Dr. Robert A. Collins

Thomas Vail is an Orthopedics provider in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Vail is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Acute Pain. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Acute Pain, Kienbock's Disease, Hip Replacement, and Knee Replacement.

I am an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in upper extremity conditions. My focus is on treating orthopaedic issues related to the shoulder and elbow, including arthritis, rotator cuff injuries, labral tears, frozen shoulder, sports injuries, fractures, tendon injuries, and cubital tunnel syndrome. I offer both conservative and surgical treatment options, collaborating with each patient to determine the best plan of care based on their individual goals. My expertise includes various shoulder surgeries such as reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, anatomic shoulder arthroplasty, and shoulder hemiarthroplasty, as well as procedures like rotator cuff repair, shoulder labral reconstruction, and shoulder arthroscopy. Additionally, I address upper extremity fractures, including those of the shoulder, clavicle, humeral shaft, and elbow. My personal experience with injuries has shaped my approach, allowing me to empathize with patients and treat them with compassion and respect. I am actively involved in research, with a specific focus on the shoulder. The collaborative research environment at Duke Health is unparalleled, and I find great satisfaction in helping patients regain their desired level of activity. Dr. Klifto is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Acute Pain. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Tendinitis, Hypermobile Joints, Osteotomy, and Endoscopy.

I have more than 25 years of experience treating patients of all ages with spinal disorders. I have had an interest in the management of spinal disorders since starting my medical education. I performed residencies in both orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery to gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire range of spinal disorders. My goal has been to find innovative ways to manage the range of spinal conditions, straightforward to complex. I have a focus on managing patients with complex spinal disorders. My patient evaluation and management philosophy is to provide engaged, compassionate care that focuses on providing the simplest and least aggressive treatment option for a particular condition. In many cases, non-operative treatment options exist to improve a patient’s symptoms. I have been actively engaged in clinical research to find the best ways to manage spinal disorders in order to achieve better results with fewer complications. Dr. Shaffrey is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Acute Pain. His top areas of expertise are Scoliosis, Kyphosis, Lordosis, Osteotomy, and Spinal Fusion.