Joel Wells, M.D.,MPH, FAAOS is a fellowship-trained comprehensive hip surgeon at Baylor Scott & White Hip Preservation Center - McKinney and the medical director of the Comprehensive Hip Center Program at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – McKinney.
Dr. Wells earned his medical degree at Tulane University, followed by an internship in surgery at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a residency in orthopedic surgery at Harvard Orthopedic and Massachusetts General Hospital. He then received advanced training in joint preservation, resurfacing, and reconstructive surgery through a fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis.
Among his numerous honors, in 2020 Dr. Wells received the Abilene Christian University Young Alumnus of the Year Award. He has also received various awards for his research efforts on hip dysplasia including the Harvard Orthopaedic Surgery Best Clinical Research Award: Survivorship of the Bernese Periacetabular Osteotomy (PAO): What Factors are Associated with Long-term Failure?
As a fellowship trained surgeon in comprehensive hip surgery, Joel Wells, M.D., cares for patients of all ages, from preadolescents to the elderly.
“My role as a comprehensive hip surgeon is to take care of patients at all ages and stages of life, from the youngest to the eldest,” he says. “I can take care of all aspects of hip pathology.”
Few surgeons in North Texas are capable of performing the surgeries he does routinely to treat hip dysplasia, hip impingement, and complex hip deformities.
For example, Dr. Wells is an expert at performing periacetabular osteotomy, a complex surgery for repositioning the hip joint. Although the procedure is the most common type of hip preservation surgery in young adults, it usually is done only at specialized centers.
“Because of the cutting-edge technologies and experience we have with procedures like periacetabular osteotomies and surgical hip dislocations, we’re in a unique position to help people,” Dr. Wells says, “whether we’re taking care of pediatric deformities, geriatric injuries, or anything in between.”
Dr. Wells’ background as an athlete drew him to a career in sports medicine. He played college baseball at Abilene Christian University and was actually drafted by the New York Mets in 2006. Personal experience allows him to empathize with the athletes and patients under his care.
As such, he wants people with hip pain to know there is something that can be done for it, and he has a quick recovery plan to get them moving sooner after surgery.
“Historically the only solution to hip pain may have been a total hip”, he says. “Now with hip preserving procedures, there are options with good long-term outcomes other than a total hip. Whatever your hip pain may be, I want to help. With our comprehensive hip team our goal is to get patients up and moving quicker to a faster recovery.
Prior to joining Baylor Scott & White, Dr. Wells was part of the care team for the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots, where he focused on diagnosing and treating hip and knee injuries of all varieties.