When Lester Littell III took a bride, the pastor jokingly reminded him that he would fall in line behind dogs and horses.

Littell responded that he was just proud to be in the top three.

Running dogs and riding horses are passions for Lester and Ruth Ann Littell, so when he had an opportunity to bring his orthopedic practice to Troy and Pike County – the land of milk and honey – he didn’t hesitate and his wife was “right behind him.”

“We are so excited to be in Troy,” Lester Littell said. “We are excited about the opportunity to practice here at Troy Regional Medical Center and in the Pike County area and are looking forward to being a part of the continuing growth of the hospital, Troy University and the Troy community.”

Ruth Ann Littell echoed her husband’s excitement about being in Troy and expounded on their love of dogs and horses.

“We are looking forward to being a part of a city with a university,” she said. “Troy is closer to family and, too, we do enjoy running dogs and go often to the field trials in Union Springs. We are looking forward to being a part of the field trials here in Pike County.”

Pike County is rural enough that the Littells can ride the range in their leisure time.”

But as much as they enjoy “running and riding,” people come first in both their lives.

And Lister Littell has been taking care of people orthopedically for what seems like, most of his life.

His dad was a physician as were three of his uncles. So, he grew up in Tennessee in the world of medicine and then became a part of it.

Littell is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Memphis and completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga.

His work history includes the Department of Orthopedic Surgery UT-Chattanooga, UAB Selma Family Medicine, South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, Foley, and most recently private practice in Selma. Littell is board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.

Littell opened his Troy practice on Monday, May 3 at the Physicians Office Building. Office hours will be 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments may be made by calling 670-5448.

In addition to his general orthopedic practice, Littell will work closely with the Department of Sports Medicine at Troy University and be on call at the Troy Regional Medical Center emergency room.

“I’m looking forward to working with Dr. Dugas (Troy University team orthopedic physician). People will see me on the sidelines at Troy University football games and also on the sidelines of high school games,” Littell said. “I am also looking forward to working with the high school athletic programs and getting to know the coaches and athletic directors.”

Littell brings with him expertise in the anterior approach to total hip arthroplasty. In fact, he was the first orthopedic surgeon east of the Mississippi to perform this type of specialized procedure.

“This approach has been used in Europe since 1947 but, in 2005 only 26 surgeons here in the United States were using it,” he said. “Today, there are 500 orthopedic surgeons trained to do it.”

Littell said the anterior approach requires only a four-inch incision and doesn’t tear muscles or tendons and has a shorter recovery time than the posterior approach.

Troy Regional Medical Center has a state-of-the-art MRI that produces sharp images and has also purchased a Hana table, which will position patients for the anterior approach hip surgery, Littell said.

Jennifer Ventress, chief nursing officer, said Troy Regional Medical Center welcomes Littell who shares the vision for the hospital.

“Dr. Littell comes to us highly qualified and brings with him experience and expertise in a highly specialized orthopedic procedure,” she said. “He has new and innovative ideas that will help us continue to grow and to move the hospital forward. We are excited to have him and Ruth Ann as part of our medical community and our community as a whole.”