Meet Thad Dean

Dr. Thad Dean is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at AOA Orthopedic Specialists, specializing in adult reconstruction and robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement. He has advanced expertise in primary and complex joint replacement as well as hip and knee revision procedures, and he is a recognized leader in robotic technology including Mako SmartRobotics™ and ROSA Knee systems. Dr. Dean also provides specialized care in orthopedic oncology for bone and soft tissue tumors.

With more than a decade of experience, Dr. Dean has earned a reputation for surgical precision, compassionate care, and clinical leadership. He has served as Chair of Orthopedic Surgery at Medical City Fort Worth and is an active member of the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital in Arlington, where he also chairs the Infectious Disease Committee. He previously held leadership roles including Orthopedic Section President at Mansfield Methodist Medical Center and Residency Faculty Appointments for University of North Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and Acclaim Bone and Joint Institute.

Dr. Dean earned his undergraduate degree in zoology from Northwest Missouri State University and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Grandview Medical Center in Ohio, followed by an advanced fellowship in musculoskeletal oncology and adult reconstruction at Emory University in Atlanta.

An advocate for surgical education, Dr. Dean holds academic appointments with the University of North Texas Health Science Center and John Peter Smith Hospital and trains surgeons nationwide in robotic joint (Zimmer/Biomet) replacement techniques. He joined AOA Orthopedic Specialists to deliver forward-thinking, evidence-based care with a strong focus on improving patient outcomes through minimally invasive technology.

Dr. Dean is widely recognized for his commitment to excellence in orthopedics, consistently earning honors such as Fort Worth Magazine’s Top Doctors, 360 West Magazine’s Top Docs, and Living Magazine’s Top Doctors.

Outside the operating room, Dr. Dean is deeply involved in his community and church, and enjoys watching the Chiefs, Royals and Rangers, Preparing BBQ in the smoker, scuba diving, traveling, and spending time with his wife and their two children. He is a member of St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Mansfield.