Joint Replacement Surgeon Joins KOC
Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic (KOC) has added Dr. Jacob Zalewski, a highly trained total joint replacement surgeon, to join the organization’s team of specialist providers serving patients in East Tennessee.
Dr. Zalewski is fellowship trained in adult reconstruction and specializes in hip and knee replacement. For hip procedures, he prefers a muscle-sparing direct anterior approach; for knee replacement, he utilizes kinematic alignment and resurfacing techniques designed to restore a patient’s natural anatomy.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Zalewski join our team,” said Dr. J. Jay Crawford, president of Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic. “He is a Tennessee native and a skilled surgeon who brings advanced expertise and compassion to serve East Tennessee patients and families.”
Dr. Zalewski said hip and knee replacement patients tend to be highly motivated, and he finds purpose helping them return to activities that support their health and happiness.
“I want to help people get back to activities that bring them joy,” Dr. Zalewski said. “We may not do a hip replacement because you truly can’t walk comfortably anymore. We may do it so you can enjoy hiking, pickleball or tennis again without pain. Our goal is to help patients get back to the things that add richness to their lives.”
A Cookeville native, Dr. Zalewski earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Sewanee: The University of the South, where he also played soccer and served as a student chief firefighter with the Sewanee Volunteer Fire Department. He earned a Doctor of Medicine from East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City. Dr. Zalewski did his residency at the renowned Campbell Clinic through The University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and completed a fellowship at Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic in Alexandria, Virginia. He has contributed to publications on topics including the association of hip arthroplasty femoral stem designs with post operative femur fractures and the safety of total hip and knee arthroplasty in patients with obesity.
As a former soccer captain and CrossFit coach, Dr. Zalewski says he appreciated KOC’s team approach to surgery as well as overall patient care.
“Having a patient send you a photo or video of them back on the ski slopes or tennis court after surgery is pretty rewarding,” Dr. Zalewski said. “If they’re excited enough to send you that picture, you know you’ve done exactly what they needed you for.”
Patients can schedule appointments with Dr. Zalewski now by calling 865-558-4400. He will see patients starting Sept. 1 at KOC’s Oak Ridge, Powell, University, Weisgarber and West locations.
He will operate at Knoxville Orthopaedic Surgery Center (KOSC), University Orthopaedic Surgery Center (UOSC) and North Knoxville Medical Center.
When Dr. Zalewski isn’t treating patients, he can be found spending time with his wife, Erynn, and their two golden retrievers, Winnie and Goose. He also enjoys hiking, playing golf, snowboarding and cheering on the Vols and the Nashville Predators.