J. Ryan Hill, M.D. Orthopaedic Surgeon

Clinical Biography

J. Ryan Hill, M.D., is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon at UAMS Health who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder and elbow disorders and injuries. He sees patients at the UAMS Health Orthopaedic and Spine Clinic in North Little Rock and the UAMS Health Orthopaedic Clinic on Colonel Glenn Road in Little Rock. He performs surgical procedures in The Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital at UAMS Health as well as the UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock. Additionally, he spends part of his clinical time at the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans’ Hospital.

Dr. Hill knew that he wanted to go into medicine — particularly orthopaedic surgery — from a very early age.  A lifelong athlete, his first exposure to orthopaedic surgery occurred in high school, when he underwent knee surgery due to a basketball injury.  Now, Dr. Hill enjoys having the opportunity to alleviate patients’ pain and improve their function, so they can get back to what they love doing. Shoulder pain is one of the most common complaints that brings people to a physician’s office, and shoulder disorders extend across the spectrum of patient ages and activity levels. Elbow disorders, while less common, also affect a broad demographic of patients. Both joints are characterized by significant anatomical and biomechanical complexity, which can be helped through various types of surgical procedures — from minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery to joint replacements and ligament reconstructions.

Importantly, through his own research and that of others, Dr. Hill understands the essential role that mental health and overall wellbeing play in successful musculoskeletal care, not only in the development of and coping with orthopaedic problems, but also for optimal recovery following surgery. Additionally, as a former athlete, Dr. Hill understands the desires and needs of athletes of all levels.

Dr. Hill practices evidence-based medicine and is committed to advancing orthopaedic care through research. His academic focus includes the muscle activation patterns of the shoulder girdle as well as the developed and acquired deformities of the scapula and humerus as the body ages. His academic endeavors are aimed at better understanding the complex movement patterns of the shoulder joint as well as the development and progression of shoulder arthritis, with the goals of improving his patients’ outcomes following shoulder replacement surgery (anatomic and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty).

Outside of work, Dr. Hill enjoys spending time with his wife exploring the outdoors, cooking, visiting restaurants, and traveling.