Thomas Parker Vail MD | Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Professor and Chairman
Specialty: Arthritis and Joint Replacement Clinic

Mission Bay Ortho Institute:
(415) 353-2808 / (415) 885-9643
1500 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158

Biography

Dr. Thomas Vail is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. After graduating from the Duke University School of Engineering cum laude with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, he earned his medical degree at the Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University, Chicago. He completed his internship in General and Thoracic surgery and residency in Orthopaedic surgery at Duke University Medical Center, and then went on to complete a fellowship in Adult Reconstructive Surgery.

Dr. Vailﾒs research interests include hip and knee joint biomechanics, biomaterials, articular cartilage injury and repair, and clinical outcomes after joint replacement. His clinical interests include conservative joint reconstruction options for younger patients, hip and knee joint replacement, hip resurfacing, less invasive approaches, management of bone loss, and treatment of avascular necrosis.

Career

2007 - present, Professor and Chair, University of California San Francisco, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
2005 - 2007, Professor of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
2002 - 2007, Associate Professor of Surgery (with tenure), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
2000 - 2007, Medical Director, Musculoskeletal Clinical Service Unit, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC
1998 - 2007, Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center
1998 - 2007, Medical Director, Orthopaedic Private Diagnostic Clinic, ???Location???
1998 - 2007, Director of Adult Reconstructive Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
1997 - 2007, Graduate Faculty, Trinity School of Arts and Sciences, Durham, NC
1995 - 2007, Fellowship Director in Adult Reconstructive Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
1992 - 2007, Consultant in Orthopaedic Surgery, Durham VA Hospital, Durham, NC
1992 - 1998, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery , Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC

Education

1981, B.S., Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, School of Engineering
1985, M.D., Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, Illinois
1986, Intern, General and Thoracic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
1987, Junior Assistant Resident, General and Thoracic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
1991, Orthopaedic Surgery Resident, Duke University Medical Center, NC
1992, Fellow in Hip and Knee Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC

Research

Some of Dr Vails research interests include hip and knee joint biomechanics, biomaterials, femoral strain patterns after hip resurfacing, reconstruction and repair of articular cartilage, and clinical outcomes after joint replacement. His clinical interests include conservative joint reconstruction options for younger patients, hip and knee joint replacement, hip resurfacing, less invasive approaches, management of bone loss, and treatment of avascular necrosis.

Publications

Isaac GH, Siebel T, Schmalzried TP, Cobb AG, O'Sullivan T, Oakeshott RD, Flett M, Vail TP. Development rationale for an articular surface replacement: a science based evolution. Proc Inst Mech Eng [H]. 2006 Feb;220(2):253-68.
Indelli PF, Grant SA, Nielsen KC, Vail TP. Regional anaesthesia in hip surgery. Clin Orthop 2005;441:240-455.
Chang J, Kauf TL, Mahajan S, Jordan JM, Kraus VB, Vail TP, et al. Impact of disease severity and gastrointestinal side effects on the health state preferences of patients with osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:2366-2375.
Magnussen RA. Guilak F. Vail TP. Articular cartilage degeneration in post-collapse osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Radiographic staging, macroscopic grading, and histologic changes. Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery - American Volume. 87(6):1272-7, 2005 Jun.
Kraus VB. Vail TP. Worrell T. McDaniel G. A comparative assessment of alignment angle of the knee by radiographic and physical examination methods. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 52(6):1730-5, 2005 Jun.
McNulty, AL, TP Vail, and VB Kraus. 2005. Chondrocyte transport and concentration of ascorbic acid is mediated by SVCT2. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1712 (2005): 212-221.
Magnussen R, Guilak F, Vail TP. Cartilage degeneration in post-collapse cases of osteonecrosis of the femoral head: Altered mechanical properties in tension, compression, and shear. J Orth Res 2005;23:576-583.
Attarian DE, Vail TP. Medicolegal aspects of hip and knee arthroplasty. Clin Orthop 2005;433: 72-76.
Bolognesi M, Clifford P, Pietrobon R, Vail TP. A comparison of results using a hydroxylapatite coated sleeve and a porous coated sleeve with the SROMTM revision hip stem: a randomized, prospective study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2004;86:2720-5.
Vail TP. Minimal Incision hip arthroplasty - the posterior mini-incision. Surgical Procedures in Primary and Revision arthroplasty. Seminars in Arthroplasty 2004;15(2):83-86.
Vail TP. Minimally invasive knee arthroplasty. Clin Orthop 2004;428:51-52.
Shah AN, Vail TP, Taylor D, Pietrobon R. Sick patients cost more: Quantification of health status and implications for reimbursement in hip arthroplasty. J Arth 2004 ;19(6):700-705.
Trickey WR, Vail TP, Guilak F. The role of the cytoskeleton in the viscoelastic properties of the human articular chondrocyte. J Orth Res 2004;22:131-139.
Vail TP, Goetz D, Tanzer M, Fisher DA, Mohler CG, Callaghan JJ. A prospective randomized trial of cemented femoral components with polished versus grit-blasted surface finish and identical stem geometry. J Arthroplasty 2003;18-7 Suppl 1:95-102.
Hervey SL, Purves HR, Guller U, Toth AP, Vail TP, Pietrobon R. Related Provider Volume of Total Knee Arthroplasties and Patient Outcomes in the HCUP-Nationwide Inpatient Sample. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003 Sep;85-A(9):1775-83.
Wickham, M.Q., Erickson, G.R., Gimble, J.M., Vail, T.P., and Guilak, F. Multipotent stromal cells derived from the infrapatellar fat pad of the knee. Clin Orthop 2003;412:196-212.
Alexopoulos LG, Haider MA, Vail TP, and Guilak F. Alterations In The Mechanical Properties Of The Human Chondrocyte Pericellular Matrix With Osteoarthritis. J Biomed Engineering 2003 June;125:323-333.
Berend K, Gunneson E, Urbaniak JR, Vail TP. Total hip arthroplasty following failed free-vascularized fibular grafting for osteonecrosis: 5-15 year followup. J Arthroplasty 2003

Book Chapters:

Vail TP. The Posterior MIS approach for THA. Springer-Verlag. In press.
Vail TP. Knee replacement. In: EBM Solutions Guidelines for Health Care Providers and Consumers [online database]. Issue 5. Nashville, Tenn: EBM Solutions, Inc; August 2004.
Vail TP. The posterior approach in MIS hip surgery. Techniques in Total hip arthroplasty. AAOS publications. In press.
Vail TP. Proximally porous coated modular stems. In: Revision Hip and Knee Arthroplasty. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. In press.
Lang J, Vail TP. Surgical techniques and instrumentation in total knee arthroplasty. In: The Knee. 3rd Edition. In press.
Vail TP. Knee replacement. In: EBM Solutions Guidelines for Health Care Providers and Consumers [online database]. Issue 4. Nashville, Tenn: EBM Solutions, Inc; May, 2003.
Vail TP. Complex Primary Acetabular Reconstruction. In: The Adult Hip, 2nd Edition. Lippincott-Raven Publishers. In press.
Vail TP. Surface Replacement. In: Advanced Reconstruction: Hip. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. In press.
Vail TP, Richardson CG. Total Joint Replacement. In: Rheumatoid Arthritis. Ed. Haynes, Pisetsky, St. Clair. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. In press.
Vail TP, Berend KR. Hip Arthroscopy in Adolesence and Childhood. In: Hip Arthroscopy. Churchill-Livingston. In press.
Vail T. Total Knee Replacement. In: EBM Solutions Guidelines for Health Care Providers and Consumers [online database]. Issue 3. Nashville, Tenn: EBM Solutions; Update 2: December 21, 2001.
Mallon WJ, Vail TP. Sport After Total Joint Arthroplasty. Sports Medicine For Specific Ages And Abilities. Maffulli et al Editors. Churchill-Livingston Publisher. 2001.
Vail T. Total Knee Replacement. In: EBM Solutions Guidelines for Health Care Providers and Consumers [online database]. Issue 3. Nashville, Tenn: EBM Solutions; Update 1: April 2001.
Vail TP, Kelly I. ﾓPatellofemoral Resurfacing: Routine Resurfacing and Clinical Results.ﾔ The Arthritic Knee on CD-ROM. American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Rosenberg, Mabrey, Woolson, and Cole, Editors. July 2000.
Vail TP. Knee Replacement. In: EBM Solutions Guidelines for Health Care Providers and Consumers [online database]. Issue 1. Nashville, Tenn: EBM Solutions; 2000.
Vail TP, Covington DB. Injuries to the Hip. In: Principles And Practice Of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. Garrett, Speer, and Kirkendall, Editors. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Publisher.
Vail TP. The Incidence of Osteonecrosis. In The Etiology, Diagnosis, & Management Of Osteonecrosis Of The Human Skeleton. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, publisher.
Vail TP, McCollum DE. Complex Primary Acetabular Reconstruction. In: The Adult Hip. Lippincott-Raven Publishers.
Vail TP, McCollum DE. Fractures of the Pelvis, Femur, and Knee. In: Textbook Of Surgery: The Biological Basis Of Modern Surgical Practice, 15th edition. W. B. Saunders and Company, publisher.
Vail TP, McCollum DE. Fractures of the Pelvis, Femur, and Knee. In: Pocket Companion For The Textbook Of Surgery, 15th edition. W. B. Saunders and Company, publisher.

Presentations

Vail TP. Clinical review of metal on metal technology. Intelligent hip surgery course. Bangkok, Thailand. May 19, 2006.
Vail TP. Clinical experience with surface replacement. Intelligent hip surgery course. Bangkok, Thailand. May 19, 2006.
Vail TP. Avascular necrosis - the disease. Intelligent hip surgery course. Bangkok, Thailand. May 19, 2006.
Vail TP. DVD demonstration: mini-posterior THA - a short oblique incision. AAOS Orthopaedic Learning Center Course #3007. Rosemont, IL. May 6, 2006.
Vail TP. Complications and results in MIS THA. New technology in joint arthroplasty. AAOS Course. Ponte Vedra, Fl. April 23, 2006.
Vail TP. Technique for mini-posterior THA. New technology in joint arthroplasty. AAOS Course. Ponte Vedra, Fl. April 23, 2006.
Vail TP. Burning issues in revision total knee replacement - managing bone loss. The Knee Society. Chicago, Il. March 25, 2006.
Lang J, Guevara C, Pietrobon R, Vail TP. Outcome of total knee arthroplasty after complication of stiffness in a contralateral total knee arthroplasty. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Chicago, Il. March 23, 2006.
Vail, TP. Chairman and moderator. 2nd Annual Total Joint Arthroplasty Young Investigators conference. March 21, 2006. Chicago, Il. Sponsor Sanofi-Aventis.
Vail TP. Chairman and Moderator. Innovations in total joint replacement. Miami, FL. February 24, 2006.
Vail TP. Posterior stabilized TKA - the gold standard. Innovations in total joint replacement. Miami, FL. February 24, 2006.
Vail TP. Cementless TKA - what works and what doesn't. Innovations in total joint replacement. Miami, FL. February 24, 2006.
Vail TP. Peripheral nerve blocks ﾖ benefits and complications. Transforming Orthopaedic Conference. Vail, Colorado. February 9, 2006. Vail TP.
Vail, TP. Arthroscopic treatment of hip pathology. Transforming Orthopaedic Conference. Vail, Colorado. February 11, 2006. Vail TP.
Vail, TP. Articular surface replacement and extra-large femoral heads. Transforming Orthopaedic Conference. Vail, Colorado. February 11, 2006.
Vail TP. History and Success of Hip Resurfacing. Intelligent Hip Surgery Course. Brussels. February 3, 2006.
Vail TP. Clinical review of metal on metal articulations. Intelligent Hip Surgery Course. Brussels. February 3, 2006.
Vail TP. Intelligent surgery. Intelligent Hip Surgery Course. Brussels. February 3, 2006.
Vail TP. Minimal posterior hip incisions - the current state of affairs. Association of Arthritic Hip and Knee Surgeons. Dallas, Texas. November 5, 2005.
Vail TP. Hip resurfacing update. Ontario Orthopaedic Association. Toronto, Canada. November 4, 2005.
Vail TP. Regional anaesthesia for major lower extremity reconstruction. Ontario Orthopaedic Association. Toronto, Canada. November 4, 2005
Vail TP. Regional anaesthesia for lower extremity reconstruction - spinals and epidurals. Advances in arthroplasty. Sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital. Boston, MA. September 29, 2005.
Lang J, Pietrobon R, Guevara C, Vail TP. Clinical Outcomes in Patients with a History of Arthrofibrosis Undergoing Second Primary TKA. 73rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in New Orleans, LA, March 8-12, 2006. Paper # 267.
Vail, TP. Comprehensive radiologic evaluation of the hip in patients treated for symptomatic labral tear. The Hip Society. Pittsburgh, PA. September 22, 2005.
Vail, TP. Comparison of metal-on-metal total surface arthroplasty to total hip arthroplasty: Two year minimum follow-up. The Hip Society. Pittsburgh, PA. September 22, 2005.
Vail TP. The outcome of total knee arthroplasty in patients treated for arthrofibrosis in the contralateral knee. The Knee Society. NY, NY. September 9, 2005.
Vail TP. History and Success of Hip Resurfacing. Intelligent Hip Surgery Course. DePuy International. Brussels, Belgium. July 8, 2005.
Vail TP. DePuy ASRTM Surgical Tips. Intelligent Hip Surgery Course. DePuy International. Brussels, Belgium. July 8, 2005.
Vail TP. Chairman - Minimally invasive hip surgery: techniques, evolution, and future directions. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Orthopaedic Learning Center, Rosemont, IL. June 23-24, 2005.
Vail TP. The short posterior oblique incision - a tissue sparing approach. Minimally invasive hip surgery: techniques, evolution, and future directions. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Orthopaedic Learning Center, Rosemont, IL. June 23-24, 2005.
Vail TP. History and Success of Hip Resurfacing. Intelligent Hip Surgery Course. DePuy International. Lisbon, Portugal. June 2, 2005.
Vail TP. DePuy ASRTM Surgical Tips. Intelligent Hip Surgery Course. DePuy International. Lisbon, Portugal. June 3, 2005.
Vail TP. Clinical Review of Metal on Metal Bearings in hip replacement. Intelligent Hip Surgery Course. DePuy International. Lisbon, Portugal. June 2, 2005.
Vail TP. Patient Safety and Ethics in MIS and CAOS. MIS meets CAOS Spring Symposium. Indianapolis, IN. May 19, 2005.
Vail TP. Is it really the MIS or is it the anaesthesia and new approaches to patients needing TJR. MIS meets CAOS Spring Symposium. Indianapolis, IN. May 19, 2005.
Vail TP. Regional anaesthesia for major lower extremity reconstruction. Piedmont Orthopaedic Society. Sea Island Georgia. May 2005.
Vail TP. Deep venous thrombosis in total hip replacment. Transforming Care. Whistler, BC. March 2005.
Vail TP. Advances in regional anaesthesia for hip surgery. The Hip Society. Washington, DC. February 26, 2005.
Vail TP. Minimal incision posterior total hip replacement. Symposium. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Washington, DC. February 24, 2005.

Grants and Awards

2006, Best Doctors in North Carolina. Business North Carolina
2005, Presidential Address, 36th Annual Meeting of the Eastern Orthopaedic Association. Orthopaedics meets pop culture - rapid change and new technology. Chesapeake, MD.
2004, Award winner, Strength/Hope/Caring Award. Duke Hospital.
2004, Guest Lecturer, The Hellenic Association of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. Athens, Greece.
2003, J Biomed Engineering Best Paper 2003: Alexopoulos LG, Haider MA, Vail TP, and Guilak F. Alterations In The Mechanical Properties Of The Human Chondrocyte Pericellular Matrix With Osteoarthritis. J Biomed Engineering 2003 June;125:323-333.
2003, Visiting Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of North Carolina.
2003, Best Chief Resident Thesis. Gregory Green MD (co-winner), T Vail (mentor). Proximal Tibial Strain Measurements in Varus Alignment of Total Knee Prosthesis: The Posteromedial Hot Spot.
2003, Ranawat Award for best submission by a resident or fellow. Eastern Orthopaedic Association. Dublin, Ireland. Sick patients cost more: Quantification of health status and implications for reimbursement in hip arthroplasty. Shah AN (winner), Pietrobon R, Vail TP(mentor).
2002, Visiting Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Westpoint Military Academy, Westpoint, NY.
2001, Resident/Fellow Research Award (mentor). North Carolina Orthopaedic Association. Green GV, Berend KR, Berend ME, Glisson RR, Vail TP. Proximal Tibial Strain Measurements in Varus Alignment of Total Knee Prosthesis: The Posteromedial Hot Spot. Wilmington, NC.
2001, Visiting Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of North Carolina.
2001, J. Leonard Goldner Chief Resident Research Award, Faculty Advisor, Douglas Wyland recipient, Cartilage Degeneration After Meniscal Tear or Partial Meniscectomy.
Castle Connolly Top Doctor in America
2000, Invited lecture, Technical University of Munich. Choice of Stems in Revision Total hip Arthroplasty. Munich, Germany.
2000, Piedmont Orthopaedic Society Chairman's Award, A Short Posterior Hip Incision.
2000, William Harris Award, The Mechanical Properties of the Human Hip Joint Capsule Ligaments. Orthopaedic Research Society.

Membership and Committees

ACL Study Group
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American Orthopaedic Association
Association for Arthritic Hip and Knee Surgery
Diplomat of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Diplomat of the National Board of Medical Examiners
Eastern Orthopaedic Association
Interurban Orthopaedic Society
North Carolina Medical Society
North Carolina Orthopaedic Association
Orthopaedic Research Society
Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society
Piedmont Orthopaedic Society
Society for Arthritic Joint Surgery
The Hip Society
The Knee Society

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Professor and Chairman Specialty: Arthritis and Joint Replacement Clinic

Book Chapters:

Professor and Chairman
Specialty: Arthritis and Joint Replacement Clinic