Skip to content

Our Physicians

Johnny T. Nelson, M.D.

Dr. Johnny T. Nelson is a Raleigh native and a second-generation orthopaedic surgeon. He graduated magna cum laude and phi beta kappa from the University of Dallas, where he played starting flanker for the university’s rugby football club. He earned his medical degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he graduated at the top of his class and was inducted into the AOA medical honors society.

Between medical school and residency, Dr. Nelson devoted a year to research at the Laboratory for Regenerative Technologies in Orthopaedic Surgery at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, which resulted in numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals. After completing orthopaedic surgery residency at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, Dr. Nelson was selected for a fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. There he was trained by some of the nation’s top experts in hand and upper extremity surgery. He then completed his training at the internationally-renowned Shoulder Unit of the Centre Orthopédique Santy in Lyon, France, with a focus on advanced shoulder arthroscopy, open and arthroscopic treatment of shoulder instability, and shoulder replacement.

Dr. Nelson enjoys meeting each and every patient and making recommendations based on their current needs in life and their hopes for the future. His interests include both open and endoscopic nerve decompression, tendon and ligament repair, management of hand and arm injuries and fractures, shoulder replacements, and arthroscopic treatment of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist including severe rotator cuff injuries, shoulder instability, and wrist pain.

Dr. Nelson lives in Raleigh with his wife and three children. He enjoys exercise, reading, classical piano, and woodworking.

Undergraduate School

  • University of Dallas

Medical School

  • University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Research Fellowship

  • Laboratory for Regenerative Technologies in Orthopaedic Surgery, Northwestern University

Internship & Residency

  • Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
  • William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI

Followship

  • University of Pittsburgh
  • Centre Orthopédique Santy, Lyon, France

Professional Organizations

  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  • American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons

Schedule Your Appointment Today!

At The Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic, we’re proud to provide the highest quality orthopaedic & spinal care and diagnostic services to patients from Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Garner, Apex, Morrisville, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina and the surrounding areas. Schedule an appointment today!