DOUG VERMILLION, MD | ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON
907.644.6055
DOUG VERMILLION, MD | ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON
Meet Dr. Vermillion
Dr. Vermillion is board certified in Orthopedic Surgery and has completed fellowship training in Adult Reconstructive Surgery/Foot and Ankle Surgery. He also has a strong background in Sports Medicine and this interest has led him to become an experienced cartilage restoration surgeon.
Dr. Vermillion served in the military for over 21 years after graduating from West Point. Prior to going to medical school he served as an infantryman and was selected to be on the United States Modern Pentathlon Team. He was an elite athlete and runner for many years. He knows what it is like to have injuries and always seeks to get patients back to their highest functional level possible.
Philosophy
Doug Vermillion, MD, is a doctor specializing in orthopedics, practicing in Anchorage, Alaska. As an orthopedic surgeon, he focuses on injuries and diseases of your body's musculoskeletal system, including your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves that allow you to move, work, and be active. Dr. Vermillion is a member of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, which indicates board- certificiation in this specialty. Dr. Vermillion earned a Fellowship at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, completed Residency at Brooke Army Medical Center, and attended Medical School at University of Utah.
Education
Undergraduate
United States Military Academy at West Point, New York
United States Army; Served in the Infantry for 6 years as a Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and a Scout Platoon Leader. He was selected for the United States Modern Pentathlon Team and competed on a national and international level.
Medical School
University of Utah School of Medicine
Salt Lake City UT
Internship
San Antonio Uniformed Service Health Education Consortium (Brooke Army Medical Center)
San Antonio Texas
Orthopedic Residency
San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (Brooke Army Medical Center)
Medical Practice
National training center Orthopedic physician at Fort Irwin California
Staff Orthopedics, Fort Belvoir Virginia
Fellowship
Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic,
Los Angeles California
Affiliations
Member, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Alaska Regional Hospital Anchorage, AK
Providence Alaska Medical Center Anchorage, AK
Creekside Surgery Center, Anchorage AK
Alaska Surgery Center, Anchorage AK
Accomplishments
Served in the military for a 21 year career including Airborne, Ranger, Infantry Training and was selected to promotion to Colonel prior to retirement.
Cartilage Restoration; co author for FDA approval Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation study
Platelet Rich Plasma; co author for PRP tennis elbow study
Swiftpath Surgeon for 3 years
About SwiftPath
An Educated Patient: A Safer Patient
You, as the patient, have an active involvement in your joint replacement, which proves to be one of the most powerful predictors of success. Dr. Vermillion has adopted the SwiftPath Method to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed for the best possible result. These include an integrated Patient Guide and JointCamp family engagement, identifying and managing health risk factors, modern pain management, homecare and online reporting.
Optimize Health Before Surgery
Patient optimization focuses on improving your health before surgery. Dr. Vermillion will help you identify and manage patient related risks for better results and to reduce complications.
A Personal Road Map to a Safe Surgery
Dr. Vermillion provides you with a SwiftPath Patient Guide that he has authored. It includes standardized protocol, evidence-based medicine and his specific therapies. It serves as a comprehensive surgical road map to help you and your caregiver learn and understand your active roles in the joint replacement journey.
State-of-the-Art Patient Education
You and your caregiver attend a JointCamp, focusing on the importance of patient engagement and family support. It teaches the key elements that help decrease pain, improve rehabilitation, reduce length of stay and enhance recovery following surgery.
Less Pain and Decreased Narcotics
Dr. Vermillion is committed to the reduction of narcotics in our communties. The SwiftPath Method used a systematic approach of modern pain management that has been vetted in Surgeon RoundTables and proven with outcomes. Minimizing the amount of narcotic pain medications will help avoid complications like nausea and constipation, as well as overuse of narcotics. This approach includes joint injection, anti-inflammatories, Tylenol and cryotherapy.
Shared Decision Making
The SwiftPath Method includes a shared decision-making process between Dr. Vermillion, you and your caregiver on the best pathway. He will confirm the need for a joint replacement and determine if you are a candidate for outpatient surgery, 23 hour stay, or reduced hospital stay.
Minimally Invasive Techniques & Rapid Recovery
Dr. Vermillion is trained in minimally invasive techniques that result in less blood loss, less pain, shorter stays, the possibility of rehabilitation in your own home and faster patient recovery.
Cloud-Based Patient Reported Outcomes
The SwiftPath Method uses a post-surgery protocol for homecare to minimize post-surgery issues. It combines modern pain management with a secure, on-line or reporting results to Dr. Vermillion can closely monitor your pain levels and recovery.
Patient Testimonials
"Dr Vermillion came highly recommended by two of my coworkers. He and his staff are friendly and professional. The outcome of the surgeries on both my coworkers and myself were excellent. I like his attitude and treatment options, both he and his staff take time with you as a patient. He has my trust." Richard H.
"Very skilled, knows his stuff. Got me back to 100 percent on my knees. Now I can enjoy life again. Knee pain gone." Agent K
"SwiftPath is a revolutionary new method that combines patient education, cutting edge surgical techniques, and the latest research in communication and surgical recovery.”
Dr. Doug Vermillion
No results were found
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What is outpatient joint replacement?
Historically, all joint replacements were done as inpatients. This is largely because joint replacement surgery has involved large incisions, significant blood loss, significant pain management issues, and a wide variety of complications. For that reason, it's always been felt that joint replacement patients needed to be in the hospital. Now, with minimally invasive surgical techniques, sophisticated periarticular injections, multimodal pain management, and computer navigation, many patients are simply able to go home on the day of surgery and may not require hospitalization. This carries significant advantages in terms of decreased pain, decreased complication risks, improved patient satisfaction, and decreased exposure to the potential for hospital-acquired complications and infections.
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Is SwiftPath a nationwide program or just a local program?
SwiftPath is a national program that is continually expanding. For specific locations, refer to the surgeon locator map on the SwiftPath website.
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How does SwiftPath help me recover at home?
SwiftPath protocols have been shown to decrease the time in the hospital as well as the pain after surgery, which helps with home recovery. SwiftPath surgeons also use online cloud monitoring techniques to follow your care at home after the surgery.
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Why is it important to obtain a preoperative clearance from my family doctor?
Preoperative clearance is very important. There is no one that knows you better than the doctor who has been taking care of you. We want to make sure your lungs, heart and kidneys are all working as best as they can be before surgery.
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Will I need a ride home after my surgery?
Yes, you are still under the influence of an anesthetic and pain medication. You will need a ride home from the surgery center or hospital.
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When can I shower?
Follow the shower instructions in your surgeon authored Patient Guide.
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What other equipment will I need at home?
Please refer to your Patient Guide to see what specific equipment your surgeon considers required, recommended or optional.
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When is my leg “elevated”?
In order to be elevated your knee needs to be above the level of your heart. If you are sitting on a recliner or chair, your foot will most likely need to be around the level of your shoulders. Lying flat makes it much easier to get your knee above your heart.
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What are the signs of blood clots?
Blood clots do occasionally occur after hip and knee surgery. The signs of a blood clot are swelling in your legs that is worsening and will not go down with ice or elevation. A blood clot can also cause marked tenderness and pain in the calf (remote in the surgical site). While some lower leg pain and swelling may be expected following a joint replacement, please call my office if you have any concerns.
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Will I set the alarm off in the airport?
Hip and knee replacements are made primarily of metal alloys. You can expect to trigger most airport alarms. If possible, inform the TSA agent of your joint replacement prior to passing through security. TSA no longer accepts "joint replacement cards." You should expect to undergo additional screening at airports and should budget your time accordingly.
Contact Us
OFFICE LOCATIONS
- 2741 Debarr Road, Suite C214 Anchorage, Alaska 99508
OFFICE HOURS
Monday – Friday:
8am – 5:00pm
Weekends: Closed
PHONE NUMBER
907.644.6055