W. Taylor Harris M.D.Dual-fellowship Trained Orthopaedic Surgeon Sports Medicine & Hip Preservation Specialist
Dr. W. Taylor Harris is an orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon and hip specialist who is a part of the EmergeOrtho - Blue Ridge Region Team.
With fellowships in sports medicine, hip preservation, and arthroscopy, certification in robotic hip replacement, and experience as a Clemson University varsity football player, Dr. Harris is uniquely positioned and qualified to provide patients with innovative minimally invasive treatments and personalize care.
Dr. Harris has a particular interest in hip preservation. Non-arthritic hip preservation surgeries include arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), microinstability of the hip, labrum repair/reconstruction/augmentation, endoscopic gluteus medius/minimus repair, endoscopic/open proximal hamstring repair/reconstruction, as well as sports hernia/core muscle injuries. Continuing, his training in robotic hip replacement allows for treatment of the full spectrum of hip pathologies. Additionally, he treats sports related injuries of the shoulder, knee, and elbow.
He graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and subsequently earned his medical degree with honors at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. He completed an orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga, followed by completing two fellowships: first a sports medicine fellowship with E. Lyle Cain, MD, Jeffery Dugas, MD, Benton A. Emblom MD, and James Andrews, MD at the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) in Birmingham, Alabama, and second a hip arthroscopy/preservation fellowship with Ben Domb, MD at the American Hip Institute in Chicago, Illinois.
Dr. Harris utilizes a team approach to patient care, leading his patients’ treatment planning and ensuring thorough communication across all medical team members.
When not practicing medicine, Dr. Harris enjoys time spent with family and friends such as snow skiing, Clemson University sports, golf, exercise, and Formula 1 racing.
Education & Expertise
Dr. Harris received his undergraduate degree from Clemson University. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. His orthopaedic residency was spent at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. As an orthopaedic sports medicine doctor, he has completed two orthopaedic fellowships: one in sports medicine at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, AL, and the other for hip arthroscopy/preservation at the American Hip Institute in Chicago, IL. Combined with his Stryker Mako certifications in total knee and hip arthroplasty, Dr. Harris brings the most innovative treatments and techniques to EmergeOrtho—Blue Ridge Region.
Education
- Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC
- Orthopaedic Residency: University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga, TN
- Orthopaedic Fellowship: American Sports Medicine Institute, Birmingham, AL
- Orthopaedic Fellowship: American Hip Institute, Chicago, IL
Honors & Awards
- ASMI Fellow Research Award–Basic Science
- Orthopaedic In-Training Academic Achievement Award–University of Tennessee College of Medicine
- Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Society–University of South Carolina School of Medicine
- Fullerton Scholar–University of South Carolina School of Medicine
- Phi Beta Kappa–Clemson University
- Department of Biological Sciences Faculty GPA Award–Clemson University
Memberships
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
- Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA)
- American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)
- The Hip Preservation Society (ISHA)
Publications & Presentations
- Owens JS, Lee MS, Jimenez AE, Maldonado DR, Harris WT, Paraschos OA, Domb BG. Sex-Based Differences in Athletes Undergoing Primary Hip Arthroscopy With Labral Reconstruction: A Propensity-Matched Analysis With Minimum 2-Year Follow-up. Orthop J Sports Med. 2022 Jun 3;10(6):23259671221100861. doi: 10.1177/23259671221100861. PMID: 35677021; PMCID: PMC9168863.
- Kuhns BD, Harris WT, Domb BG. Low Ceiling Effects of the Forgotten Joint Score Compared With Legacy Measures After Joint-Preserving Procedures: A Systematic Review. Arthroscopy. 2023 Feb 18:S0749-8063(23)00176-7. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2023.01.107. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36804458.
- Harris WT, Jimenez AE, Owens JS, Delgado-Arellanes I, Lall AC, Domb BG. X-Grab: An Arthroscopic Maneuver to Efficiently and Accurately Track the Post for Knot Tying. Arthrosc Tech. 2022 May 11;11(6):e947-e950. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2022.01.014. PMID: 35782850; PMCID: PMC9243617.
- Sabetian PW, Paraschos OA, Harris WT, Padilla PP, Maldonado DR, Domb BG. Anchor Arthropathy Caused by Cartilage Penetration: An Approach to Revision Hip Arthroscopy With Removal of Problematic Anchors. Arthrosc Tech. 2022 Sep 17;11(10):e1689- e1694. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2022.06.003. PMID: 36311313; PMCID: PMC9596390.
- Paraschos OA, Harris WT, Owens JS, Lall AC, Domb BG. Arthroscopic Peripheral Compartment Iliopsoas Release for Iliopsoas Impingement After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty. Arthrosc Tech. 2023 Jan 23;12(1):e115-e120. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2022.08.066. PMID: 36814974; PMCID: PMC9939739.
- Domb B.G., Jimenez A.E., Harris T., Lee M.S., et al. Application of Deep Learning Models to Predict the Need for Revision Surgery in High-Level Athletes. Poster Presentation. International Cartilage Regeneration Society (ICRS), Berlin, Germany, April 2022.
- George T., Jimenez A.E., Lee M.S., Owens J.S., Harris T. et al. Minimum 2-Year Outcomes and Return to Sport of Competitive Athletes who Undergo Primary Hip Arthroscopy and Subspine Decompression for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome and Subspine Impingement: A Propensity-Matched Controlled Study. Podium Presentation. Orthopaedic Summit, Las Vegas, NV, December 2021.
- Maldonado DR, Lee MS, Jimenez AE, Harris WT, Sabetian PW, Padilla PA, Lall AC, Domb BG. Minimum 10-Year Follow-Up Outcomes and Survivorship following Primary Hip Arthroscopy with Acetabular Microfracture. Podium Presentation. Eastern Orthopaedic Association (EOA) Annual Meeting. Naples, Florida. October 2022.
- Padilla P, Jimenez Ae, Harris WT Lee MS, Owens JS, Maldonado DR, Lall AC, Domb BG. Application of Deep Learning Models to Predict Return to Sport in Athletes Undergoing Revision Hip Arthroscopy. Podium Presentation. International Society of Hip Arthroscopy (ISHA) Annual Meeting. Glasgow, Scotland. October 2022.
- Maldonado DR, Kufta A, Go CC, Padilla P, Harris WT, Lall AC, Domb BG. Hip Arthroscopy Reimbursement Fell by 16.6% on Average Between 2011 and 2022. Poster Presentation. International Society of Hip Arthroscopy (ISHA) Annual Meeting. Glasgow, Scotland. October 2022.
- Domb BG, Jimenez AE, Lee MS, George T, Owens JS, Harris WT, Maldonado DR, Lall AC. Minimum 2-Year Outcomes and Return to Sport of Competitive Athletes who Undergo Primary Hip Arthroscopy and Subspine Decompression for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome and Subspine Impingement: A Propensity-Matched Controlled Study. Poster Presentation. International Society of Hip Arthroscopy (ISHA) Annual Meeting. Glasgow, Scotland. October 2022.
- Padilla P, Lee MS. Paraschos OA, Jimenez AE, Harris WT Owens JS, Maldonado DR, Lall AC, Domb BG. Midterm Survivorship and Outcomes of Adolescents Undergoing Primary Hip Arthroscopy: A Comparison Between Traumatic and Atraumatic Injuries. Podium Presentation. International Society of Hip Arthroscopy (ISHA) Annual Meeting. Glasgow, Scotland. October 2022.
- Domb BG, Lee MS, Owens JS, Harris WT. Long Term Survivorship and Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Capsular Repair and Primary Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome. Podium Presentation. American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Speciality Day Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, Nevada. March 2023.
- Jimenez, Andrew, and Harris WT., Lee M., Domb B. “Minimum 2-Year Outcomes and Return to Sport of Competitive Athletes who Undergo Primary Hip Arthroscopy and Subspine Decompression for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome and Subspine Impingement.” AAOS 2022 Annual Meeting. Podium Presentation. Chicago, IL.
- Doty, Jesse, and Wallace Harris. “Hallux Valgus Deformity and Treatment.” Foot and Ankle Clinics, vol. 23, no. 2, 2018, pp. 271–280., doi:10.1016/j.fcl.2018.01.007.
- ASMI Fellowship Lectures
Topics: Cervical Spine Injuries, Mensical Repair: When to take and when to keep?, Shoulder/Elbow Arthroplasty
Andrews Sports Medicine Institute; Birmingham, AL - Tarsal Navicular Stress Fractures
Grand Rounds Presentation
University of Tennessee College of Medicine; Chattanooga, TN
January 2017 - Chronic Achilles Tendon Ruptures
Grand Rounds Presentation
University of Tennessee College of Medicine; Chattanooga, TN
April 2018 - The Female Athlete
Grand Rounds Presentation
University of Tennessee College of Medicine; Chattanooga, TN
April 2019 - Bailey, L. B., Thigpen, C. A., Hawkins, R. J., Beattie, P. F., & Shanley, E. (2017). Effectiveness of Manual Therapy and Stretching for Baseball Players With Shoulder Range of Motion Deficits. Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach, 9(3), 230-237. doi:10.1177/1941738117702835
Community & Coverage
- Asheville City Championship, Asheville, North Carolina 2023
- ASMI 39th Annual Injuries in Baseball Course, Faculty Member, Birmingham, AL
- Samford University Team Physician
- Wrestlemania (WWE) Team Physician, Tampa, FL
- Alabama Ballet Dance Company Team Physician, Birmingham, AL
- Hustle Up 7 v 7 Football Tournament Team Physician, Hoover, AL
- Birmingham Barons Team Physician, Birmingham, AL
- Mountain Brook High School Team Physician
- USA Boxing Ringside Physician, Chattanooga, TN
- Erlanger Sports Medicine Team Physician; Hixson High School-Hixson, TN
- Clemson University Weightlifting Club President, Clemson, SC
- Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentor, Greenville, SC
- Ironman Medical Staff, Chattanooga, TN
- PSBC Middle School Basketball Head Coach, Greenville, SC
