Yale A. Fillingham, MD

Perry A. Ball, MD, is a highly regarded neurosurgeon specializing in spine surgery, critical care medicine, and neurocritical care. With a focus on thoracic and lumbar spine surgery, spinal injuries, spinal disorders, and spinal tumors, Dr. Ball has been recognized as a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly multiple times, reflecting his expertise and dedication to patient care. Dr. Ball serves as the Section Chief of Neurocritical Care and holds professorships in Surgery and Anesthesiology at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. His extensive education includes a medical degree from Dartmouth Medical School and specialized training in neurosurgery and critical care, making him a leading figure in his field. Generated from the website

Orthopaedic care is in high demand at D-H because of our aging population, our increasing life expectancy, and our very active population in Vermont and New Hampshire. I’m excited to be part of meeting that demand. I appreciate being able to help improve my patients’ quality of life, whether by restoring their function and decreasing pain after a trauma, or by helping to manage a chronic condition by improving mobility and alleviating pain. Developing personal relationships with my patients so that we can engage in open and honest communication is very important in my practice. Good communication allows us to choose the treatment that best meets my patients’ goals. Forging these close relationships also lets me provide the very best post-operative follow-up care, and to help my patients manage chronic orthopaedic conditions by encouraging routine visits, wellness and preventive care.

I chose to be an orthopedic surgeon because it gives me the opportunity to help people address the aches, pains, and injuries that are holding them back from living their best life. I understand the profound impact that musculoskeletal issues can have on a person when they cannot pursue the activities they love. I help patients learn about their diagnosis and the non-surgical and surgical treatment options available to them. I review the risks, benefits, and research for each option with my patients, and then encourage them to choose the path that works best for them. My goal is to help patients get back to the sports, activities, and hobbies they enjoy. There’s nothing better than seeing patients long after their injury and learning about how well they are doing. Outside of the clinic, I enjoy pursuing research that helps us optimize our surgical outcomes. This allows me to contribute to the field and remain on the forefront of new ideas and procedures. I have published on an array of topics throughout orthopedic surgery, including the adoption of new techniques for rotator cuff repairs, medical conditions associated with frozen shoulders, and the cost-effectiveness of reverse shoulder arthroplasty for fractures.