Thomas M. Spears, DO

Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgeon

Education

About Dr. Spears

The son of a retired Marine, Dr. Thomas Spears grew up around the world before deciding to follow in his father’s footsteps by joining the family business of military service. He entered the U.S. Navy in 2009 through its medical scholarship program, beginning a 17-year career that would shape both his approach to medicine and commitment to service.After earning his medical degree in Missouri, Dr. Spears completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. He then spent five years practicing general orthopedics on three continents, including assignments in Japan and Spain, caring for patients ranging from military retirees to members of elite operational forces. He subsequently completed an advanced fellowship in orthopedic sports medicine and shoulder surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he provided sideline coverage for the Nashville Soccer Club, the Nashville Predators, and the Nashville Sounds. He spent his final two years in the Navy with orders to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, caring for Marines and their families.

Throughout his career, Dr. Spears has remained passionate about helping people return to the activities that give their lives purpose. Whether that means competing on the field, serving in uniform, returning to work, or simply moving without pain, his goal is the same: to help every patient get back in the fight—whatever that might mean to them.

Education and Training

– BS in Cell Molecular Biology, Missouri State University

– Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University–Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

– Orthopedic Surgery Internship and Residency, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth

– Fellowship in Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Dr. Spears will focus on orthopedic sports medicine at our Billings office.

Specialties

Dr. Spears specializes in orthopedic sports medicine and the comprehensive treatment of shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle injuries, as well as fracture care. His practice includes minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery, shoulder replacement, joint preservation, cartilage restoration, and the treatment of complex instability and ligament injuries.

He cares for athletes and active individuals of all ages and abilities—from competitive student-athletes and elite performers to recreational athletes and weekend warriors. Dr. Spears develops individualized treatment plans designed to restore function and help each patient return confidently to the activities they enjoy.

His areas of expertise include:
– Shoulder instability, rotator cuff injuries, labral tears, biceps injuries, arthritis, and shoulder replacement
– Elbow ligament and tendon injuries, including ulnar collateral ligament and distal biceps injuries
– Hip impingement, labral tears, instability, and cartilage injuries
– Meniscus, ACL, PCL, complex knee ligament, patellar instability, and cartilage injuries
– Ankle instability, ligament injuries, and osteochondral lesions of the talus
– Sports-related and traumatic injuries
– Operative and nonsurgical fracture care
– Advanced cartilage restoration and joint-preserving treatment

Procedures

Shoulder

– Shoulder arthroscopy
– Rotator cuff repair
– Labral repair
– Shoulder stabilization and reconstruction
– Capsular shift
– Latarjet procedure
– Biceps tendon procedures
– Cartilage restoration
– Shoulder arthroplasty

Elbow

– Elbow arthroscopy
– Ulnar collateral ligament repair and reconstruction
– Distal biceps tendon repair and reconstruction
– Tendon and ligament repair
– Treatment of throwing-related and traumatic elbow injuries

Hip

– Hip arthroscopy
– Labral repair
– Osteoplasty for femoroacetabular impingement
– Treatment of hip instability and cartilage injuries

Knee

– Knee arthroscopy
– Meniscus repair and meniscectomy
– Meniscal transplantation
– ACL reconstruction
– PCL reconstruction
– Multiligament knee reconstruction
– Patellar stabilization surgery
– Cartilage restoration and reconstruction

Ankle

– Ankle arthroscopy
– Ankle ligament repair and reconstruction
– Treatment of chronic ankle instability
– Treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus
– Cartilage restoration procedures

Cartilage Restoration and Joint Preservation

– Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation
– Osteochondral autograft transfer
– Osteochondral allograft transplantation
– Joint-preserving stabilization and reconstruction procedures

Fracture and Trauma Care

– Operative and nonsurgical fracture treatment
– Repair of traumatic tendon and ligament ruptures
– Treatment of fractures and associated injuries affecting active individuals

Interests

Outside the operating room, Dr. Spears is no stranger to endurance challenges—he has run marathons around the world and completed two Ironman triathlons. He enjoys nearly every kind of sport, along with hiking, hunting, and exploring the outdoors with his wife, Laura, and their two dogs, Skylar and Baxter. At home, he applies that same stamina to an ever-evolving honey-do list—an endurance event for which there is apparently no finish line.