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Dr. Pettit on the field
Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine · Cincinnati, OH

Expert Sports Medicine Care: Restoring Function and Maximizing Performance.

Robert Pettit, MD — Sports Medicine & Joint Replacement

"Our comprehensive approach tailors a personalized plan to help you recover in the fastest, safest, least invasive ways possible."

— Dr. Robert Pettit, MD · Fellowship-Trained at Harvard & Tufts
Sports Medicine
Fellowship Trained
Mako
Robotics Certified
Top Doc
Top Doc Since 2022
Board
Certified — ABOS
Team Physician
Cincinnati RedsTeam Physician
Kentucky BarrelsMedical Director
St. Xavier High SchoolTeam Physician
Boston CelticsFormer Asst. Team Physician
Florence Y'allsFormer Team Physician
NE Free JacksFormer Asst. Team Physician
Merrimack WarriorsFormer Asst. Team Physician
Dr. Robert Pettit, MD — Cincinnati Reds Team Physician
Cincinnati Reds — Team Physician
Professional-Level Expertise
For Every Patient

As a Team Physician for the Cincinnati Reds, Dr. Pettit brings major league orthopedic care and sports medicine expertise to athletes and active adults across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

MLB
Cincinnati Reds
NBA
Former Celtics Physician
Top Doc
Since 2022
Dr. Robert Pettit, MD
St. X '06
State Champion · Cincinnati Native
Physician Bio

Meet Dr. Robert Pettit

Orthopedic sports medicine surgeon focused on athlete and active-patient care across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, with clinical interests spanning ACL reconstruction, meniscus preservation, shoulder instability, rotator cuff pathology, cartilage restoration, and modern knee replacement.

Dr. Robert Pettit, MD is an orthopedic surgeon with a sports medicine focus who cares for high school, collegiate, and active adult patients throughout the Cincinnati region. His practice emphasizes clear diagnosis, thoughtful treatment planning, and a recovery pathway built around the patient’s specific goals.

His clinical work includes ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair and preservation, arthroscopic knee surgery, rotator cuff and labral care, cartilage procedures, fracture care, and total knee replacement. He is known for a patient-centered approach that combines modern surgical techniques, direct communication, and practical return-to-sport or return-to-life planning.

For patients visiting this website, the goal is simple: make it easy to understand what condition is being treated, where to read more, where to find post-op protocols, and how to access research and patient resources without digging through a generic group site.

FocusSports medicine, knee, shoulder, and active-patient orthopedic care
ProceduresACL, meniscus, shoulder arthroscopy, fracture care, and knee replacement
Patient GoalClear recommendations, efficient recovery guidance, and direct access to answers
RegionCincinnati, Fort Thomas, and Northern Kentucky
MLB
Cincinnati Reds Team Physician
NBA
Former Boston Celtics Physician
KBB
Kentucky Barrels Medical Director
HS
St. Xavier Team Physician
PRP
Published Research · ACL & Cartilage
Our Approach

Patient Care Built for Athletes

01
Personalized Game Plan

Every treatment plan is tailored to your injury, goals, sport, lifestyle, and anatomy — built around getting you back to performance, not just pain relief.

02
Modern Techniques

Advanced arthroscopy, cartilage restoration strategies, and Mako robotic joint replacement are used thoughtfully when they fit the problem and the patient.

03
Joint Preservation First

Whenever possible, the goal is to preserve the native joint with repair, restoration, and biologic or cartilage-focused options before moving to replacement in younger active patients.

Specialties

Advanced Orthopedic Care

Full-spectrum knee and shoulder care — from minimally invasive arthroscopy to Mako robotic joint replacement — for athletes and active adults at every level.

Knee
Knee — 01
ACL & Ligament Reconstruction

Minimally invasive arthroscopic ACL, PCL, and multi-ligament reconstruction with published research on optimizing return-to-sport outcomes and timelines.

Knee — 02
Cartilage Restoration

Osteochondral allograft transplantation, microfracture, and advanced cartilage repair to treat damage and delay arthritis in young, active patients.

Knee — 03
Meniscal Repair & Transplantation

Arthroscopic meniscus repair, partial meniscectomy, and full meniscal allograft transplantation to restore natural knee cushioning and long-term function.

Knee — 04
Knee Osteotomy

High tibial and distal femoral osteotomies to realign the joint and redistribute load — preserving native tissue in younger patients with compartmental arthritis.

Knee — 05
Mako Robotic Partial Knee Replacement

Robotic-assisted unicompartmental replacement preserving healthy tissue — precise bone preparation and implant positioning for faster, more natural recovery.

Knee — 06
Mako Robotic Total Knee Replacement

Full knee replacement with Mako robotic precision for optimal implant alignment, improved longevity, reduced pain, and faster return to an active lifestyle.

Shoulder
Shoulder — 01
Rotator Cuff Repair

Minimally invasive arthroscopic repair for partial and full-thickness rotator cuff tears — restoring strength and overhead function with less pain and faster recovery.

Shoulder — 02
Labral Reconstruction & Bankart Repair

Arthroscopic repair of labral tears and Bankart lesions — restoring shoulder stability and preventing recurrent dislocations in athletes and active patients.

Shoulder — 03
Impingement & Bursitis Treatment

Subacromial decompression, acromioplasty, and bursectomy via minimally invasive arthroscopy — relieving chronic pain and restoring comfortable overhead motion.

Shoulder — 04
SLAP Repair & Biceps Tenodesis

Arthroscopic repair of SLAP tears and biceps tendon pathology — addressing deep shoulder pain, catching, and weakness common in overhead and throwing athletes.

Shoulder — 05
Total Shoulder Replacement

Anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty for end-stage glenohumeral arthritis — restoring smooth, pain-free motion with modern implants designed for long-term durability.

Shoulder — 06
Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

Specialized reverse shoulder arthroplasty for massive cuff tears and complex arthritis — backed by Dr. Pettit's published research demonstrating excellent functional outcomes.

Patient Education

Conditions We Treat

Click any condition below to access detailed patient education. Featured local SEO pages are also linked here for Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky search traffic.

Patient Resources

Post-Operative Protocols

Three commonly requested protocols are highlighted first for easy access. Use the button below to open the full PDF library.

Knee
Shoulder
Sports / Tendon
Trauma / Fracture
Additional
Patient note: these protocols are educational recovery guides and should always be followed together with your specific surgical instructions, office guidance, and physical therapy progression.
Peer-Reviewed Research

Published Clinical Research

Dr. Pettit has published in high-impact orthopaedic journals covering ACL reconstruction, cartilage restoration, and shoulder arthroplasty — contributing to the evidence base that guides modern sports medicine practice.

PubMed
2022 Shoulder
Clinical Outcomes After Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: Does Preoperative Diagnosis Make a Difference?
Saini SS, Pettit R, Puzzitiello RN, Hart PA, Shah SS, Jawa A, Kirsch JM.
Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS)· Feb 2022
2022 Shoulder
Primary Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Glenohumeral Arthritis: Does Glenoid Morphology Matter?
Pettit RJ, Saini SB, Puzzitiello RN, Hart PA, Ross G, Kirsch JM, Jawa A.
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery· 2022
PubMed
2021 Cartilage
Time Matters: Knee Cartilage Defect Expansion and High-Grade Lesion Formation While Awaiting Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation
Pettit RJ, Everhart JS, DiBartola AC, Blackwell RE, Flanigan DC.
Cartilage· Dec 2021 · PMID: 34894761
PubMed
2021 Shoulder
Surgical Technique for Superior Capsule Reconstruction With 6-mm Acellular Dermal Allograft and Knotless Glenoid Anchors
Forlizzi JM, Sylvia SM, Pettit RJ, Saini SS, MacAskill M, Ross G, Shah SS.
Arthroscopy Techniques· Jul 2021 · PMID: 34336581
2020 ACL
Cartilage Damage at the Time of ACL Reconstruction Is Associated With Weaker Quadriceps Function and Lower Risk of Future ACL Injury
DiBartola AC, Swank K, Pettit R, Hughes LD, Lewis C, Flanigan DC.
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy (KSSTA)· Feb 2020;28(2):576–583
2020 ACL / Return to Sport
Return to Sport After ACL Reconstruction Requires Evaluation of >2 Functional Tests, Psychological Readiness, Quadriceps/Hamstring Strength, and Time >8 Months
Shah S, Chilton M, Le Breton S, Pettit R, Ives K, Ramappa A, et al.
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine· 2020
2020 Knee Replacement
Risk Factors for Mid-Flexion Instability After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review
Vajapey SP, Pettit R, Li M, Chen AF, Spitzer AI, Glassman AH.
The Journal of Arthroplasty· 2020
2019 Hip / Reconstruction
Rapid Return to Function With Dual Mobility Components in an Acetabular Reconstructive Cage for Periacetabular Metastatic Disease
Plummer DR, Passen E, Alexander JH, Vajapey SP, Frantz TL, Niedermeier SR, Pettit RJ, Scharschmidt TJ.
Journal of Surgical Oncology· 2019
2019 ACL / Carpal Tunnel
Early Postoperative Improvement in Sleep and Pain After Carpal Tunnel Release
Niedermeier SR, Pettit R, Frantz TL, Colvell K, Awan HM.
Hand (New York)· 2019
Showing peer-reviewed publications. View full list on PubMed or Doximity.
Media & News

Dr. Pettit In the News

Featured in local and regional media for his expertise in sports medicine, joint preservation, and advanced orthopedic care across Greater Cincinnati.

Media Feature
Expert Orthopedic Care for an Active Life

Dr. Pettit discusses his patient-first philosophy, his journey from St. Xavier High School athlete to fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, and how advanced techniques like Mako robotic surgery and cartilage restoration are changing outcomes for patients across Cincinnati.

Watch Now
Patient Reviews

What Patients Say

Hundreds of 5-star reviews from athletes and active adults who got back to the life they love.

Read all Google Reviews  →

"I tore my ACL and Dr. Pettit helped me figure out the best treatment and scheduled surgery quickly. He followed up with me weekly during rehab. His care has been absolutely amazing."

A
Verified Patient
ACL Reconstruction

"Dr. Pettit was very thorough and never made me feel rushed. He answered all my questions and explained exactly how long recovery would take. Truly exceptional care."

B
Verified Patient
Sports Medicine

"I have never had such a kind and caring doctor. He knew I was nervous about surgery and was there to reassure me beforehand. My knee feels better than it has in years."

C
Verified Patient
Knee Replacement
Locations & Surgery Centers

Where to see Dr. Pettit and where he operates

Dr. Pettit sees patients across multiple Beacon locations in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, with surgery performed at regional hospitals and surgery centers.

Beacon Fort Thomas

775 Alexandria Pike, Fort Thomas, KY. Northern Kentucky clinic access point for consultations, follow-up care, and sports medicine visits.

Beacon Finneytown

Beacon clinic location for patient evaluation, follow-up visits, and general orthopedic access.

Beacon East

East-side clinic location for orthopedic consultation, treatment planning, and follow-up management.

Beacon West

West-side clinic access for sports medicine, orthopedic consultation, and postoperative care.

Beacon Red Bank

3950 Red Bank Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45227. Central Beacon location for clinic visits and broader regional access.

Surgery Centers / Hospitals
Get In Touch

Schedule Your Consultation

Ready to get back to the sport and life you love? Contact Beacon Orthopaedics to schedule with Dr. Pettit at multiple Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky locations.

Phone
(513) 354-3700 General
(513) 441-5639 Direct Office Line
Locations
3950 Red Bank Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45227
775 Alexandria Pike, Fort Thomas, KY
+ Multiple Beacon locations
Office Hours
Mon – Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Online booking available 24/7
Request an Appointment
Book Online Instantly →
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Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
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