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Ryan Donegan, MD, MS started at Bluegrass Orthopaedics in September of 2013. Dr. Donegan was born and raised in a suburb of Philadelphia, PA and traveled to Emory University in Atlanta, GA for his undergraduate education, majoring in biology and anthropology. While at Emory, he was a four-year member of the baseball team and named a first team All-American and Academic All-American during his senior year. After college, Dr. Donegan did a year of biochemistry research at the University of Pennsylvania before heading to the University of Kentucky College of Medicine (UKCOM). In 2006, Dr. Donegan graduated with highest honors from UKCOM and, following medical school, did a five-year orthopaedic surgery residency at Dartmouth Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. During his tenure at Dartmouth, he completed a one-year research fellowship and master's program at the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, with a focus on clinical research design. After residency, Dr. Donegan completed a one-year fellowship in shoulder and elbow surgery at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Donegan has research interests that include both arthroscopic and open shoulder surgery. Currently, he has been involved in multicenter studies evaluating the use of preoperative 3D templating for use in total shoulder arthroplasty, and biomechanical studies of proximal humeral fracture fixation.

Dr. Donegan enjoys spending as much time as possible with his wife, Amy, and his three children Owen, Luke and Claire.


Specialties

  • Complex shoulder and elbow arthroscopy/minimally invasive shoulder and elbow surgery
  • Primary and revision shoulder and elbow replacements
  • Fractures of the shoulder and elbow
  • Complex shoulder reconstructions including tendon transfers

Residency

  • Dartmouth Medical Center

Fellowship

  • Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine - Shoulder and Elbow

Hospital Affiliations

  • Baptist Health
  • CHI - St. Joseph East
  • Bluegrass Specialty Surgery Center

Rehabilitation
Protocols

Dr. Donegan
Champion Patients

Location
Details

3401 Yorkshire Medical Park
Lexington, KY 40509
(859) 263-5140
  • Office
  • MONDAY - FRIDAY
    8:00am - 5:00pm
    *Office may close 4:30PM on Friday

    SATURDAY WALK-IN
    8:00am - 10:00am
  • Physical Therapy
  • MONDAY - FRIDAY
    7:00am - 6:00pm

Recommended
Watching

TV Show - FPA Interview with Dr. Foxx
Shoulders

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Rotator Cuff Tears & 
Shoulder Pain

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The Virtual Implant Positioning™ VIP™
System Difference

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Shoulder Arthritis

Rafał Grzyb wearing a suit and tie smiling at the camera

Rotator Cuff Tears

Rotator Cuff Surgery

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Non-Operative
Rotator Cuff Treatment

Elbow Arthroplasty

Rafał Grzyb wearing a suit and tie smiling at the camera

Shoulder Arthroplasty

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I was recommended to Dr. Donegan by several friends. He completely repair my shoulder with excellent skills. He is very skillful, friendly and takes the time to listen to you as a patient and get to the root of your issue. He is an... I was recommended to Dr. Donegan by several friends. He completely repair my shoulder with excellent skills. He is very skillful, friendly and takes the time to listen to you as a patient and get to the root of your issue. He is an EXCELLENT surgeon as well as excellent staff.

Anonymous

Dr. Donegan diagnosed a rotator cuff tear in my left shoulder. He carefully explained my options for dealing with this injury. He even showed me a film of how this injury can be surgically repaired. Today I worked with a member of his... Dr. Donegan diagnosed a rotator cuff tear in my left shoulder. He carefully explained my options for dealing with this injury. He even showed me a film of how this injury can be surgically repaired. Today I worked with a member of his staff to schedule my surgery.

Anonymous

It was the day after Christmas and my daughter kept asking me to ride her new hover board she had gotten, and I kept saying, “No I will fall off of it”. She kept insisting I ride it and you probably know where this story is going.... It was the day after Christmas and my daughter kept asking me to ride her new hover board she had gotten, and I kept saying, “No I will fall off of it”. She kept insisting I ride it and you probably know where this story is going. To make a long story short, I rode it and fell off of it breaking the radial head in multiple pieces. This happened around 9:00 pm and I had already made up my mind after it happened that I was not going to the emergency room that night as the pain was minimal. I knew first thing the next morning I was going to call Bluegrass Orthpeodics. The only opening they had was for the clinic in Georgetown and without any hesitation I said I will take it. It is well worth the two plus hours it takes to get there from my hometown. The x-ray confirmed the fracture and they scheduled and MRI and appointment with Dr. Donegan. Needless to say he explained the procedure and how he was going to try and put the fragments back together, if not he would have to put an implant in for my radial head. He answered all my questions and explained everything thoroughly. Central Baptist was awesome as it was an outpatient procedure and everything went great. I cannot say enough good things about Dr Donegan and the staff at BO. I would refer any of my family and friends. Thankfully my movement is as well as it was prior to the accident if not better..Very satisfied and grateful.

Tonia Smith

Explained fully how my procedure would be, my limitations, very courteous. Have had no problems.

Anonymous

Was in the room before my appointment time. He performed the exam and based on what was causing my pain, showed me on the model where my problem was. However an MRI is needed to confirm the diagnosis before heading to the OR. He’s... Was in the room before my appointment time. He performed the exam and based on what was causing my pain, showed me on the model where my problem was. However an MRI is needed to confirm the diagnosis before heading to the OR. He’s knowledgeable and very pleasant.

Lynn PB

Excellent physician

Paul Harries

Dr. Donegan and his staff of Bluegrass Orthopedics In Lexington, Ky make the 3 hour drive from Pikeville, Ky to Lexington worth while. He and his staff are some of the most competent and upbeat group of professionals we have ever had... Dr. Donegan and his staff of Bluegrass Orthopedics In Lexington, Ky make the 3 hour drive from Pikeville, Ky to Lexington worth while. He and his staff are some of the most competent and upbeat group of professionals we have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. Dr. Donegan did a complete reverse shoulder replacement on me and one complete reverse replacement for my wife, Suzie. He also repaired her other shoulder. I have completely recovered from my surgery and Suzie has recovered from one of her’s. She is 2 months post op on her full replacement, and her recovery is progressing quickly. Both of us wholeheartedly recommend Dr Donegon and his staff!!!

Honsell Thompson

Dr. Donegan was fantastic. He is definitely all about making sure the patient comes first. He explains everything and gives you a timeline about your injury so that you can make a educated decision. He had to jump through hoops to get... Dr. Donegan was fantastic. He is definitely all about making sure the patient comes first. He explains everything and gives you a timeline about your injury so that you can make a educated decision. He had to jump through hoops to get everything approved. My shoulder surgery went well and I would recommend Dr Donegan highly.

Edward Klaczynski

Always nice, courteous and always explains things and listens to me.

Lisa Gabbard

A no nonsense doctor. Dr. Donegan is awesome. He gets the job done and done right.

Anonymous

A very knowledgeable doctor that provided excellent care. Good experience, had a reverse shoulder replaced with no problems. Highly recommend.

Ronnie Dalton

Dr. Donegan did all tests needed and listened to my concerns and explained everything so that I was able to understand what was going on with me, not in and out in a flash like most do. His staff was excellent as well, respectful,... Dr. Donegan did all tests needed and listened to my concerns and explained everything so that I was able to understand what was going on with me, not in and out in a flash like most do. His staff was excellent as well, respectful, courteous, and professional .

Anonymous

Awesome. Dr Donegan and his staff are caring and make the patient the number one priority. He diagnosed me on my first visit.

Gleda Blevins

Cannot say enough about this wonderful doctor. Explains everything, tells you all possible scenarios, listens and understands the fears we can get. Amazing results. I would recommend bgo to any one 100%. Thanks Doc!

Alahna

Dr. Donegan did a total reconstruction of my right rotator cuff in November 2018. I had zero pain following surgery until I started rehab. As anyone will tell you rehab from a rotator cuff surgery is always painful. Because of his skill... Dr. Donegan did a total reconstruction of my right rotator cuff in November 2018. I had zero pain following surgery until I started rehab. As anyone will tell you rehab from a rotator cuff surgery is always painful. Because of his skill as a surgeon my recovery and rehab went better than expected. He did an incredible job and I would definitely recommend him for anyone needing this type of surgery.

Anonymous