Perry A. Ball, MD

After completing my residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, obtaining a Masters of Science from The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, and completing a one-year fellowship in Adult Reconstructive Surgery/Total Joint Arthroplasty at Harvard's Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston, MA, I returned to Dartmouth-Hitchcock in 2014. I was drawn back by its underlying core values and culture, where a strong emphasis on patient reported outcomes and shared decision making places the patient at the epicenter of their medical care. My interests and clinical practice includes primary knee and hip arthroplasty, with an emphasis on the direct anterior approach, partial knee replacements, uncemented knee replacement, patient-specific technology, revision hip and knee arthroplasty, complex acetabular reconstruction, periprosthetic fracture management, periprosthetic infections, knee fusions, and general orthopaedic trauma. By using proven treatment methods and listening to the individual needs of my patients, I am able to provide compassionate and comprehensive care to each and every patient. My goal is to build long-term, lasting relationships with my patients, and to treat every patient as if they are part of my family. I have published on many research topics including patient-reported outcomes, total joint replacement in the elderly, prosthetic joint infections, cost-effective orthopaedic care and determining value in joint replacement. I have also written the book Get Hip with one of my former patients to help patients prepare for and recovery from hip replacement.

I became an orthopaedic trauma surgeon because I wanted to be able to help people in a very tangible way. As a trauma surgeon, I usually meet people on one of the worst days of their lives. I do my best to put them at ease and let them know we will help them get back to being able to do the things they want to do. In my care, communication is key. Trauma events are stressful by nature and people behave differently under stress. I try to understand what my patients are going through and help them understand what their treatment choices are. Trauma is a team sport. I am fortunate to be able to work with dedicated providers in plastic surgery, general surgery, trauma surgery, emergency medicine and neurosurgery. We all work closely as a coordinated team to help our patients get back to their work, recreation, sports and hobbies.

By combining technically excellent treatment with personalized care, I want to help people choose the surgical or non-surgical treatment that will allow them to achieve their goals. I strive to earn the trust and respect of my patients every time I meet with them.