4.9 with 1048 ratings

Sees patients age 14 to 75

Speaks English and French

John D. Kelly, IV, MD (He Him His)

Orthopaedic Surgery, Sports Medicine

4.9 with 1048 ratings

Sees patients age 14 to 75

Speaks English and French

Director, Sports Shoulder
Co-Director, Sports Medicine Fellowship
Team Orthopaedic Physician, Philadelphia Union
Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Dr. Kelly is a Penn Medicine physician.

Call 800-789-7366

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Meet Dr. Kelly

Dr. Kelly specializes in the treatment of sports injuries. His clinical interests include holistic orthopaedics and arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder and elbow.

He has won a number of awards and held a number of prestigious positions throughout his career:

Best Doctors in America 2015 - 2024
Philadelphia Magazine's Top Docs 1999, 2002, 2010 - 2024
America's Top Doctors 2017
Main Line Times Top Doctor 2013
Philadelphia Sports Congress Torg Award 2012
America's Most Compassionate Doctors, Patient's Choice 2011

Second Vice President AANA 2023
First Vice Pres AANA 2024
Secretary AANA 2022
President EOA 2019
NATA Honorary Member 2012
Arthroscopy Association North America, Master Shoulder Surgeon
Board of Trustees Journal of Arthroscopy and Related Research
Board of Trustees OREF
Ingram Lecture Campbell Clinic 2024

Achilles Tendon Disorders
Achilles Tendon Injury
Achilles Tendon Surgery
Acromioclavicular Fracture
Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation
Acromioclavicular Joint Separation
Adhesive Capsulitis of the Hip
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury (ACL Injury)
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair (ACL)
Arthroscopic Bankart Repair
Arthroscopic Labral Repair
Arthroscopic Shoulder Decompression
Arthroscopic Shoulder Stabilization
Articular Cartilage Microfracture
Bankart Lesion
Bankart Repair
Bicep Tendon Tear
Biceps Tendon Repair
Bucket Handle Meniscus Tears
Cartilage Injury
Clavicle Fracture Surgery
Clicking Elbow
Clicking Shoulder
Compartment Syndrome
Degenerative Joint Disease of the Elbow
Dislocated Patella
Distal Clavicular Osteolysis
Elbow Biceps Tendon Injury
Elbow Bone Spurs (Osteophyte)
Elbow Contracture Release
Elbow Debridement
Elbow Injuries
Elbow Instability
Elbow MCL Injury (Medial Collateral Ligament Injury)
Exertional Compartment Release
Gastrocnemius Injury
Gluteus Medius Tear
Gluteus Medius Tear Repair
Hip Abductor Tear
Hip Injuries
Hip Labral Tear
Hip Labral Tear Repair
Hip Preservation Surgery
Hip Rotator Cuff Tear
Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)
Knee Effusion
Knee Injuries
Knee Joint Contracture
Knee MCL Injury (Medial Collateral Ligament Injury)
Knee Microfracture Surgery
Knee Posterolateral Corner Injury
Knee Realignment
Knee Sprain
Knee Tendon Repair
Kneecap Dislocation
Labral Tear of Shoulder
Lateral Collateral Ligament Repair (LCL)
Lateral Collateral Ligament Tear (LCL)
Locking Elbow
Locking Knee
Locking Shoulder
Loose Body Elbow
Loose Body in the Hip
Loose Body in the Knee
Loose Body in the Shoulder
Medial Collateral Ligament Repair (MCL Repair)
Meniscal Tear, Age Greater Than 50
Meniscal Tear, Age Less Than 50
Meniscal Transplant Surgery
Meniscal Transplantation
Meniscectomy
Meniscus Tear Surgery
Meniscus Tears
Minimally Invasive Elbow Surgery
Minimally Invasive Shoulder Surgery
Multi-Ligament Knee Injury
Multiple Ligament Reconstruction
Muscle Tears
Osteoarthritis of the Elbow
Osteochondral Defect
Osteochondral Dissecans of the Talus
Osteochondral Lesion of the Ankle
Overuse Injuries of the Ankle
Patella Injury
Patella Realignment
Patellar Clunk Syndrome
Patellar Instability
Patellar Ligament Advancement
Patellar Stabilization
Patellofemoral Arthritis
Patellofemoral Injury
Patellofemoral Instability
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
PCL Injury (Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury)
Pectoral Muscle Injury
Pectoralis Major Rupture Tendon Repair
Pectoralis Major Tendon Injury
Pectoralis Major Tendon Tear
Pectoralis Muscle Tear
Piriformis Syndrome
Posterior Cruciate Ligament Repair (PCL)
Posterior Cruciate Ligament Tear (PCL)
Posterior Tibial Tendon Rupture
Reconstructive Knee Surgery
Revision Rotator Cuff Repair
Rotator Cuff Disorders
Rotator Cuff Impingement
Rotator Cuff Injury
Rotator Cuff Repair
Rotator Cuff Repair with Graft
Rotator Cuff Tear
Rupture of Achilles Tendon
Scapular Fracture
Separated Shoulder
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Shoulder Arthroscopy Revision
Shoulder Biceps Tendon Injury
Shoulder Dislocation
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder Instability
Shoulder Joint Preservation Surgery
Shoulder Labral Tear Repair
Shoulder Replacement
Shoulder Stabilization
Shoulder Surgery
Shoulder Tendonitis
Slap Tear
SLAP Tear Repair (Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior Tear Repair)
Snapping Hip Syndrome
Spinoglenoid Notch Ganglion Cyst
Sports Medicine Injuries
Sports Related Clavicle Injury
Sports Related Elbow Injury
Sports Related Hip Injury
Sports Related Knee Injury
Sports Related Kneecap Injury
Sports Related Scapula Injury
Sports Related Shoulder Injury
Sternoclavicular Joint Dislocation (SC Joint Dislocation)
Strains
Subchondral Bone Cyst
Subcoracoid Impingement
Superior Capsular Reconstruction
Swimmer's Shoulder (Subacromial Impingement)
Synovectomy of Elbow
Synovectomy of Shoulder
Tendon Repair
Tennis Elbow Surgery
Thrower Elbow
Tommy John Surgery (UCL Surgery)
Torn Ligament
Torn Meniscus
Tricep Injury
Triceps Tendon Rupture

Show All Expertise

Programs and Centers

Penn Medicine's programs and centers combine doctors from many disciplines to coordinate care from start to finish. Dr. Kelly is part of these programs:

Board Certification

Orthopaedic Surgery - Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, 2008
Orthopaedic Surgery, 1992

Education and Training

Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Residency: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Fellowship: Temple University Hospital

Primary Location

Penn Sports Medicine Weightman Hall

Weightman Hall, 1st floor
235 South 33rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Map Call 800-789-7366

View details

Penn Orthopaedics Valley Forge

Penn Medicine Valley Forge
1001 Chesterbrook Boulevard
Berwyn, PA 19312

Map Call 215-662-3340

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Penn Orthopaedics Radnor

Penn Medicine Radnor
Floor 3, Suite 305 South
145 King of Prussia Road
Radnor, PA 19087

A facility of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Map Call 610-902-5700

View details

Penn Sports Medicine Radnor

Penn Medicine Radnor
Floor 3, Suite 305 South
145 King of Prussia Road
Radnor, PA 19087

Map Call 800-789-7366

View details

Penn Medicine Hospital Privileges

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania: Has privileges to treat patients in the hospital.
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center: Has privileges to treat patients in the hospital.
Pennsylvania Hospital: Has privileges to treat patients in the hospital.

Overall Ratings

out of 5 ; Ratings;

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related question shown above from our internal platform, PMX Feedback. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score. Scores reflect either the most recent 12 months of surveys or the most recent 30 surveys overall. Data is updated monthly and comments remain on the profile for 12 months.

Comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Penn Medicine.

Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys.

Please contact the practice and/or the member services department of your insurance company for specific details before receiving services. Providers may participate in some, but not all, products offered by a health plan; providers may also accept plans at some practice locations but not others.

Aetna
Amerihealth Caritas (Transplant patients only)
Centivo Health Plan
Cigna
Cigna Medicare
Claim Watcher (Homestead/Index)
Clover Health Plan
Geisinger Health Plan
Geisinger Medicaid
Global Medical Management
HealthAmerica / HealthAssurance, a Coventry Plan
HealthPartners
HealthSmart
Highmark Blue Shield
Highmark Blue Shield Medicare
Highmark Wholecare
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
Humana / Medicare
Imagine Health 360

Independence Blue Cross (Keystone East)
Jefferson Health Plans (fka Health Partners Plans)
Keystone First
Keystone First Medicare
NJ Medicaid
NJ Qualcare
Oscar Health Plan of PA
Oxford Health Plan
PA Health and Wellness (Centene) Medicare
PA Medicaid
PA Medicare
Provider Partners Health Plan
Rail Road Medicare / Palmetto GBA
Tricare
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan PA
UPMC Health Plan
US Family Health Plan
Veterans Choice Program

Description of Research Expertise

Disorders of the Shoulder
Arthroscopic Surgery
Disorders of the Knee
Arthritis Prevention
Injuries to Throwers
Holistic Orthopedics
Diabetes and Soft Tissue Manifestations
Oxidative Stress and Aging

Selected Publications

Locke A, Kelly JD, Parisien R.: The Variability of MCID, SCB, and PASS Thresholds for PROMs in the Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Literature: A Systematic Review   JSES : 2025 .

Kelly, John D: Your Best Life: Facing Life Head On CORR : 2025.

Megafu M, Guerro O, Yendluri A, Parsons BO, Galatz LM, Li X, Kelly JD, Parisien RL.: ChatGPT and Gemini Are Not Consistently Concordant with the 2020 AAOS Clinical Practice Guidelines When Evaluating Rotator Cuff Injury Arthroscopy : 2025.

Silvestre J, Kelly JD 4th, Slone HS: Workforce Diversity in Sports Medicine: Analysis of Recent Trends Relative to the US Population. Curr Sports Med Rep. : 2025.

Silvestre J, Slone HS, Kelly JD 4th.: Establishing Benchmarks for Case Minimum Requirements During Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-Accredited Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship Training AJSM : 2025.

Kelly, JD 4th: Your Best Life: Be a River With Your Blessings, Not a Reservoir Clinical Orthopedics and Related Research : 2025.

Silvestre J, Slone HS, Kelly JD IV: Analysis of supply and demand for sports medicine fellowship training: PM&R. : 2025.

Locke AR, Koehne NH, Ramey MD, Oxner JL, Yendluri A, Megafu MN, Corvi JJ, Namiri NK, Kelly JD, Parisien RL: The Statistical Fragility of Treatments for Adhesive Capsulitis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials Journal Shoulder Elbow Surgery : 2025.

Malige A, Ciccotti M, Kelly J, Kibler B, Lee T: The Impact of Posterior and Posterior Superior (PPS) Labral Injuries and The Effect of Their Treatment on Glenohumeral Kinematics in the Deceleration and Follow-Through Phase of Throwing: A Biomechanical Study ASES : 2025.

Yendluri A, Alexanian A, Lee AC, Chari RR, Megafu MN, Galatz LM, Levine WN, Parsons BO, Kelly JD IV, Parisien RL: A Novel Methodology for Establishing MCID and SCB Thresholds for Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Following Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty. JSES : 2025.

Academic Contact Information

University of Pennsylvania Dept. of Orthopedic Surgery
34th and Spruce St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 215-615-4400
Patient appointments: 800-789-7366

AAOS, National
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, National
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons, National
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, National
American Orthopaedic Society, National
American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, National
AOA, National
Arthroscopy Association of North America, International
Catholic Medical Society, National
Eastern Orthopaedic Association, National
Jewish Catholic Relationship Council, Local
Penn Athletic Trainers, Local
Philadelphia County Medical Society, Local
Philadelphia Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Local
Philadelphia Orthopaedic Society, Local