Biography
Dr. Sears joined KOC in 1995 after finishing his orthopaedic training at the University of Virginia and a subspecialty fellowship year in pediatric orthopaedics at Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta. Since that time, he has enjoyed working with his partners and East Tennessee Children’s Hospital to develop a comprehensive pediatric orthopaedic service here in Knoxville.
Unlike many of the other orthopaedic subspecialties at KOC, pediatrics does not focus on one area of the body, but on the many complexities of bone and joint problems in the growing child. From congenital problems like clubfoot or spina bifida, to problems that arise later in childhood like scoliosis or growth abnormalities, to injuries that happen anywhere from the playground to the soccer field, Dr. Sears understands the unique differences involved in treating children and their parents.
Dr. Sears grew up in Texas and his wife Nancy comes from upstate New York, but they have happily called East Tennessee their home for over 20 years. Nancy worked as an anesthesiologist at East Tennessee Children's Hospital for more than a decade, and now enjoys acting in local productions.
As the father of three grown children, Dr. Sears knows what it's like to have a child in a cast and as a surgical patient at Children's Hospital. As a former collegiate swimmer and now recreational cyclist and triathlete himself, Dr. Sears also has empathy for the various strains and sprains that he treats frequently in younger athletes.
Contact Information
| Office Info | KOC: 865-558-4400 Appointments: 865-558-4444 |
|---|---|
| Office Location |
Old Weisgarber Road Fort Sanders West North Knoxville Medical Center Physicians Plaza Jefferson Memorial Hospital (Jefferson City) |
|
Administrative Assistant NURSE |
865-558-4414 or internal ext 4414 865-410-7892 or internal ext 4639 |
Dr. Sears' Educational Links
DR. SEARS' Videos
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What patients say about Dr. SEARS
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Thanks to my care at KOC, I can run, show Tennessee Walking Horses, and work with special needs adults! When I was about 10 years old, my ankle was in a great deal of pain. My mom and dad took me to my primary physician's office, where they said my ankle was just “sprained.” My ankle was huge and swollen, bright red, and hot to the touch. My ankle never got any better, so a few days later, my parents took me to a local orthopedist in Athens. That doctor decided to do x-rays, and the pain was almost unbearable. I knew at this point it was more than “just a sprain.” By this point, when my ankle was just barely touched, I yelled in pain. Once he reviewed the x-rays, the doctor told my parents to rush me to Children’s Hospital in Knoxville where Dr. Sears would meet us. Once we got there, I was admitted immediately. Dr. Sears ran several tests, and the conclusion was that I had osteomyelitis. Dr. Sears said it was very rare for a child to have this condition. He told my parents that had I arrived at the hospital much later, I would have lost my leg. Dr. Sears immediately started me on antibiotics and I was at Children’s for 12 days. I ended up going home with a PICC line for 8 weeks, where I received antibiotics throughout this time. The day after my PICC line was removed, I was just walking and fell down in the horse barn, where I then broke my ankle from it being so weak. Dr. Sears treated my broken ankle. I ended up breaking it several times due to my weak ankle bones. Today I am 29 years old, and haven’t broken it in years... and I am thankful today that Dr. Sears saved my leg!
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Thanks to Dr. Sears and my care at KOC, I can do everything I love now. The scoliosis surgery I received in 2012 was a life changer for me. The surgery helped me in so many ways. I can do everything I love now without worrying about hurting myself or pain.
Education
- B.A., Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, 1984
- M.D., University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, 1988
Internship
- General Surgery, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville, Virginia, 1990
residency
- Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville, Virginia, 1994
fellowship
- Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Scottish Rite Children's Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia, 1995
Began Practice At KOC
- 1995
Board Certification
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Professional Organizations
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America
- Tennessee Orthopaedic Society
- Tennessee Medical Association
Professional Interests
- Congenital and Developmental Deformity
- Childhood Trauma
- Cerebral Palsy
- Scoliosis
Personal Interests
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Triathlons
Orthopaedic Specialty
- Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery
