Born and raised in Shreveport, Dr. Pearson is excited to come home to the Ark-La-Tex to begin practice at Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana. Dr. Pearson completed his medical school training at LSUHS-Shreveport; his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Alabama-Birmingham; and his hip and knee arthroplasty fellowship a Southern Joint Replacement Institute in Nashville, Tennessee. We recently asked Dr. Pearson some key questions about medicine/orthopedics, coming home and going into practice… here’s what he had to say…

OSL-Did you always have an interest in medicine? Did you know you wanted to be a doctor early in life? After medical school, what prompted you to choose an orthopedic residency? You chose a total joint- knee and hip… why?

JP-I have had an interest in medicine and orthopedics since high school. Like so many others high school sports injuries introduced me to the field and to medicine in general. I actually was introduced to several of my partners at OSL 10-20 years ago through family friends and this being such a small town.

I loved orthopedics and specifically total joint replacement because of the immediate way you can change someone’s life. There is an instant, dramatic change in a patient’s quality of life after a joint replacement. This is a life changing event for them, and I find it very satisfying to be a part of a team that can help these patients in such a big way.

OSL-You and your wife are both from Shreveport and have two small children and a baby on the way?

JP- Correct. My wife Laura and I were both born and raised in Shreveport. We have been dating since high school; we both went to C.E. Byrd High School. We dated long distance for 6 years before I proposed…she wasn’t coming back without a ring! We are blessed… we a currently have a 21/2 year old, 1 year old and baby #3 is due in mid-September.

OSL-Why did you decide to return to Shreveport?

JP-So many things come to mind. Its home. Its where family is. I have always loved Shreveport. It’s not the most happening city or the place with tons of growth, but it is home. To have friends and family around you, to help raise your family, it is a wonderful thing. I love walking into Superior Grill and seeing someone I know, bumping into someone at Franks or Brookshires. I grew up water skiing on the Red River and Lake Bisteneau. Having had the opportunity to live in other cities, you realize what is important, it’s family.

OSL-What is your patient care philosophy? What do you want your patients to walk away knowing?

JP- My philosophy is to put the patient first. Take care of them. My main objective when I meet and talk with patients is to educate them. To give them the knowledge. Total joint replacement is a huge decision, and a decision that patients are becoming more and more selective about. Patients are doing their research on doctors, on hospitals and making an informed decision. It’s my job to educate patients on their disease process, on their options and on what to expect from a surgery should they decide to have one. Once the patient has the information, the decision is theirs. It’s my job to teach… that’s what doctor means after all.

OSL-What do you consider to be the greatest evolution in orthopedics/ adult reconstruction/knee and hip in the last 5-10 years?

JP-Great question- in hip/knee reconstruction in the last 10 years it is the peri-operative care. The surgery itself hasn’t changed tons. Our implants and materials have improved some, but not drastically. The biggest change has been the way we care for the patients before and after surgery. Techniques for pain control, post-op physical therapy protocols, how we handle and improve blood loss, all these things have dramatically changed total joint arthroplasty compared to 15-20 years ago.

OSL-What are your hobbies? Do you enjoy any sports?

Before residency I would have said tailgating, duck hunting, fly fishing, tennis, cooking. Kids changes that. Now a free hour here or there is not an entire afternoon off. I try to take care of myself, so my body will let me stay active when I’m older. I jog and cycle fairly frequently. I love the mountains and will always enjoy fly fishing in the mountains with my brother. I love to cook as well. I’m an LSU football fan, but not anything close to my OSL partner, Val Irion, MD… I pale in comparison to that. He’s a real fan.

Jeffrey Pearson, MD is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in reconstructive hip and knee surgery. He is currently accepting new patients and accepts most insurance plans. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Pearson, please contact Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana at (866)759.9679 or orthopedicspecialistsla.com