Dec. 29, 2025
Two surgeons with Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic (KOC) have performed a successful total ankle replacement at Knoxville Orthopaedic Surgery Center, the first procedure of its kind to take place at any Knoxville outpatient surgery center.
The new option is possible due to insurance changes allowing total ankle replacement patients to select a surgery center over a traditional hospital setting for their procedure. Both Knoxville Orthopaedic Surgery Center (KOSC) and University Orthopaedic Surgery Center (UOSC) will offer the option to qualifying patients starting in January 2026.
“The insurance industry has recognized that surgery centers like KOSC and UOSC are not only popular for patient convenience, but they also improve efficiency and offer cost savings, both for insurance companies and patients,” said Beth Russell, vice president of surgical services at Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic. “Payers like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and many private insurers are realizing that surgery centers often provide the best option for patients.”
KOC foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Austin Davidson said one reason insurance approval took some time is the complexity involved in the procedure. Ankle replacement is also newer than hip or knee replacement surgeries, which KOSC has been doing on an outpatient basis since 2018.
“Instead of a ball and socket or hinge joint like the hip and knee, ankle joints are smaller with more planes of motion,” Dr. Davidson said.
Dr. Davidson, along with KOC foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Adam Short, performed KOSC’s first ankle replacement surgery on Dec. 18 with good results.
The procedure includes making an incision on the front part of the ankle to allow access to the joint, removing the arthritic joint and replacing it with a metal implant cushioned with plastic to allow for motion in the joint. Patients go home the same day, and Dr. Davidson indicated most individuals are able to bear weight on their ankle within about six weeks.
KOC surgeons perform many ankle replacements each year, and they’re excited to offer KOSC and UOSC as a new option for patients.
“Over the years we’ve discovered people do better at surgery centers, especially when we consider the quality of the overall experience, from convenience and personal attention to out-of-pocket cost,” Dr. Davidson said.
Both KOSC and UOSC are orthopaedic-only outpatient surgery centers that offer highly specialized treatment.
While Dr. Davidson and Dr. Short were the first in the Knoxville area to perform this procedure at an outpatient surgery center, KOC has three other surgeons who will also offer total ankle replacements at KOSC and UOSC beginning in January. Those specialists are Dr. Mary Crowe, Dr. Christine Seaworth, and Dr. Scott Smith.
KOC has been a leader in orthopaedic care for more than 80 years. The practice includes more than 1,000 team members across 10 office locations, seven urgent care clinics and two surgery centers. The orthopaedic network offers experts in 13 subspecialties from joint replacement to trauma surgery to help patients lead healthier, more active lives.
Learn more about all of KOC’s experts and services online at KOCortho.com.
About Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic
Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic is the region’s largest provider of orthopaedic care and services with more than 520,000 patient visits annually at 12 East Tennessee locations. As a network of convenient and accessible clinics that provide exceptional orthopaedic care across the region, KOC comprises 10 office locations; two ambulatory surgery centers; and additional services including urgent care, MRI, orthotics and bracing, physical and occupational therapy and sports medicine outreach. KOC’s more than 150 orthopaedic experts, supported by over 1,000 team members, provide a superior quality of diagnostic proficiency; when needed, an unmatched level of surgical expertise; and a patient-centered approach to deliver unparalleled personalized treatment. The network recently earned a 2025 “Top Workplace” ranking from Knoxville News Sentinel based on employee surveys measuring company culture. For more information, visit kocortho.com.
