Dr. Thomas P. Vail

I grew up in Durham and I am extremely proud to work here at Duke. All of my family members still call the Bull City home. Most of my education was completed in Durham, except for four years I spent down the road in Chapel Hill. I played football there and developed an interest in orthopaedic surgery that led me home. I specialize in hip and knee replacement and am very fortunate to do so. We have the ability to help so many people with these operations. It is extremely rewarding to help someone get back to doing the things they want to do with their life. Duke is the kind of place where you are challenged by the most difficult cases weekly and I appreciate that fact. We have great doctors in every field and we work as a team on every aspect of a patient's care once they enter the hospital. Dr. Bolognesi is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Acute Pain. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Acute Pain, Arthritis, Knee Replacement, and Hip 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, Hypermobile Joints, Tendinitis, Tenotomy, and Osteotomy.

I am the head of shoulder surgery at Duke. Connecting with and caring for patients is very rewarding and is the reason I went into medicine. I take pride in providing both operative and non-operative treatments based not only on the latest research and evidence but also on the unique individual needs and expectations of each patient. Being a tertiary level surgeon means that I frequently manage patients sent to me by other surgeons. “The needs of the patient come first” and “first do no harm” are two phrases that guide me during every patient interaction. This ensures that each patient receives the same care as I would provide a family member of mine. I am supported by an excellent team that all share the same mission of outstanding patient care. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, reading, and staying active. Dr. Anakwenze is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Acute Pain. His top areas of expertise are Hypermobile Joints, Tendinitis, Acute Pain, Osteotomy, and Endoscopy.