Dr. Ryan Nunley | Hip and Knee Surgeon | Washington University Orthopedics

Dr. Nunley received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, and his medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He completed his residency at the Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Nunley completed a Health Policy Fellowship from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in Washington, DC as well as a fellowship in Joint Preservation, Resurfacing and Replacement at Washington University School of Medicine. He is the writer and supervising editor for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons AAOS Now publication column titled “Ahead of the Curve”.

Common Diagnoses Treated

All degenerative conditions of the hip and knee
Avascular Necrosis
Failed hip and knee replacements
Hip dysplasia
Perthes deformities
Pre-arthritic and early arthritic hip disorders

Common Procedures

Free Vascularized Fibular Transfer for Hip Avascular Necrosis
Hip Debridement
Hip Osteoplasty
Hip Osteotomies
Primary and Revision Total Hip Replacement
Primary and Revision Total Knee Replacement
Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement
Total Hip Resurfacing

Clinical Office Locations

Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital

Medical Office Building 4
1044 North Mason Road, Suite 110
Creve Coeur, MO 63141

Hospital Affiliations

Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Shriners Hospital for Children
St. Louis Children's Hospital
Veteran Affairs Medical Center (John Cochran)

Academic Office Mailing Address

Washington University School of Medicine

Campus Box 8233

660 Euclid Avenue

Saint Louis, MO 63110

Patient Education

Hip & Knee patient education

Dr. Nunley’s Videos

Meet Dr. Nunley’s Patients

Patient Forms

Click here for patient forms.

Peer-Reviewed Manuscripts

Berend M, Nunley RM, Barrack RL, Berend KR, Lombardi AV, DellaValle CJ, Residual Symptoms and Function Following Unicompartmental and Total Knee Arthroplasty: Comparable to Normative Controls? J Arthroplasty. 2016 Oct;31(10):2161-6
Nam D, Nunley RM, Berend M; Berend KR, Lombardi AV, Barrack RL, Residual Symptoms and Function in Young, Active Hip Arthroplasty Patients: Comparable to Normative Controls? J Arthroplasty. 2016 Jul;31(7):1492-7.
Nam D, Barrack T, Nunley RM, Barrack RL, What is the Frequency of Noise Generation in Modern Knee Arthroplasty and Is It Associated with Residual Symptoms? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2016 Jan 13.
Nam D, Barrack T, Johnson SR, Nunley RM, Barrack RLHard-on-Hard Bearings Are Associated With Increased Noise Generation in Young Patients Undergoing Hip Arthroplasty.Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2016 Oct;474(10):2115-22.
Nunley RM, Nam D, Berend KR, Lombardi AV, Dennis DA, Della Valle CJ, Barrack RL. New total knee arthroplasty designs: do young patients notice? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2015 Jan;473(1):101-8.
Sassoon A, Nam D, Nunley RM, Barrack RL. Systematic review of patient-specific instrumentation in total knee arthroplasty: new but not improved. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2015 Jan;473(1):151-8. doi: 10.1007/s11999-014-3804-6.
Barrack RL, Ruh EL, Chen J, Lombardi AV Jr, Berend KR, Parvizi J, Della Valle CJ, Hamilton WG, Nunley RM. Impact of socioeconomic factors on outcome of total knee arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2014 Jan;472(1):86-97.
Keeney JA, Nunley RM, Wright RW, Barrack RL, Clohisy JC. Are younger patients undergoing TKAs appropriately characterized as active? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2014 Apr;472(4):1210-6.
Barrack RL, Ruh EL, Berend ME, Della Valle CJ, Engh CA Jr, Parvizi J, Clohisy JC, Nunley RM. >a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23508842">Do young, active patients perceive advantages after surface replacement compared to cementless total hip arthroplasty? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2013 Dec;471(12):3803-13.
Bedigrew Km, Ruh EL, Zhang Q, Clohisy JC, Barrack RL, Nunley RM, When to Release Patients to High Impact Activities Following Hip Resurfacing. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2012 Jan: 470(1):299-306
Nunley RM, Ellison BS, Zhu J, Ruh EL, Howell SM, Barrack RL, Do Patient-specific Guides Improve Coronal Alignment in Total Knee Arthroplasty? Clin Orthop Relat Res 2012 470:895-902
Nunley RM, Ellison BS, Ruh EL, Williams B, Foreman K, Ford AD, Barrack RL, Are Patient-specific Cutting Blocks Cost-effective for Total Knee Arthoroplasty? Clin Orthop Relat Res 2012 470:889-894
Do EJ, Lenzini P, Eby CS, Bass AR, McMillin GA, Stevens SM, Woller SC, Pendleton RC, Anderson JL, Proctor P, Nunley RM, Davila-Roman V, Gage BF, Genetics InFormatics Trial (GIFT) of Warfarin to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Rationale and Study Design. The Pharmacogenomics Journal (Accepted, E pub 2011 May 24)
Nunley RM, Prather H, Hunt D, Schoenecker PL, Clohisy JC, Clinical Presentation of Symptomatic Acetabular Dysplasiz in Skeletally Mature Patients. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2011:93 Suppl. 2:17-21
Nunley RM, Ruh E, Zhang Q, Della Valle C, Engh CA Jr., Berend M, Parvizi J, Clohisy JC, Barrack RL, Do Patients Return to Work Following Hip Arthroplasty Surgery. J Arthroplasty 2011:26(6) Suppl. 1:92-98
Nunley RM, Zhu J, Clohisy JC, Barrack RL, Aspirin Decreases Heterotopic Ossification After Hip Resurfacing. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2011 Jun: 469(6): 1614-20
Nunley RM, Keeney J, Zhu J, Clohisy JC, Barrack RL, The Reliability and Variation of Acetabular Component Anteversion Measurements from Cross-table Lateral Radiographs. J Arthroplasty 2011:26(6) Suppl. 1:84-87
Nepple JJ, Carlisle JC, Nunley RM, Clohisy JC, Clinical and Radiographic Predictors of Intra-articular Disease in Hip Arthroscopy. Am J Sports Med 2011: 39(2): 296-303.
Mall NA, Nunley RM, Zhu J, Maloney WJ, Barrack RL, Clohisy JC, The Incidence of Acetabular Osteolysis in Young Patients with Conventional versus Highly Crosslinked Polyethylent. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2011: 469: 372-381.
Mall NA, Nunley RM, Zhu J, Smith KE, Maloney WJ, Clohisy JC, Barrack RL, The Fate of Grafting Acetabular Defects During Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2010: 468(12): 3286-94.
Nunley RM, Wilson JP, Gilula LA, Clohisy JC, Barrack RL, Iliopsoas Bursa Injections can be Beneficial for Pain after Total Hip Arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2010: 468: 519-526.
Nunley RM, Zhu J, Brooks PJ, Engh CA, Raterson SJ, Rogerson JS, Barrack RL, The Learning Curve for Adopting Hip Resurfacing Among Hip Specialists. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2010: 468: 382-391.
Pekmezci M, Nunley RM, Barrack RL, Technique for Total Hip Arthroplasty in a Patient with Through Knee Amputation - Case Report. J Arthroplasty 2010: 25(4): 659.el-3
Ranawat AS, Nunley RM, Bozic KJ, Executive Summary: Value-Based Purchasing and Technology Assessment in Orthopaedics. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2009:467: 2556-2560.
Wilson N, Nunley RM, Ranawat A, Bozic K, Executive Summary: Aligning Stakeholder Incentives in Orthopedics. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2009: 467: 2521-2524.
Clohisy JC, St. John LC, Nunley RM, Schutz AL, Schoenecker PL, Combined Periacetabular and Femoral Osteotomies for Severe Hip Deformities. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2009: 467(9): 2221-7.
Clohisy JC, Nunley RM, Carlisle JC, Schoenecker PL,Incidence and Characteristics of Femoral Deformities in the Dysplastic Hip. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2009: 467: 128-134
Nunley RM, Della Valle CJ, Barrack RL, Is Patient Selection Important for Hip Resurfacing? Clin Orthop Relat Res 2009: 467: 56-65
Della Valle CJ, Nunley RM, Raterman SJ, Barrack RL, Initial American Experience with Hip Resurfacing Following FDA Approval. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2009: 467(1): 72-78. Erratum. 2009 467(2): 587
Della Valle CJ, Nunley RM, Barrack RL, When is the right time to resurface? Orthopedics. Dec 2008:31 (12 Supp 2)
Cheh G, Lenke LG, Lehman Jr. RA, Kim YJ, Nunley RM, Bridwell KH, The Reliability of Preoperative Supine Radiographs to Predict the Amount of Curve Flexibility in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Spine 2007: 32: 2668-2672.
Clohisy JC, Nunley RM, Curry MC, Schoenecker PL, Periacetabular Osteotomy for the Treatment of Acetabular Dysplasia Associated with Major Aspherical Femoral Head Deformities. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2007: 89: 1417-1423.
Clohisy JC, Nunley RM, Otto RJ, Schoenecker PL, The Frog-leg Lateral Radiograph Accurately Visualized Hip Cam Impingement Abnormalities. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research 2007: 462: 115-121.
Dobbs MB, Purcell DB, Nunley R, Morcuende JA, Early Results of a New Method of Treatment for Idiopathic Congenital Vertical Talus: Surgical Technique. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2007: 89: Suppl 2 Pt 1: 111-121.
Sharan DA, Genuario J, Mehta S, Ranawat A, Nunley RM, Weinstein SL, Current issues in health policy: a primer for the orthopaedic surgeon. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2007: 15: 76-86.
Nunley RM, Boyer MI, Goldfarb CA, Pyrolytic Carbon Arthroplasty for Posttraumatic Arthritis of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint. J Hand Surg 2006: 31A: 1468-1474.
Dobbs MB, Purcell DB, Nunley R, Morcuende JA, Early Results of a New Method of Treatment for Idiopathic Congenital Vertical Talus. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2006: 88: 1192-1200.
Dobbs MB, Nunley RM, Schoenecker PL, Long-Term Follow-up of Patients with Clubfeet Treated with Extensive Soft-Tissue Release. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2006: 88: 986-996
Nunley RM, Wright DW, Renner JB, Yu B, Garrett WE, Gender Comparison of Patellar Tendon Tibial Shaft Angle with Weight Bearing. Research in Sports Medicine 2003: 11: 173-185.
Nunley RM, Lachiewicz PF, Mortality After Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty in a Medium-Volume University Practice. The Journal of Arthroplasty 2003: 18: 278-285.
Kaszynski P, Douglass AG, Nunley RM, Brady E, Photophysical Properties of Arylated Boron Clusters. Papers of the American Chemical Society 1997: 213(2).
Kaszynski P, Janousek Z, Douglass AJ, Bairamov KA, Nunley RM, Liquid Crystals Containing Boron Clusters. Papers of the American Chemical Society 1997: 213(2).

Invited Publications

Nunley RM, Sharan AD, Genuario J, Mehta S, Ranawat A, There is power in numbers - as well as in knowledge. AAOS Now 2007: 1(1): 55.
Covey A, Nunley RM, Mehta S, Kusuma SK, Sharan AD, Genuario J, Musculoskeletal education in medical shcools: Are we making the cut? AAOS Now 2007:1(2): 44-46.
Mehta, S, Nunley RM, Jahangir AA, Sharan AD, nanotechnology: From nano to micro to macro. AAOS Now 2007: 1(3): 3-5.
Genuario J, Mehta S, Nunley RM, Discrepancy in healthcare utilization: Is more better in orthopaedic surgery? AAOS Now 2007: 1(4): 39.
Nunley RM, Sharan AD, Mehta S, Genuario J, Radiology utilization presents referral, payment challenges. AAOS Now 2007: 1(5): 7.
Sharan AD, Genuario JW, Mehta S, Nunley RM, Stem cells in orthopaedic surgery. AAOS Now 2007: 1(6).
Ranawat A, Nunley RM, Genuario JW, Sharan AD, Mehta S, Current state of the fellowship hiring process: Are we in 1957 or 2007? AAOS Now 2007: 1(8).
Nunley RM, Habit-forming: Access to physician prescribing patterns. AAOS Now 2007: 1(9).
Kusuma SK, Nunley RM, Mehta S, Genuario JW, Kennedy J, DTCA: Improving patient education or simply increasing pharmaceutical profits? AAOS Now 2007: 1(10).
Jahangir AA, Nunley RM, Mehta S, Sharan AD, Bone-graft substitutes in orthopaedic surgery. AAOS Now 2008: 2(1).
Sharan AD, Mehta S, Nunley RM, Issues facing America: The uninsured. AAOS Now 2008: 2(2).
Nunley RM, Issues facing America: Underinsured patients. AAOS Now 2008: 2(3).
Kusuma S, Nunley RM, Covey A, Genuario J, Mehta S, Ahead of the Curve: Issues facing America: Consumer-directed health care. AAOS Now 2008: 2(4).
Mehta S, Nunley RM, Issues facing America: Medicaid. AAOS Now 2008: 2(6).
Covey A, Mehta S, Nunley RM, Issues facing America: SCHIP. AAOS Now 2008: 2(7).
Ranawat A, Nunley RM, Issues facing America: Medicare. AAOS Now 2008: 2(8).
Jahangir AA, Nunley RM, Barack Obama: Plan for a healthy America. AAOS Now 2008: 2(10).
Flint JH, Nunley RM, John McCain: The straight-talking healthcare express. AAOS Now 2008: 2(10)
Jahangir AA, Sethi MK, Thomas A, Sharon AD, Nunley RM. Redefining Health Care in America. AAOS Now 2010: 4(5).
Sharon AD, Nunley RM. Where are the Savings in Health Care Reform? AAOS Now 2010: 4(6).
Flint JH, Sharan AD, Nunley RM, IPOD, IPAD...IPAB? AAOS Now 2010:4(7).
Nunley RM, Sharan AD, Mehta S. Medical Loss ratios...has the bar been set? AAOS Now 2010: 4(9).
Hettrich CM, Mather RC, Sethi MK, Nunley RM, Jahangir AA. The cost of defensive medicine. AAOS Now 2010: 4(12).
Mather RC, Hettrich C, Nunley RM. Penalties coming under PPACA, PQRI. AAOS Now 2011: 5(1).

Research Interests

Minimal incision joint replacement, image-guided surgery, avascular necrosis, joint replacement outcomes in patients under age 65 years old, and joint preserving treatments for hip dysplasia using osteotomies and hip arthroscopy.

Clinical Interests

Total hip and knee replacement surgery, minimally invasive hip replacement, femoral-acetabular impingement, hip disorders of the adolescent and young adult including hip dysplasia, Perthes deformities, avascular necrosis, and early arthritic hip joint problems.

Background

Medical Degree

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Residency

Orthopaedic Surgery, Barnes-Jewish Hospital / Washington University School of Medicine

Fellowship

Joint Preservation, Resurfacing, and Replacement Fellowship, Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University School of Medicine
Health Policy Fellowship, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Traveling Fellowship, Hip Society/British Hip Society United Kingdom

Honors and Awards:

2015 - The Mark Coventry, MD Award, Manuscript co-author: Custom Cutting Guides Do Not Improve Total Knee Arthroplasty Clinical Outcomes at 2 Years Follow-up
2015 - American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Poster Award Winner at 2015 Annual Meeting: Increased Patient Satisfaction with Mobile Compression Pumps for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis
2013 - Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation/Current Concepts in Joint Replacement Clinical Practice Award, Manuscript: Readmission Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: Venous Thromboembolism as a “Never Event” is a Counterproductive Misnomer
2013 - Washington University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence in Education Award
2013 - Southern Orthopaedic Association (SOA) Poster Award Winner at 2013 Annual Meeting: High Level of Residual Symptoms in Young Patients with Total Knee Arthroplasty
2012 - Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation/Current Concepts in Joint Replacement Clinical Practice Award, Manuscript: Pain and Dissatisfaction Following TKA Performed for Early Stage Osteoarthritis
2012 - Hip Society British Traveling Fellowship
2012 - Washington University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence in Education Award
2011 - Harley and Betty Baxter Resident Research Award, mentor and co-author for paper, "Mid Term Survival of head and Liner Exchange Revision for Well-Fixed Acetabular Components: the Effect of Cup Position and Polyethylene Type"
2011 - OREF/Current Concepts in Joint Replacement Award, "Return to Sexual Function Following Hip Arthroplasty Surgery"
2011 - Marshall R. Urist Young Investigator Award, The Association of Bone and Join Surgeons, "When to Release Patients to High Impact Activities Following Hip Resurfacing"
2010 - AAHKS Poster Award winner for 2010, "When to Release Patients to High Impact Activities Following Hip Resurfacing"
2010 - Recipient of the Eighth Annual James A. Rand Award for the most outstanding paper in arthroplasty surgery. Abstract entitled "Do Patients Return to Work Following Hip Arthroplasty Surgery."
2010 - Jerome Gilden Distinguished Physician Award (selected by residents)
2009 - Washington University Orthopedic Residency 4.8 Teaching Award
2007 - Mid-America Orthopaedic Association Resident Education Grant Recipient ($2500)
2007 - Washington University Orthopedics Resident Research Award
2007 - Washington University Orthopedics Resident Teacher Award
2006 - American Orthopaedic Association OREF-Zimmer Young Leader Award
2006 - Orthopaedic Research and Education Fund Journal Club Award ($3000)
2006 - Present - American Orthopaedic Association Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)
2005 - Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Medical Honor Society Induction
2000-2002 - Honors for the Clinical Years, University of North Carolina School of Medicine
2001 - John B. Graham Research Society Induction, University of North Carolina School of Medicine
2000 - Southern Medical Association Student Research Grant ($2500)
2000 - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Injury Prevention Research Grant ($2500)
1999 - National Institutes of Health Summer Research Fellowship Grant ($3000)
1997-1998 - Young Alumni Class Officer, Vanderbilt University
1994-1998 - Arts and Science Dean's Honor List, Vanderbilt University

WashU Medicine Orthopedics

Ryan Nunley, MD