Dax Varkey, M.D.

Dr. Dax Varkey is an orthopedic surgeon at Murphy Wainer Orthopedic Specialists in Greensboro, NC. He is fellowship-trained in sports medicine, shoulder, elbow and knee surgery, and hip arthroscopy. His specialties include shoulder replacement, rotator cuff repair, Tommy John surgery, patellar instability surgery, meniscus repairs, ACL and other ligament reconstructions, and complex revision procedures for shoulder, elbow, and knee.

Dr. Dax Varkey joined Murphy Wainer Orthopedic Specialists as an orthopedic surgeon in September 2018. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Dr. Varkey completed an orthopedic surgery residency at UNC, followed by a Sports Medicine, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Fellowship at OrthoCarolina in Charlotte.

His specialties include surgical treatment of shoulder, elbow, knee and hip conditions and injuries. In addition to performing general orthopedic procedures, Dr. Varkey’s rigorous fellowship training allows him to perform more complex surgeries – such as revisions of shoulder replacements, rotator cuff repairs, and ACL reconstructions, as well as cartilage restoration and hip arthroscopy. Because of this advanced training, Dr. Varkey is able to offer a local option to patients who may have previously been referred out of town for specialized care.

“I’m looking forward to helping people with sports-related injuries and shoulder and elbow-related injuries who otherwise might have traveled long distances to get their care,” he says.

HELPING OTHERS GET BACK TO LIFE
Dr. Dax Varkey enjoys providing orthopedic care that helps people achieve their goals, whether they are athletes who have been sidelined from a game they love or adults who are seeking better mobility to perform everyday tasks.

“Everyone has a goal,” Dr. Varkey says. “For some, it is returning to high-level athletics. For others, it is trying to stay independent and active with minimal pain. I want to be able to help patients achieve their goals and get back to doing things they enjoy.”

Dr. Varkey has served as an assistant team physician and performed surgery for the Carolina Panthers. He also has provided orthopedic care for high school and college teams, including the UNC Tarheels, Davidson Wildcats and UNC Charlotte 49ers basketball and football teams.

EDUCATION
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Postgraduate: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine (MD)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health (MPH)
Internship and Residency: Orthopedic Surgery, University of North Carolina
Fellowship: Sports Medicine, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, OrthoCarolina, Charlotte, NC
Awards: Morehead Scholarship to attend UNC Chapel Hill
Resident of the Year
Resident Teacher of the Year

FROM THE FAMILY FARM TO MEDICINE
Originally from Pittsboro, Dr. Varkey grew up performing chores on the family farm, where he learned the value of hard work.

He attended UNC on a Morehead Scholarship, which provides top high school students with full tuition and expenses for four years, completing an undergraduate degree in biology. He went on to earn not just a medical degree, but also a master’s in public health – which he says was valuable because it offered information beyond what is taught in medical school about providing quality care to patients.

While in training, he was named Resident of the Year and Resident Teacher of the Year in musculoskeletal medicine. Dr. Varkey is the co-author of a book chapter on ACL reconstruction as well as research papers on rotator cuff tears and patellar instability.

FAMILY AND INTERESTS
Dr. Varkey and his wife, a registered nurse, have a 2-year-old son. In his spare time, Dr. Varkey enjoys traveling, playing golf, fishing, cooking with his wife, and exploring Greensboro’s many parks with his wife and son.

MEMBERSHIPS
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine
Greater Greensboro Society of Medicine

SPECIALTIES
Arthroscopic and open shoulder surgery, including:
Rotator cuff surgery
Shoulder replacement, including reverse total shoulder
Shoulder stabilization, including Bankart repair and Latarjet procedure
Arthroscopic and open elbow surgery, including:
Tommy John surgery
Ulnar nerve decompression
Loose body removal
Arthroscopic and open knee surgery, including:
Meniscus repair surgery
ACL reconstruction
Patellar instability repair
Cartilage procedures
Other complex ligament reconstructions, including MCL, LCL, and PCL
Hip arthroscopy