James B. Ames, MD, MS

I joined the Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine team at Dartmouth-Hitchcock because I wanted to work with people and have a meaningful impact in their lives. I enjoy orthopaedic sports medicine because it allows me to help restore my patients' function after an injury.

Getting my patients back to their active lifestyle is the number one goal for myself and my team, no matter the patient’s age or ability level. We aim to connect our patients with the best providers and resources, here at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and close to home, to restore them to their pre-injury level of function so they can get back to their favorite activities.

A vital part of reaching this goal is getting everyone together and on the same page. This includes in-depth conversations with the patient to explain their condition, answer their questions and follow up with after treatment. It also includes speaking with local physical therapists or talking with athletic trainers about a young athlete’s recovery and rehabilitation.

The most rewarding part of my work is when the whole team comes together to help our patients. In or out of the operating room, working with our team of schedulers, physical therapists, athletic trainers, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and others is key to helping a procedure and recovery go seamlessly for the patient.

The Department of Orthopaedics wants to improve your quality of life and get you back to doing the things you enjoy most. Our team includes specialists in every area of orthopaedic medicine including:

• Foot / Ankle Surgery
• Hand / Wrist Surgery
• Joint Replacement for Hip and Knee Arthritis
• Orthopaedic Oncology
• Pediatric Orthopaedics
• Shoulder / Elbow Surgery
• Spine Surgery / Back Pain
• Sports Medicine
• Trauma / Fracture Care

We work with you and your family to determine the best surgical or non-surgical treatment approach for you. Our goal is to provide the best results and help you achieve your goals.