MCDONOUGH, Ga., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Piedmont Orthopedics | OrthoAtlanta is pleased to welcome J. Hunter Matthews, M.D., a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstruction and total joint replacement, to its Henry County team. Dr. Matthews sees patients at the practice's McDonough location and is also seeing patients at the newly opened Piedmont Orthopedics | OrthoAtlanta location in Locust Grove.
Piedmont Orthopedics | OrthoAtlanta Welcomes J. Hunter Matthews, M.D., to Henry County, Expanding Orthopedic Care to Locust Grove
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total joint replacement#orthoatlantaPiedmont OrthopedicsJ Hunter Matthewsadult reconstruction
Dr. Matthews specializes in comprehensive treatment of hip and knee conditions, including degenerative joint disease, post-traumatic arthritis, avascular necrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, prosthetic joint complications and complex joint replacement. His clinical expertise includes robotic-assisted knee replacement, muscle-sparing direct anterior hip replacement, partial knee replacement, complex and revision joint replacement, and outpatient total hip and knee replacement.
Dr. Matthews earned his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He went on to complete an Adult Reconstruction Fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine, where he received advanced training in complex hip and knee replacement surgery.
His approach to care is centered on building meaningful relationships with patients, listening carefully to their concerns and developing individualized treatment plans based on their needs, goals and lifestyles. He is committed to combining evidence-based medicine with the latest advances in joint replacement to help patients relieve pain, restore mobility and return to the activities they enjoy.
"Dr. Matthews brings specialized training in adult reconstruction and a strong commitment to patient-centered care," said Michael Ochal, Chief Executive Officer of Piedmont Orthopedics | OrthoAtlanta. "We are excited to welcome him to our McDonough team and to have him be part of our expanded presence in Locust Grove. His expertise in hip and knee replacement will be a valuable resource for patients throughout Henry County."
The addition of Dr. Matthews comes as Piedmont Orthopedics | OrthoAtlanta expands its presence in Henry County. The newly opened Locust Grove location provides patients in Locust Grove and surrounding communities with greater access to specialized orthopedic care closer to home.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Matthews has been involved in orthopedic research and has published research examining topics including joint replacement, surgical approaches to hip replacement and emerging technologies in orthopaedics. He is a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Georgia Orthopaedic Society and Georgia Medical Association.
Dr. Matthews is affiliated with Piedmont Henry Hospital.
For more information about Dr. Matthews or to schedule an appointment, please visit www.OrthoAtlanta.com or contact the McDonough office at 678-214-6111 or the Locust Grove office at 770-415-2510.
About Piedmont Orthopedics | OrthoAtlanta
OrthoAtlanta is one of the largest physician-owned orthopedic and sports medicine practices in the Southeast providing an integrated approach to delivering musculoskeletal care. With more than 80 physicians serving in 28 offices, the practice provides the highest level of patient care for injuries or deformity of muscles, joints, bones, and spine. OrthoAtlanta offers convenient accessibility to a full range of musculoskeletal surgeons, specialists and patient services including on-site physical therapy, pain management care, five MRI imaging centers and workers' compensation coordination. OrthoAtlanta Surgery Centers in Austell and Fayetteville provide cost-effective, same day surgical procedures in an accredited outpatient center. Comprehensive operative and nonoperative musculoskeletal care and expertise includes sports medicine, arthroscopic surgery, hip replacement, knee replacement, neck and spine surgery, elbow and shoulder surgery, hand and wrist surgery, foot and ankle surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, arthritis treatment, general orthopedics, work-related and acute orthopedic injuries.
SOURCE Piedmont Orthopedics | OrthoAtlanta
Author
TH
TJ Halvorson
The De Angelis Group | Orthopedics This Week | MSK Innovations
Why This Matters
Two Perspectives
MBA Lens: Economic and industry impact
Piedmont Orthopedics | OrthoAtlanta strategically expands its market presence in Henry County by opening a new Locust Grove location and integrating Dr. J. Hunter Matthews. This move enhances access to specialized adult reconstruction and total joint replacement services, including advanced robotic-assisted and muscle-sparing techniques. The expansion strengthens OrthoAtlanta's competitive position by offering comprehensive, patient-centered care closer to home, supporting regional growth and service line depth.
- The addition of Dr. Matthews and a new Locust Grove office signifies a targeted market expansion to capture a larger share of orthopedic care in Henry County.
- Focus on advanced joint replacement techniques and outpatient options aligns with evolving reimbursement models and patient preferences for efficient, high-quality care.
PhD Lens: Clinical and outcomes impact
Dr. J. Hunter Matthews, a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, specializes in adult reconstruction and total joint replacement, addressing complex hip and knee conditions. His clinical expertise encompasses robotic-assisted knee replacement, muscle-sparing direct anterior hip replacement, and complex revision joint replacement. Dr. Matthews' approach integrates evidence-based medicine with advanced techniques to improve patient outcomes, restore mobility, and alleviate pain from various degenerative and post-traumatic conditions.
- Dr. Matthews' training includes an Adult Reconstruction Fellowship at Emory University, focusing on complex hip and knee replacement surgery.
- His research involvement includes topics such as joint replacement, surgical approaches, and emerging orthopedic technologies, supporting an evidence-based practice.
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Discussion
This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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