Thomas L. Tanous, M.D.

Dr. Tanous grew up in the Cypress area and graduated from Cypress Falls High School. He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of North Texas. While he was at UNT, he was active as a collegiate cheerleader and later coached the all-girls squad in addition to working as an understudy looking into the molecular pathways of cell signaling. After graduating magna cum laude, he returned to his home town of Houston, TX to pursue a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. Following medical school he attended the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX, for his orthopaedic surgery residency, where he was awarded the “Golden Bone” award for excellence in student and resident teaching. It was also in his orthopaedic training that Dr. Tanous discovered his interest in joint replacement and was selected for the coveted fellowship in Lower Extremity Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, CA. While at Scripps, he trained with world-renowned meniscal and allograft transplant surgeon Bill Bugbee.

His professional interests include treatment of all injuries involving the hip and knee. While Dr. Tanous does specialize in surgical treatment of hip and knee problems, he includes a comprehensive patient conservative care model with surgery reserved for those whose symptoms don’t resolve with less invasive methods. Patients who do require joint replacement will benefit from evidence-based clinical pathways resulting in superior outcomes. He strives to get patients back to the previous level of function whether it’s playing with a grandchild or to sports such as tennis, biking, or skiing. For more information about Dr. Tanous or to schedule an appointment, please call 281.949.8509.

Getting to know Dr. Tanous

Aside from technical skills, what did you learn during your fellowship training that you’ll take with you through the rest of your career?

One of the things you learn when you focus on doing one particular type of operation and doing it very well, is that people become my patients for life – especially in the case of a joint replacement. My specific specialty is like the primary care of orthopedics. I will see my patients throughout their lifetimes, check up on them, and make sure they are doing well. That gives me the opportunity to develop a relationship with each of my patients and that bond can be incredibly affirming.

How do you see the field of orthopedics changing over the next 20 years?

I think the field of joint replacement will become larger as baby boomers retire. There will be a push for better technology and advancements in care to prevent the development of arthritis or delay its onset. Someday, we will have a biologic replacement for hips and knees as opposed to the metal replacements we use today. Now is an exciting time to be involved in this specialty.

What are the most common injuries you treat?

I focus primarily on arthritis, mainly in the hips and knees, but I also see patients with traumatic injuries like fractures, sprains and strains of the lower extremities. One of the things I like most about my work is having the opportunity to work with patients who have arthritic problems during the earlier stages of onset. That way, I can advise less invasive treatments that help patients return quickly to their lives and daily activities.

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