Dimitri Michael Thomas, MD

In high school and college, I was an accomplished sprinter (5th in Texas in the 400m) and was one of 12 recipients of the Texas All-State Scholar/Athlete Scholarship. I am a former U.S. Army Major and deployed to Afghanistan in 2014 to serve as the orthopedic surgeon at a forward operating base in remote Ghanzi Province where I treated complex war injuries. After my 13 years of military service, I completed my sports medicine fellowship in Missouri where I provided team coverage for the Mizzou Tigers athletic teams. I chose to become a physician because I enjoy helping people. Nothing makes me happier than to have a patient say that they have their life back. I chose orthopedics because many times, the fix is immediate, and results are seen right away. I am mechanically inclined, and orthopedics is a natural fit. I believe in treating the patient, not his/her X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Tailoring the goals of the patient to the plan of action ensures the optimal outcome and allows the patient to have an active role in his/her treatment. My areas of clinical interest include sports medicine; cartilage restoration and meniscus transplantation; osteotomy (bone realignment); ligament injuries; shoulder (rotator cuff and instability); and wide awake, local anesthesia, no tourniquet (WALANT) surgery, especially for hand and wrist surgeries. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and dogs, outdoor activities, exercise, watching basketball, history, and I occasionally dabble in woodwork.