Joint Replacement, Hip, Knee, Shoulder, Sports Medicine
Leland, Shallotte
Most recent review: 2 months ago
4.9
463 Ratings
196 Comments
Dr. Thomas Kelso, M.D. practices at the Shallotte location and the Brunswick Forest Cutlar Crossing location of EmergeOrtho. He earned his undergraduate degree at Virginia Tech and completed his medical education at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA. He is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. He received his Fellowship from the American College of Sports Medicine.
Dr. Thomas Kelso, M.D. practices at the Shallotte location and the Brunswick Forest Cutlar Crossing location of EmergeOrtho. He earned his undergraduate degree at Virginia Tech and completed his medical education at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA. He is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. He received his Fellowship from the American College of Sports Medicine.
The reviews listed below were collected independently of EmergeOrtho through rater8. Each review represents an authentic and verified patient experience.
Dr Kelso preformed my right knee replacement and all went very well. Hope he enjoys retirement!
(2 months ago)
Dec-2025
Great surgeon! I am recovering nicely. Wish I didn't have to have the operation at all but glad that he was my surgeon since I really needed it.
(3 months ago)
Dec-2025
Exceptional surgeon! Going to miss him with his retirement at end of year!!
(3 months ago)
Dec-2025
I have to say that Dr Kelso is the best Dr I’ve ever been to. He cares about his patients and how they feel. He does not rush you out of the office, he takes as much time with the patient as they need. I had to have 2 knee replacements and I was nervous but Dr Kelso talked to me and put me at ease. I feel very fortunate to have had him as my surgeon.
(3 months ago)
Nov-2025
Hard to limit my rating to five stars to the best doctor I have ever had care for me. Dr. Kelso is one of a kind and he will be sorely missed when he retires this year. A great loss to Emerge Ortho a hard act to follow. Thank you Dr. Kelso for your care, kindness and friendship — Janet Heinis
(4 months ago)
Oct-2025
I had excellent results from my shoulder replacement surgery two and a half years ago. I recently visited Dr. Kelso for a standard review of my shoulder since the surgery in Jan 2023. I have full movement of the shoulder without pain. Thank you Dr. Kelso.
(4 months ago)
Oct-2025
Best most caring doctor ever! Gonna miss him😞
(4 months ago)
Oct-2025
Great surgeon ! Thank you !
(4 months ago)
Oct-2025
He’s the best! Great surgeon before, during and after my surgery. Thank you Dr. Kelso!
Dr. Thomas Kelso, M.D. practices at the Shallotte location and the Brunswick Forest Cutlar Crossing location of EmergeOrtho. He earned his undergraduate degree at Virginia Tech and completed his medical education at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA. He is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. He received his Fellowship from the American College of Sports Medicine.
Prior to attending medical school, he studied the effects of exercise on muscle metabolism and received his Ph.D. from Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine. He conducted research and authored or co-authored numerous research articles before entering orthopedic practice full time.
Dr. Kelso received his orthopedic training at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. While in the Navy, he served for two years as the Medical Officer aboard the guided-missile cruiser, USS Virginia. After completing his orthopedic residency, he was a member of the teaching staff at the Naval Medical Center and Director of Orthopedic Residency Research. During this period he also served as the orthopedic surgeon for the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. Dr. Kelso left the Navy in 2000 and practiced for ten years in Springfield, Missouri at St. John’s Hospital, a level I trauma center. While practicing at St. John’s, Dr. Kelso received extensive experience in caring for orthopedic trauma patients.
During this time he was also a team orthopedic surgeon for Missouri State University and the Springfield Cardinals baseball team (the AA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals). In addition, he served as the chairman of the St. John’s orthopedic group. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Dr. Kelso specializes in joint replacement and reconstructive surgery, and sports medicine. He has particular interests in shoulder, hip, and knee replacement surgeries, including direct anterior total hip replacement and reverse total shoulder surgery. He also has extensive experience in arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgery and is certified in robotic total knee replacement surgery utilizing both the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery and ROSA Knee System.
Dr. Kelso is affiliated and performs inpatient and outpatient surgery at Dosher Memorial Hospital and Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center. Dr. Kelso is an owner of the Brunswick Surgery Center, LLC where he performs outpatient orthopedic surgery.
Education Undergraduate: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA Graduate: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA Doctoral Degree: Washington State University, Pullman, WA Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD Residency: Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA
Dr Kelso preformed my right knee replacement and all went very well. Hope he enjoys retirement!
Great surgeon! I am recovering nicely. Wish I didn't have to have the operation at all but glad that he was my surgeon since I really needed it.
Exceptional surgeon! Going to miss him with his retirement at end of year!!
I have to say that Dr Kelso is the best Dr I’ve ever been to. He cares about his patients and how they feel. He does not rush you out of the office, he takes as much time with the patient as they need. I had to have 2 knee replacements and I was nervous but Dr Kelso talked to me and put me at ease. I feel very fortunate to have had him as my surgeon.
Hard to limit my rating to five stars to the best doctor I have ever had care for me. Dr. Kelso is one of a kind and he will be sorely missed when he retires this year. A great loss to Emerge Ortho a hard act to follow. Thank you Dr. Kelso for your care, kindness and friendship — Janet Heinis
I had excellent results from my shoulder replacement surgery two and a half years ago. I recently visited Dr. Kelso for a standard review of my shoulder since the surgery in Jan 2023. I have full movement of the shoulder without pain. Thank you Dr. Kelso.
Best most caring doctor ever! Gonna miss him😞
Great surgeon ! Thank you !
He’s the best! Great surgeon before, during and after my surgery. Thank you Dr. Kelso!
Excellent staff and doctor.