David L. Bernholt, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained sports medicine orthopedic surgeon specializing in arthroscopic and complex knee surgery. He has notable expertise in ACL reconstruction, multi-ligament knee injuries, osteotomies, patellar instability, meniscus repair, and cartilage restoration. Dr. Bernholt is also an Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Cincinnati. He comes to Cincinnati from Memphis, TN, where he had served as the Division Chief of Sports Medicine and Sports Medicine Fellowship Director at Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics / University of Tennessee.
Originally from Ohio, Dr. Bernholt graduated from Versailles High School before earning his Bachelor of Science in biology, summa cum laude, from Case Western Reserve University. He completed his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, followed by an orthopaedic surgery residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University in St. Louis. He then pursued fellowship training in sports medicine and shoulder surgery at The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado before beginning his orthopedic career at the Campbell Clinic in 2019.
Throughout his career, Dr. Bernholt has worked with athletes across all levels, having served as a team physician for numerous organizations including the Memphis Grizzlies, University of Memphis Athletics, Memphis Redbirds, Memphis Showboats, and numerous high schools in the Memphis metropolitan area. He also serves as a physician for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team and is in the USA Wrestling Medical Pool.
An active clinician-scientist, Dr. Bernholt is committed to evidence-based care and advancing the field of orthopedic sports medicine through research. Dr. Bernholt has published extensively in the areas of knee biomechanics, ligament reconstruction, and meniscal injury. His research has earned prestigious accolades, including the AOSSM Cabaud Memorial Award and the ASES Charles S. Neer Award. He serves as a journal reviewer for several leading orthopedic journals and was the Sports Medicine Section Editor for Campbell’s Operative Orthopaedics 15th Edition. In addition to research, he is involved on a national level with multiple orthopedic organizations, serving in leadership positions or on committees for the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the Arthroscopy Association of North America.
Outside of orthopaedics, Dr. Bernholt enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife enjoy skiing and hiking. A former NCAA Division III wrestler, he has remained actively involved in the youth and high school wrestling community as well.
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