• Arthroscopy (scope) and minimally invasive surgery (MIS)
• Hallux valgus (bunion) correction (including MIS)
• Lesser toe deformity correction (hammertoe, corns, calluses etc.)
• Achilles peroneal and other tendon repair and reconstruction
• Osteochondral (cartilage) lesion treatment
• Lateral ankle instability stabilization
• Tendon transfers (for loss of arch or high arch, ankle pain, drop foot etc.)
• Ankle and foot fracture repair
• Hallux metatarsophalageal joint arthrodesis (big toe fusion)
• Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) (ankle replacement)

Dr. David R. Richardson is a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center–Campbell Clinic, where he has practiced since 2005. He specializes in foot and ankle surgery, having completed Fellowship training at OrthoCarolina’s O.L. Miller Foot and Ankle Institute at Carolinas Medical Center. Dr. Richardson is an active educator and researcher, having authored more than 35 peer-reviewed publications and contributed chapters to landmark orthopaedic texts including multiple editions of Campbell’s Operative Orthopaedics and DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. He is a Board certified Fellow of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) and is an active member of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA), and multiple regional and national professional societies.

Beyond the clinic, Dr. Richardson is deeply committed to serving the Memphis and North Mississippi community, including leading foot care outreach and educational events. He counts it a privilege to practice alongside one of the strongest foot and ankle teams in the country at Campbell Clinic. Outside of medicine, he enjoys traveling with friends and family, staying active through running and tennis, and is grateful for the support of his church family.

Professional Societies

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
• American Orthopaedic Association (AOA)
• American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS)
• American Medical Association (AMA)
• Southern Orthopaedic Association (SOA)
• Mid-America Orthopaedic Association (MAOA)
• Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society (JRGOS)
• Orthopaedic Foot Club (Historian, 2025–2026)

University Appointment

Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, UTHSC–Campbell Clinic (2021–present)
Associate Professor, UTHSC–Campbell Clinic (2012–2021)
Assistant Professor, UTHSC–Campbell Clinic (2008–2012)
Orthopaedic Residency Program Director, UTHSC–Campbell Clinic (2008–2013)

Awards

• Hugh Smith Research Award, UTHSC–Campbell Clinic Research Day (2013)

Research Grants

• Campbell Clinic Foundation Grant — Achilles Tendinosis
• Tennessee Physical Therapy Association Seed Money Research Grant — Eccentric Training of Insertional Achilles Tendinosis
• Faculty Sponsor, Clinical Research Grant (x2)”

Leadership Roles / Accolades

• Board Member, AOFAS Young Physicians Section (2008)
• Orthopaedic Residency Program Director, UTHSC (2008–2013)
• Chairman, Education Quality Assurance Committee, UTHSC (2008–2013)
• Board of Trustees, Campbell Foundation (2015–2022)
• Board of Directors, Campbell Clinic (2015–2016; 2020–2024)
• Vice-Chairman, Outreach and Engagement Committee, UT-Campbell Clinic (2021–26)
• Reviewer, Foot and Ankle International (2022–2026)
• Chairman, Finance Committee, Campbell Clinic (2024–2026)
• Chairman, Retirement Committee, Campbell Clinic (2025–2026)
• Historian, Orthopaedic Foot Club (2025–2026)

Reviewer:
Foot and Ankle International, Review abstracts for national meeting

Publications

• Womack J et al. Long term evaluation of interdigital neuroma treated by surgical excision. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18549752/
• Richardson DR et al. Evaluation of the hallux morbidity after single incision flexor hallucis longus transfer. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19589308/
• Grear BJ, Richardson DR. Morphology of the malleolar fibular groove—implications in peroneal tendon pathology. *Current Orthopaedic Practice.* 2012;23(2):91–93. https://journals.lww.com/c-orthopaedicpractice/Abstract/2012/03000/Morphology_of_the_malleolar_fibular.5.aspx
• Richardson DR, Gause LN. The bridle procedure. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21925359/
• McCabe MP et al. Current concept review: vitamin D and stress fractures. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22735329/
• Jain LH, McCarthy KJ, Murphy GA, Richardson DR et al. Achilles rehab: focusing on insertional tendinosis. *Lower Extremity Review.* 2015. https://lermagazine.com/article/achilles-rehab-focusing-on-insertional-tendinosis
• Murphy RF et al. Discordance in Current Procedural Terminology Coding for foot and ankle procedures between residents and attending surgeons. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24602706/
• Kedia M et al. The effects of conventional physical therapy and eccentric strengthening for insertional Achilles tendinopathy. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25133077/
• Richardson DR, Dean EM. The recurrent Morton neuroma: What now? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25129354/
• Bettin CC et al. Cigarette smoking increases complication rate in forefoot surgery. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25583954/
• Mulligan RP et al. Psychosocial risk factors of postoperative pain in ankle and hindfoot reconstruction. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27316667/
• Mulligan RP et al. Preoperative risk factors for complications in elective ankle and hindfoot reconstruction. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28423940/
• Beahrs TR et al. Smoking effects in foot and ankle surgery: an evidence-based review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31423824/
• Ruta DJ, Ellis RT, Grear BJ, Richardson DR, Murphy GA. Headless compression screw fixation of Jones fractures: a clinical and radiographic comparison study. *Current Orthopaedic Practice.* 2020;31(5). https://journals.lww.com/c-orthopaedicpractice/Fulltext/2020/09000/Headless_compression_screw_fixation_of_Jones.2.aspx
• Stevens TT, Hartline JT, Ojo O, Grear BJ, Richardson DR, Murphy GA, Bettin CC. Race and insurance status association with receiving orthopedic surgeon-prescribed foot orthoses. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33588617/
• Hartnett DA et al. The weekend warrior: common foot and ankle injuries in recreational athletes. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34846379/
• Sarfani S et al. Understanding penicillin allergy, cross-reactivity, and antibiotic selection in the preoperative setting. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34669610/
• Frederick RM et al. Efficacy of postoperative oral antibiotics in foot and ankle surgery. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35778868/

Clinical & Research Interests

• Hallux valgus (bunion) and hallux rigidus (arthritis of big toe)
• Optimizing patient care before, during and after surgery
• Achilles tendon disorders and reconstruction
• Ankle instability and ligament repair
• Sports injuries of the foot and ankle
• Tendon transfers in the foot and ankle
• Morton’s neuroma and revision neuroma surgery
• Smoking and alcohol use associated with surgical outcomes
• Medical education and Orthopaedic residency training

Advanced Techniques / Technologies Used

• Minimally invasive surgery (mis) and arthroscopy (scope) for treatment of foot and ankle pathology
• Facilitating and collaborating adjunctive treatment of foot and ankle pathology (shock wave, platelet rich plasma (PRP), ultrasound guided injections and aspirations etc.)
• Use of blood marrow aspirate (BMAC), skin graft substitutes, vacuum assisted closure (VAC), nutritional supplementation and other adjunctive treatment to promote health
• Weight-bearing CT and other advanced imaging for assessment foot and ankle pathology
• Total ankle arthroplasty
• Osteochondral (cartilage) autograft/allograft repair and replacement
• Endoscopic intermetatarsal neuroma decompression