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Orthopedic Urgent Care
Our Providers

Dr.Kim Driftmier

Undergraduate

University of Southern California

Medical School

Drexel University College of Medicine

Residency

San Antonio Uniformed Services Education Health Consortium—Internal Medicine University of Hawaii—Orthopedic Surgery

Fellowship University of Washington/Harborview Medical Center—Spinal Surgery AOSpine Fellowship

Board Certification

Board Certified—American Board of Orthopedic Surgery

Medical Society Memberships

Alpha Omega Alpha—Medical Honor Society American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons AO Spine North American Spine Society Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons Anchorage Orthopedic Society

Team Experience

University of Fairbanks Alaska, Fairbanks—Hockey University of Southern Californian—Football University Southern Californian—Baseball 212th Pararescue Squadron—“The Guardian Angels”

Research and Publication

Cage JM, Krul K, Driftmier KR, Orchowski JR. Clinical Outcome Following Single Level Cervical Disc Arthroplasty in a Military Population—The Spine Journal. 2013 Sep; 13(9): 167

Driftmier, K; Tavolaro, C; El Naga, A; Bransford, R; Bellabarba, C; Zhou, H. Does costo-transversectomy impact length of survival in patients with thoracic spine metastatic disease?—Harborview Medical Center/University of Washington

Driftmier KR, Scarcella N, Patel M, Foeger N, Izuka B. Efficacy of Radiation Attenuation of Radiopaque Gloves and Cream: A Comparative Study—University of Hawaii

Driftmier KR, Mitsunaga M, Mitsunaga MM. Surgical Salvage of Failed Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF)—University of Hawaii

Johanson NA, Driftmier KR, Cerynik DL, Stehman CC. Grading acetabular defects: the need for a universal and valid system. J Arthroplasty. 2010 Apr; 25(3): 425-31. [Epub 2009 Apr 18]

Peretz JI, Driftmier KR, Cerynik DL, Kumar NS, Johanson NA. Does Lateral Release Change Patellofemoral Forces and Pressures?: A Pilot Study. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2012 Mar; 470(3): 903-9 [Epub 2011 Oct 26]

Procedures

Operative:

  • Minimally invasive spinal decompression (stenosis)

  • Minimally invasive spinal decompression (microdiscectomy)

  • Minimally invasion spinal fusion (ACDF, TLIF, PLIF)

  • Osteoporotic spinal fracture stabilization

  • Sacroiliac joint fusion

  • Spinal Cord Stimulator implantation

  • Arthroscopic Rotator cuff repair

  • Arthroscopic shoulder stabilization

  • Patient-Specific Total Shoulder Replacement

  • Patient-specific reverse total shoulder replacement

  • Arthroscopic ACL and PCL knee reconstruction

  • Open and Arthroscopic cartilage restoration

  • Arthroscopic Ankle Surgery

  • Wide awake surgery (sometimes called WALANT)

  • Carpal Tunnel, trigger finger, cubital tunnel release

  • Endoscopic carpal tunnel release

  • Fracture stabilization of arms/hands, legs/feet

  • Amputation

Nonoperative:

  • Evaluation and treatment of complex spinal deformity

  • Scoliosis (adolescent and adult)

  • Evaluation and treatment of spinal tumors

  • Spinal Bracing

  • Fracture management/casting

  • Ligament tear management

  • Injections of spine, joints, muscles, nerves, tendons

  • Platelet Rich Protein (PRP) injections of tendons and joints

Special Interests

  • Minimally invasive/outpatient spinal surgery

  • Complex arthroscopic shoulder and knee reconstruction

Bio

Dr. Kim Driftmier is board-certified in Orthopedic Surgery and is fellowship-trained in spine surgery.

Dr. Driftmier attended undergraduate at the University of Southern California where he worked as an assistant athletic trainer with the football and baseball teams. He went to Drexel University for medical school, where he assumed a commitment to the United States Air Force. He completed an internship in Internal Medicine with the USAF and a residency in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Hawaii. He also studied pediatric spinal deformity at The Shriners Hospital and rehabilitative medicine at the University of Washington. Upon completion of residency, Dr. Driftmier was stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, practicing general orthopedics and sports medicine. During his service to our country, Dr. Driftmier deployed to Syria with the United States Army Special Forces, for which he received The Bronze Star Medal. Upon returning home, he became the team doctor for the 212th Pararescue Squadron, Alaska’s Guardian Angels. After serving four proud years, Dr. Driftmier returned to civilian life and completed an orthopedic spine surgery fellowship at Harborview Medical Center/University of Washington and is also a member of the fellowship of AOSpine. In 2022, Dr. Driftmier was inducted into the fellowship class of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Dr. Driftmier has special interests in both spine health and sports medicine. He believes that non-operative measures should be pursued whenever reasonable to restore health to an individual. His wide training in spine, sports, military, and internal medicine has given him a great diversity of orthopedic knowledge and experience. He greatly values continuing education in all areas of medicine and had the honor of starting the JBER-based journal club that brought surgeons from many Alaskan orthopedic practices together to better our community.

Dr. Driftmier has a wonderful and supportive wife and three beautiful children. He enjoys fishing, snowboarding, spearfishing, hiking, and mountain biking. He looks forward to meeting you and your needs.