Meet Dr. Timothy Wilson
Orthopaedic Surgeon · Sports Medicine Subspecialty · Aptiva Health Lexington
Timothy Wilson, MD is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with subspecialty certification in sports medicine, practicing at Aptiva Health since 2019. He earned his medical degree from the University of Louisville, completed his orthopaedic residency at the University of Alabama Hospitals, and finished his sports medicine fellowship at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Wilson has spent more than 20 years caring for athletes and active patients across Kentucky — including past appointments as team physician for the University of Kentucky Athletics, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Georgetown College, and Scott County High School.
Quick Facts:
Specialty: Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgery
Title: Sports Orthopedic Surgeon, Aptiva Health
Fellowship: University of Kentucky — Lexington, KY
Residency: University of Alabama Hospitals — Birmingham, AL (Administrative Chief Resident, 2001–2002)
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine — Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society
Locations: Lexington, Kentucky
Accepting New Patients: Yes
About Dr. Wilson
Dr. Wilson is a Kentucky-trained sports medicine orthopedic surgeon whose practice has been built in and around Lexington for more than two decades. After earning his medical degree at the University of Louisville School of Medicine — where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honor society — he completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Alabama Hospitals in Birmingham, serving as Administrative Chief Resident in his final year. He returned to Kentucky for his sports medicine fellowship at the University of Kentucky in Lexington in 2002, and has practiced in Central Kentucky ever since.
The University of Kentucky sports medicine fellowship is the program that trains the orthopedic surgeons who care for the UK Wildcats — one of the most-watched athletic programs in the country. During and after his fellowship, Dr. Wilson served as team physician for the University of Kentucky Athletics, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, the Lexington Men-O-War (ECHL hockey), and the Lexington Horsemen (arena football). He later became team physician for Georgetown College, Scott County High School, and Lexington Christian Academy, and continues to serve as Medical Director of the Georgetown College Athletic Training Program — a role he has held since 2004.
Before joining Aptiva Health in 2019, Dr. Wilson built two of the leading orthopedic practices in Central Kentucky: he founded Central Kentucky Orthopaedics in Georgetown in 2005 and served as its President for eleven years, then joined Bluegrass Orthopaedics in Lexington as Vice President from 2016 to 2018. Today his Aptiva practice spans the full range of sports orthopedic care — ACL reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, meniscus surgery, shoulder stabilization, and cartilage restoration — for athletes of all ages and active patients who want to get back to the sports and activities they love.
His academic record runs alongside his clinical work. He held faculty appointments as Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center, served fourteen years as Clinical Instructor in Orthopaedic Surgery at Shriners Hospital for Children in Lexington, and has authored peer-reviewed publications in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, Orthopaedics, and the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, with a particular focus on ACL surgery, knee dislocations, and rotator cuff repair. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and an invited reviewer for the American Journal of Sports Medicine and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research.
Conditions Treated & Specialized Procedures
Surgeries performed:
ACL reconstruction (multiple graft options)
Arthroscopic surgery of the knee and shoulder (minimally invasive)
Conditions treated:
Tendinitis and overuse injuries
Sports-related fractures
Sports Medicine for Real Athletes
Sports medicine isn't just elite athletics. Most of Dr. Wilson's patients are weekend warriors, high school athletes, masters competitors, parents who want to get back to running or pickleball, and Kentucky residents who tore an ACL on a hike or a rotator cuff in their first softball season in twenty years. The principles that guide care for a Division I football player are the same principles that get a 45-year-old back to playing tennis with their kids — diagnosis-driven, escalation-stepwise, return-to-sport-specific.
The first visit usually involves a full history of the injury and the patient's sport, a physical exam, and review or ordering of imaging. From there, treatment matches the injury — most sports orthopedic injuries respond to a combination of physical therapy, activity modification, and time, and a smaller percentage need surgical repair. Dr. Wilson won't recommend surgery a patient doesn't need, and he won't recommend conservative care for an injury that needs surgery. The goal is the right answer for the patient and the sport they want to return to.
Pickleball, Tennis, and Racquet Sport Injuries
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, and it has hit Central Kentucky as hard as anywhere — Lexington has built out dedicated pickleball courts at parks, tennis clubs, and senior centers across the city. With it has come a rising tide of pickleball injuries — rotator cuff strains, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), Achilles tendon ruptures, calf strains, and ankle sprains — that Dr. Wilson now sees in clinic regularly. Most pickleball injuries respond to conservative care; a smaller percentage involve a true tear or rupture that needs surgical attention.
Dr. Wilson treats pickleball, tennis, racquetball, and squash injuries across the full spectrum, from the first-time player who pulled a calf to the competitive player with a recurrent rotator cuff problem. He also evaluates patients pre-emptively for injury prevention strategies — improving racquet mechanics, conditioning, and warm-up to avoid common injuries before they happen.
Team Physician Experience
Dr. Wilson has served as Team Physician or Medical Director for:
University of Kentucky Athletics — Lexington (2002–2005)
Kentucky State University — Frankfort (2002–2005)
Morehead State University (2003–2004)
Georgetown College — Team Physician (2004–2016) and Medical Director, Athletic Training Program (2004–present)
Scott County High School — Georgetown (2005–2016)
Lexington Christian Academy (2015–2016)
Lexington Horsemen Arena Football (NIFL, 2003–2005)
Lexington Men-O-War Hockey (ECHL, 2002–2003)
Homewood Patriots Football (Alabama 5A High School, 2000–2001)
Selected Publications
Dr. Wilson's peer-reviewed work has appeared in leading sports medicine and orthopedic journals:
Wilson TC, Kanteras A, Atay A, Johnson DL. Tunnel enlargement after anterior cruciate ligament surgery. American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2004; 32: 543–549.
Wilson TC, Rosenblum WJ, Johnson DL. Fracture of the femoral tunnel after an ACL reconstruction. Arthroscopy. 2004; 20(5): E9.
Glueck D, Wilson TC, Johnson DL. Extensive osteolysis following rotator cuff repair with bioabsorbable suture anchor. American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2005; 33(5): 742–744.
Stannard JP, Wilson TC, Volgas DA, Alonso JE. Heterotopic ossification associated with knee dislocations. Arthroscopy. 2002; 18: 835–839.
Wilson TC, Satterfield WH, Johnson DL. Medial collateral ligament "tibial" injuries: indication for acute repair. Orthopaedics. 2004; 27(4): 389–393.
Wilson TC, Johnson DL. Articular-cartilage lesions of the knee and osteoarthritis in athletes: an overview. Athletic Therapy Today. 2003; 8(1): 20–24.
Wilson TC, Johnson DL. The initial evaluation of the multiple-ligament injured knee. Operative Techniques in Sports Medicine. 2003; 11(3): 187–192.
Stannard JP, Wilson TC, Volgas DA, Alonso JE. The Less Invasive Stabilization System (LISS) in the treatment of complex fractures of the tibial plateau: short-term results. Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 2004; 18(8): 584.
Wilson TC. Duplication of the clavicle. Orthopaedics. 2006; 29(1): 79–80.
Certifications & Memberships
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (Board Certified, 2005)
Certificate of Added Qualification in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (Subspecialty Certified, 2009)
Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)
Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA)
Kentucky Orthopaedic Society
Kentucky Medical Association
Lexington Medical Society
Licensed by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure (since 2002)
Education & Training
Sports Medicine Fellowship — University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY · 2002–2003
Orthopedic Surgery Residency — University of Alabama Hospitals · Birmingham, AL · 1998–2002 (Administrative Chief Resident, 2001–2002)
Internship — University of Alabama Hospitals · Birmingham, AL · 1997–1998
Doctor of Medicine — University of Louisville School of Medicine · 1997 · Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society
Bachelor of Science, Biology — Georgetown College · Georgetown, KY · 1993 · Magna Cum Laude
Book chapter
Physical Examination of the Knee. In Clinical Sports Medicine, eds. DL Johnson and SD Mair.
Editorial / journal reviewer
American Journal of Sports Medicine (2007)
Clinical Anatomy (invited reviewer, 2005)
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (invited reviewer, 2004)
Where Dr. Wilson Sees Patients
Lexington, KY — Aptiva Health — Lexington — 230 Fountain Court, Suite 180, Lexington, KY 40509 — Tel: 859-592-1008
How to Schedule a Consultation
Most patients see Dr. Wilson for sports injuries — ACL tears, meniscus tears, rotator cuff problems, shoulder dislocations, and the full range of musculoskeletal injuries that come with athletic activity at any level. He also sees patients for second opinions before considering surgery, and consultations on chronic joint problems where return to sport is the goal.
A first visit includes a full history of the injury and the patient's athletic goals, a physical examination, review of any prior imaging, and a written treatment plan. He sees patients with insurance coverage, on workers' compensation, after auto accidents, and on cash-pay terms.
Schedule An Appointment Today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions does Dr. Wilson treat?
Dr. Wilson treats the full range of sports and musculoskeletal injuries — ACL tears, meniscus tears, rotator cuff tears, shoulder labral tears, shoulder instability, knee dislocations, MCL injuries, cartilage injuries, AC joint problems, hip labral tears, tennis elbow, and patellofemoral problems — for athletes of all ages and active patients.
Where did Dr. Wilson complete his sports medicine fellowship?
Dr. Wilson completed his sports medicine fellowship at the University of Kentucky in Lexington in 2002–2003 — the same program that trains the team physicians for the UK Wildcats. He served as a UK Athletics team physician during and after fellowship, and has built his practice in Central Kentucky ever since.
Has Dr. Wilson worked as a team physician for UK Athletics?
Yes. Dr. Wilson served as team physician for the University of Kentucky Athletics from 2002 to 2005, alongside roles with Kentucky State University and Morehead State University. He has also served as team physician for Georgetown College, Scott County High School, Lexington Christian Academy, the Lexington Horsemen, and the Lexington Men-O-War, and is the current Medical Director of the Georgetown College Athletic Training Program.
Does Dr. Wilson treat youth and high school athletes?
Yes. Dr. Wilson has more than 20 years of experience caring for high school and collegiate athletes in Central Kentucky, including team physician roles at Scott County High School and Lexington Christian Academy. He treats athletes from middle school age through college, masters, and recreational levels.
Does Dr. Wilson perform ACL surgery?
Yes. ACL reconstruction is one of the procedures Dr. Wilson performs most often. He uses arthroscopic minimally invasive techniques and has authored peer-reviewed research on ACL surgery — including studies on tunnel enlargement and femoral tunnel fracture after ACL reconstruction — published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy.
What sports does Dr. Wilson treat injuries from?
Every sport. His training and practice covers basketball, football, baseball, soccer, hockey, golf, tennis, pickleball, running, lacrosse, cheerleading, wrestling, swimming, volleyball, and the full range of sports played in Kentucky.
Is Dr. Wilson board certified?
Yes. Dr. Wilson is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and holds a Certificate of Added Qualification in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
Does Dr. Wilson treat pickleball injuries?
Yes — pickleball injuries are one of the fastest-growing reasons patients come to see him. The most common pickleball injuries are rotator cuff strains, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), calf strains, Achilles tendon problems, and ankle sprains. Most respond to conservative treatment; a smaller percentage need surgical repair.
Can I see Dr. Wilson for a second opinion?
Yes. Many of Dr. Wilson's patients come to him for a second opinion before deciding on surgery. Bringing prior imaging (MRI, X-ray, CT) and any prior physician notes makes the consultation most useful.
What insurance does Dr. Wilson accept?
Dr. Wilson accepts most major medical insurance plans, CareSource, workers' compensation, auto accident coverage (PIP and MedPay), and cash-pay arrangements.
How long does ACL recovery take?
Most patients are cleared to return to running at 4–6 months, return to sport-specific training at 6–9 months, and return to competitive play at 9–12 months — depending on the sport, age, graft choice, and rehabilitation progress. Dr. Wilson uses functional return-to-sport testing rather than pure timeline benchmarks before clearing a patient back to full play.