Ryan P. Donegan, MD, MS
Ryan P. Donegan, MD, MS
Shoulder and Elbow Specialist
Patient Ratings
4.9 Star review based on 587 patient ratings
Meet Dr. Donegan
Elbow, Shoulder & Joint Replacement Specialist
Helping patients find relief from elbow and shoulder pain.
For Dr. Ryan P. Donegan, the most rewarding part of being an elbow and shoulder specialist is helping patients get back to what moves them — from the high school athlete with dreams of playing in college to grandparents simply wanting to play with their grandkids, pain-free. Patients describe him as a clear communicator with a thoughtful bedside manner and a patient-first approach that emphasizes collaboration, education, and individualized care.
His Approach To Care
Dr. Donegan believes that the best outcomes come from empowering patients to be active participants in their care through education, open communication, and shared decision-making. Whenever possible, he recommends non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, injections, reduced activity and bracing. When surgery is necessary, Dr. Donegan offers advanced techniques such as arthroscopy, minimally invasive total shoulder and reverse total shoulder replacement. Dr. Donegan performs most surgeries at Bluegrass Specialty Surgery Center, combining compassionate, concierge-style care with the latest infection-prevention technology to provide patients with the safest and most effective recovery possible. Whether guiding a patient through non-operative care or complex revision shoulder surgery, he is committed to delivering the highest standard of care with empathy and precision.
Conditions He Treats
Dr. Donegan specializes in diagnosing the root cause of these concerns and creating personalized treatment plans to help patients feel better and get back to daily life.
Many of Dr. Donegan’s patients come to him with symptoms like:
- Pain that radiates down the arm
- Difficulty and pain lifting or lowering the arm
- Difficulty and pain when fully extending the arm
- Tingling sensation
- A clicking or popping sound when you move your elbow or shoulder
- Ongoing pain from a sports related problem
- Bone-on-bone sensation
- Pain that worsens with overhead motions
- Radiating pain from the inner or outer part of the elbow to the wrist
Many of Dr. Donegan’s patients that experience these symptoms often suffer from common elbow and shoulder problems/injuries like:
- Arthritis of the elbow or shoulder
- Bursitis
- Rotator Cuff Tear
- Dislocation
- Fracture
- Frozen Shoulder
- Labral Tear
- Osteoarthritis
- Tennis Elbow
- Golfers Elbow
- Tendonitis
Education & Expertise
Dr. Donegan earned his undergraduate degrees in Biology and Anthropology from Emory University, where he was a First Team All-American and Academic All-American in baseball. He completed his medical degree at the University of Kentucky and residency training at Dartmouth University. To further specialize, he pursued fellowship training in shoulder and elbow surgery at Washington University in St. Louis. Washington University’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery is recognized nationally for academic excellence and focus on research.
He is board-certified in orthopedics and is a proud member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES). He is actively involved in the innovation of preoperative planning software for shoulder arthroplasty and serves as a consultant and clinical instructor for Arthrex and Stryker, helping to advance surgical techniques and technologies in shoulder care. He is committed to ongoing research and education in his field with many publications. This advanced training allows him to provide patients with care that is guided by the latest medical research and surgical innovations.
Beyond The Operating Room
Outside of his practice, Dr. Donegan enjoys spending time with his family, coaching his son’s baseball teams, running, and playing golf. His background as a high-level athlete gives him a unique connection with young athletes navigating injury and recovery, and he is passionate about helping them safely return to the sports they love.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If you’re struggling with elbow or shoulder pain, it’s important to get seen sooner rather than later to avoid further pain or the need for surgery. Dr. Donegan is here to help you find answers and get you back to what moves you - whether it’s sports or playing with your grandchildren.
To discuss your options, schedule an appointment with Dr. Donegan and his team by calling (859) 263-5140. For emergent needs, we offer same day appointments and walk-in visits at any of our BGONow Orthopedic Urgent care locations throughout Kentucky.