Michael K. Merz, MD

Education and Expertise

Dr. Merz graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree at Baylor University before attending medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. After finishing medical school, he completed an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Illinois in Chicago. In his final year of residency, he served as the administrative chief resident.

Dr. Merz completed two fellowships after residency—adult reconstruction and hip preservation. He was an Otto E. Aufranc fellow in adult reconstruction at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, MA. While there, he had extensive training in primary and revision total hip and knee surgeries as well as partial knee replacement.

Due to his specific interest in the hip, Dr. Merz completed a second fellowship in hip-preserving surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital, affiliated with Harvard Medical School. He underwent comprehensive training with leaders in the field for patients with hip conditions, from birth through middle age. This included both arthroscopy and osteotomies of the pelvis and femur.

Specific conditions addressed by Dr. Merz include:

Dr. Merz also has a great interest and passion for preventing arthritis of the hip joint through hip preservation. When treating patients, he offers a comprehensive approach that involves patients in the discussion of the risks and benefits associated with surgical versus nonsurgical treatment. When surgery is required, he incorporates minimally-invasive techniques to reduce discomfort and improve recovery time.

In addition to addressing conditions of the hip, Dr. Merz also treats knee issues and other general orthopedic problems utilizing the following methods:

Dr. Merz sees patients of all ages and operates primarily at North Carolina Specialty Hospital, Triangle Surgery Center, and SouthPoint Surgery Center.

Education

• Undergraduate: Baylor University
• Medical school: The University of Texas Health Science Center, School of Medicine, San Antonio
• Residency: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago
• Fellowships:
  • Otto E. Aufranc Fellow in Adult Reconstructive Surgery at the New England Baptist Hospital
  • Hip Preservation Surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School

Request a consultation with Dr. Merz now. Or, call us at 984.666.2201 anytime to speak with an EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region team member.