Dr. Tanous received 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, 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 who 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 the previous level of function whether it's playing with a grandchild or back to sports such as tennis, biking, or skiing. For more information on Dr. Tanous and the services he can provide, please call (206) 368-6360 to schedule an appointment.
Four question for 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 these 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.
Why was Northwest Hospital appealing to you?
The model of care is appealing here. The hospital focuses on attracting specialty physicians who have advanced training in treating very specific health care needs. In orthopedics, that model – where orthopedic surgeons hone their skills in a very special area of the body like shoulder and elbow or hip and knee – has become the wave of the future for musculoskeletal specialty care. It really benefits our patients.
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 a lot on arthritis, mainly for 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.
