Dr. Milam’s path to orthopedics began with athletics. He grew up playing multiple sports, and despite initially planning for a career in engineering, his love of sports combined with a newfound interest in chemistry and biology eventually led him to volunteer at a local hospital, where he worked in the OR. This experience was just the beginning of a journey that would take him through extensive medical training in Florida, Missouri, and Michigan before eventually accepting his current position at the Whole Health Joint Replacement Institute.
As a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Milam specializes in minimally invasive shoulder surgery and other arthroscopic procedures. Minimally invasive surgery is especially valuable to athletes as it often allows for earlier and faster rehabilitation, as well as a quicker return to sports. Practicing since 2007, Dr. Milam spent plenty of nights on the sidelines working with active athletes; these days, he tends to care specifically for aging athletes, or as he affectionately refers to them, “the weekend warriors.”
Whole Health has a very specific philosophy when it comes to full patient care, and that’s part of what attracted Dr. Milam to the group. A large component of sports medicine is developing a plan that is individualized to each patient for their specific injury and activity. This personalized approach is a core component of Whole Health’s philosophy, which seeks to treat the “whole” patient. Dr. Milam’s approach to patient care, include these aspects of treatment and recovery, are what sets him and Whole Health apart from many other orthopedic practices.
Dr. Milam’s focus on achieving the best possible results for his patients is also exemplified in his past academic performance and commitment to continuing education. His academic accomplishments include scoring in the top 10 in the nation on both his initial Board Certification exam as well as his 10-year recertification exam (where he achieved the 2nd highest score in the country). This accomplishment has led to Dr. Milam serving as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the medical school at Virginia Tech (Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine), where he taught and trained medical students in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Milam also continues to serve as a Board Examiner for the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery as part of the final step in the Board Certification process.
When Dr. Milam is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys. Most of their free time is spent outdoors, playing baseball in the summer and skiing in the winter. His next goal is to have his boys train with him for a Spartan Race someday soon.
About Arthroscopic Surgery for Shoulders & Knees
With 14 years of sports medicine and arthroscopic experience under his belt, Dr. Milam serves to broaden Whole Health’s scope of practice as a leader in minimally invasive surgical procedures of the knee and shoulder. Arthroscopic procedures are most commonly performed on shoulders and knees. There are many benefits of minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery, including maximizing the function and preserving the lifespan of the joint for as long as possible. Additional benefits include less pain and stiffness, minimal scarring and blood loss, as well as being a same-day procedure. These benefits make it perfect for athletes looking to get back on the field, or those simply looking to get back to work, hobbies, or life in general.
Some of the arthroscopic surgeries performed by Dr. Milam at Whole Health include:
- Rotator Cuff Repair
- Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
- Meniscus Tear (Knee)
- Shoulder Labrum & Slap Lesion Repair
Learn more about whether an arthroscopic procedure is the best option for you by visiting our Sports Medicine & General Orthopedics page today.
