Dr. Jonathan Payne

Dr. Jonathan Payne 🦴 Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon |
🛠 Shoulder, Hip & Knee |🎖Military Trained Dr. Jonathan Payne grew up in nearby Loganville, Georgia.

He attended the University of Georgia and received a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology in 2008. Prior to beginning medical school, he volunteered to join the United States Army and was commissioned as an officer. He went on to complete medical training at The Medical College of Georgia in 2013. Following graduation, Dr. Payne completed five years of orthopedic surgery training at the Sa

n Antonio Military Medical Center, the only level 1 trauma center in the entire military. After completing residency in 2018, Dr. Payne served four years as a military orthopedic surgeon and performed hundreds of surgeries during this time. He played a key role in bringing robotic surgery capabilities to Fort Hood, Texas and has several years’ experience with this technology. He is a combat veteran and deployed to a remote location in the Middle East with the elite Green Beret soldiers of the 5th Special Forces Group. During this time, he performed multiple surgeries on casualties near the front lines of a war zone and provided humanitarian medical aid to the local population. Dr. Payne has research articles published in peer-reviewed orthopedic journals and is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Dr. Payne is board certified and specializes in major joint surgery of the shoulder, hip, and knee. He cares for problems related to tendon and ligament injuries, broken bones, arthritis and a wide range of injuries from sports and daily activities. He is happily married with two children, and has two miniature wiener dogs named Beau and Georgia. He enjoys spending time with family and is active in his church. The Georgia Bulldogs are near and dear to his heart as well as his mama’s home cooking.

08/10/2026

💪Muscle mass doesn’t lie.

These axial MRI slices tell a powerful story:

The two athletes — DECADES APART in age — show robust muscle, minimal fat, and solid tissue quality. The sedentary 71-year-old shows the opposite: significantly more fat and markedly reduced muscle volume.

As an orthopedic surgeon, I see the real-world consequences of this difference every week. Higher muscle mass means better joint protection, stronger tendons and ligaments, improved balance, faster recovery after injury or surgery, and lower risk of falls and fractures. It also supports metabolic health, bone density, insulin sensitivity, and overall resilience as we age.

MUSCLE IS NOT JUST FOR LOOKS — it’s orthopedic insurance and a foundation for healthy longevity.

Top 3 tips to maintain muscle mass as you age:
1. Prioritize progressive resistance training 2–3 times per week (compound movements still matter most).
2. Hit adequate protein (aim for ~1.6–2.2 g/kg of body weight daily, distributed across meals).
3. Stay consistent with movement and recovery — sleep, manage stress, and don’t let long periods of inactivity become the norm.

Age is not the limiting factor. Consistency is.

Keep showing up for your future self.
— Dr. Payne

08/07/2026

The #1 question I get asked by patients?

“Are you old enough to be a surgeon?”

🤦‍♂️At first it annoyed me. Then it made me self-conscious. After hearing it enough times, I finally decided to get to the bottom of it, especially since I am 40 YEARS OLD.

So I’m getting bloodwork and a full workup… just to see if there’s some underlying biological reason I still look like I should be asking for the STUDENT DISCOUNT at the movies instead of performing your hip replacement.

👀Stay tuned for the results.

In the meantime, I promise I’m fully licensed, board-certified, and old enough to fix your shoulder, hip, or knee.

08/05/2026

No two knees are the same — watch Dr. Payne robotically map yours. 🤖

Using the ROSA® Knee System by Zimmer Biomet, Dr. Payne creates a precise, real-time 3D map of your unique anatomy — including the femoral condyle — for a truly personalized knee replacement.

Precision. Personalization. Better outcomes.

www.jpaynemd.com

zimmer biomet

08/03/2026

Donor tissue (from a cadaver) in ACL Reconstruction 🦵

Allografts (donor tissue) are a popular option for many patients — especially those who want to avoid harvesting their own tendon. Here are the most common types we see:
• BPTB (Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone)
• Tibialis anterior or posterior
• Achilles tendon with bone block
• Hamstring tendon grafts

The advantages are real:
✅ No donor site morbidity
✅ Shorter surgical time
✅ Predictable graft size

❌ However, as a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon, I DO NOT use allografts in young athletes.

Why?
Multiple high-level studies have shown significantly higher failure rates in patients under ~25–30 years old, along with lower rates of return to sport at the same level. Young, active patients place much higher demands on the graft, and allografts simply don’t incorporate and remodel as reliably as a patient’s own tissue (autograft) in this population.

For weekend warriors, older patients, or lower-demand individuals, allografts can be an excellent choice. But if you’re a young athlete trying to get back to cutting, pivoting, and competitive play — I strongly prefer an autograft (usually patellar tendon or hamstring) for the best long-term outcome.

Have you had an allograft or are you considering one? Drop your questions below 👇 I’m happy to answer.

07/31/2026

This is why I keep saying: BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU BELIVE ONLINE, especially when it’s about your health.

This post is from someone claiming to be a physical therapist… and the knee anatomy is completely wrong. Wrong labels. Incorrect structures. Straight-up inaccurate.

When misinformation like this gets shared, patients start making decisions based on bad information — delaying care, doing the wrong exercises, or getting anxious about problems that don’t even exist.

Your knees (and your health) are too important for random internet advice.

Always verify the source. Look for real credentials. And when in doubt, ask a trusted physician.

Have you ever seen medical advice online that was just… wrong? Drop it below 👇

07/27/2026

❤️ this one hits different.

I had the honor of replacing the knee of one of my own: a true legend at Athens Regional Hospital. This incredible OR nurse has been caring for patients with compassion and skill here in since 1973… and she’s was still going strong into her 80s - until she became debilitated by severe knee pain.

🏥Today, she’s back where she belongs — in the OR, helping others heal. Watching her walk back into that room with that same energy just six weeks after surgery was pure joy.

To celebrate her strength and spirit, I surprised her with a special t-shirt that says it all:

“I’m now a BIONIC BULLDOG with a new lease on life.”

🥲Her smile lit up the whole room. Moments like this remind me why I do what I do. It’s not just about fixing knees — it’s about giving dedicated people like her more years to do what they love and serve their community.

To every patient out there wondering if it’s possible to get back to the life you love… this is your sign. 💪
Tag someone who inspires you to keep showing up.

(Shared with patient permission)

07/23/2026

Left knee vs Right knee — same patient, different surgeon… different closure technique. 👀

On the left: classic staples from another surgeon. You can see the jagged, railroad-track scarring that’s so common with skin staples.

On the right: layered closure with absorbable Monocryl suture. Clean, flat, and barely noticeable.

This is why I’m a huge believer in meticulous layered closure using running subcuticular Monocryl for my knee incisions.

Benefits include: • Superior cosmetic results (minimal scarring) • No staple removal appointment or discomfort • Less wound tension and better healing • Lower risk of stitch abscesses or track marks

Patients deserve incisions that don’t announce their surgery from across the room. Technique matters.

Which side would you rather have? Drop a comment👇

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Teeing up some good news for all my golf-loving patients! ⛳🏌️‍♂️Think joint replacements mean hanging up your clubs? Not...
07/21/2026

Teeing up some good news for all my golf-loving patients! ⛳🏌️‍♂️

Think joint replacements mean hanging up your clubs? Not a chance! According to my latest orthopedic literature review, getting back on the course after elective orthopaedic surgery is not only possible — it’s probable, with high return-to-play rates across the board. 

• #1 Total Knee Replacement: Most patients are back swinging (gently at first!) around 3–6 months. Time to trade that knee pain for birdies!
• #2 Total Hip Replacement: Similar timeline — often hitting the links in 3–6 months with that smooth, pain-free rotation.
• #3 Total Shoulder Replacement: A bit more patience needed (typically 4–6 months), but once cleared, you’ll be driving it straighter than ever.

Whether it’s your knee, hip, or shoulder, modern joint replacements are designed to get you back to the game you love. The key? Follow your rehab, listen to your body, and ease into those full swings.

Who else is ready to crush some drives post-surgery? Drop your best golf pun below! ⛳😂

Need more info? Visit www.jpaynemd.com

jointreplacement

07/17/2026

Fueling Peak Performance ⚕️☕💧

Starting the day right as a surgeon means setting up for hours of focused, high-stakes work. Here’s a quick look at my pre-OR ritual:

1. Electrolytes in water – Hydration isn’t just about water. For busy surgeons (or anyone with demanding days), electrolytes help maintain fluid balance, support nerve and muscle function, prevent cramps and fatigue, and keep cognitive sharpness high during long procedures. Dehydration—even mild—can impair focus and performance, so this is non-negotiable. 

2. Black espresso, timed later in the morning – I wait a bit after waking to let natural cortisol do its thing first. Drinking caffeine during the early peak can lead to tolerance buildup and bigger crashes later. Delaying optimizes the energy boost when I need it most for sustained alertness in the OR. 

3. Heading into the hospital – Ready to give my best to every patient.

Bonus on black coffee: It’s loaded with antioxidants (like chlorogenic acids) that support heart health, may lower risks of type 2 diabetes, liver issues, and even neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Zero calories, maximum benefits when kept clean. 

What’s one habit that powers your high-performance mornings? Drop it below 👇

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Athens, GA

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+17066135880

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