hip & Knee
Replacement
- Hip arthritis and bone-on-bone hip pain
- Knee arthritis and bone-on-bone knee pain
- Total hip replacement
- Total knee replacement
- Same-day outpatient hip replacement
- Same-day outpatient knee replacement
- Robotic-assisted knee replacement
- Hip and knee pain not improved by injections or physical therapy
PATIENT TESTIMONIALS
PATIENT REVIEWS
FAQs
Q1: What does Dr.
Waggoner specialize in?
|
A:
Dr. Waggoner is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with
expertise in two areas: spine surgery and joint replacement. For spine
patients, he specializes in minimally invasive spinal surgery and spinal
disorders. For joint replacement patients, he performs total hip and knee
replacement, same-day outpatient joint replacement, and robotic-assisted knee
replacement. He sees patients at OrthoSouth's Bartlett, Germantown, and
Poplar locations. |
Q2: What is minimally
invasive spine surgery?
|
A:
Minimally invasive spine surgery uses smaller incisions, specialized
instruments, and advanced imaging — including the O-Arm system — to treat
spinal conditions with less disruption to surrounding muscles and tissue than
traditional open surgery. Benefits for appropriate patients can include less
post-operative pain, a shorter hospital stay, and faster return to normal
activity. Dr. Waggoner was one of the first surgeons in Memphis to use the
O-Arm for minimally invasive spinal procedures. |
Q3: What is the O-Arm and
how does Dr. Waggoner use it?
|
A:
The O-Arm is an intraoperative imaging system that provides real-time 3D
imaging during spine surgery, allowing Dr. Waggoner to verify instrument and
implant placement with greater precision than traditional fluoroscopy. It is
particularly valuable in minimally invasive procedures where direct
visualization is limited. Dr. Waggoner was among the first surgeons in
Memphis to incorporate the O-Arm into his practice. |
Q4: What is same-day
outpatient joint replacement?
|
A:
Same-day outpatient joint replacement means the patient goes home the same
day as hip or knee replacement surgery — no overnight hospital stay required.
Eligibility depends on overall health, home support, and procedure
complexity. For appropriate patients, same-day discharge allows recovery in a
familiar environment and can reduce the risk of hospital-acquired
complications. Dr. Waggoner evaluates candidacy during the consultation. |
Q5: Does Dr. Waggoner
perform robotic-assisted knee replacement?
|
A:
Yes. Dr. Waggoner performs robotic-assisted knee replacement, which uses a
computer-guided system to create a 3D model of the patient's knee anatomy
before surgery. This allows for more precise planning and implant positioning
compared to traditional manual techniques. Improved precision can contribute
to better alignment and a more natural-feeling knee. Dr. Waggoner determines
candidacy during the evaluation. |
Q6: How do I know if I
need spine surgery?
|
A:
Most spine conditions are first treated with conservative measures — physical
therapy, activity modification, medications, and injections. Surgery is
typically considered when these approaches have not provided adequate relief
and imaging confirms a structural problem that surgery can address. Dr.
Waggoner performs a full evaluation including imaging before making any
surgical recommendation. |
Q7: Where does Dr.
Waggoner see patients?
|
A:
Dr. Waggoner sees patients at three OrthoSouth locations: Bartlett,
Germantown, and Memphis - Poplar. To schedule an appointment, call
901.641.3000 or visit orthosouth.org. |
CERTIFICATIONS
