If you live in Columbia, there’s a good chance you have encountered Dr. Cason Shirley in the community, played pickleball with him, or maybe you are one of the 2,000 people who have had your knee or hip replaced by him via robotic surgery. What you might not know is that Dr. Shirley just hit a major career milestone using the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery. He recently completed his 2,000th procedure using the Mako SmartRobotics™ system, which makes joint replacement more precise, more personalized, and helps streamline patient recovery. The Mako system works with a pre-operative CT scan of the patient’s affected joint to create an individualized 3D surgical plan.

For Dr. Shirley, who joined the Mid-Tennessee Bone & Joint (now TOA Columbia) in 2013, this isn’t just a number. It’s the result of years of hard work, innovation, and putting patients first. “Reaching this milestone is a testament to the trust our patients place in us, and it speaks to the incredible teamwork that facilitates each surgery,” he said.

A Local Leader in Robotic Surgery               

The cutting-edge technology combines 3D CT-based planning with AccuStop™ haptic technology and allows for enhanced precision in implant positioning and improves bone preservation. These innovations have revolutionized joint replacement surgery by enabling highly personalized surgical plans that can lead to faster recovery times and greater overall patient satisfaction.

The system helps guide Dr. Shirley during surgery to ensure precise cuts and implant placement, while allowing for fine-tuned, intra-operative adjustments tailored to each patient. In short, it helps make joint replacement more accurate, less invasive, and better suited to individual needs. For patients, that often means quicker recovery, less pain, and a faster return to the activities they love.

From Memphis to Maury County

Dr. Shirley is a Tennessee native who grew up in Murfreesboro. He earned his undergraduate degree in biology from Lipscomb University in Nashville. Dr. Shirley completed medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, graduating number one in his class. He then trained at the Campbell Clinic, where he served as chief resident and received world-class training in orthopedic surgery. During Dr. Shirley’s time in Memphis, he also made time to give back by volunteering with Soles for Souls and tutoring kids at the Grizzlies Academy. Dr. Shirley’s heart for his community has followed him throughout his career and continues here in Maury County.

Since moving to Columbia in 2013 with his wife, Randi, and four children, Dr. Shirley has become a familiar face not just at TOA but in the community. He has covered Columbia Academy athletics for the past several years, as all four of his children have been students there. He is also a 2023 graduate of the Leadership Maury program.

Looking Ahead

As he looks toward the future, Dr. Shirley remains focused on what matters most: helping patients live active, pain-free lives. This is what originally drew him to the practice of orthopedic surgery. Whether it’s someone who wants to get back to gardening, hiking, or simply walking without discomfort, he sees each case as an opportunity to make a real difference. If you ever find yourself experiencing hip or knee pain, there’s a good chance someone will say, “You should go see Dr. Shirley.” You will know you are in the hands of a surgeon who is not only surgically experienced but genuinely caring about the people of this community he serves.

Now with 2,000 Mako procedures under his belt, Dr. Shirley is one of the most experienced robotic joint replacement surgeons in the region. “There’s always room to keep learning and improving,” he said. “Technology like Mako gives us new ways to provide better care, and I’m excited to continue to push the boundaries of orthopedic surgery.”

CAROLINE MCBROOM joined the Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance (formerly Mid-Tennessee Bone & Joint Clinic) in 2022. She is the Marketing Manager for TOA at the Columbia location.