John E. Lapkass, MD
Dr. John Lapkass is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in joint replacement and revision surgery as well as providing treatment for sports-related injuries.
Dr. Lapkass joined Alaska Fracture & Orthopedic Clinic in 2005, after spending more than 16 years as an orthopedist at the Alaska Native Medical Center. He has received awards for recognition of and appreciation for providing health care for natives and has conducted field clinics all over the state.
Although he graduated from medical school at the University of California in San Diego, Dr. Lapkass has fully embraced the Alaska lifestyle. He enjoys many different outdoor activities, including all kinds of skiing, mountain and road biking, running, paragliding, and hiking.
He regularly participates in many of the quintessential Alaska adventure races, including the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic and the 200-mile Iditasport. He currently holds the record for most Wilderness Classic races finished. In addition to Alaska adventure racing, Dr. Lapkass has also participated in five 100-mile ultra races in Leadville, Colorado, where the average elevation is 10,000 feet.
Not surprisingly, Dr. Lapkass has a special interest in sports medicine. He enjoys arthroscopy, ACL reconstruction, shoulder arthroscopy, instability repair, and rotator cuff repair. He is also proficient in total joint treatment, including hip, knee, elbow, and shoulder. Dr. Lapkass is one of the only orthopedists in Anchorage who performs total elbow replacement, hip arthroscopy, and hip replacement using the direct anterior approach.
Dr. Lapkass is a favorite among his patients, some of whom have followed him to Alaska Fracture & Orthopedic Clinic from the Alaska Native Medical Center.
He is married with one daughter.
Interests
- Total Joint Reconstruction (both primary and revision procedures)
- Arthroscopy
- Sports Medicine
Medical Degree
- University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA
Internship/Residency
- University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO
- University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville, VA
Board Certification
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Memberships
- Alaska State Orthopedic Society
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Anchorage Medical Society
- Western Orthopedic Association
Dr. Lapkass is available to see patients at the following location:
Anchorage Clinic & Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy
Testimonials for Dr. Lapkass
“My husband and I feel very blessed to have had such an excellent surgeon. He cares about the outcome and was pleased with our progress. We honestly thought he had our best interest at heart! We are grateful to have had Dr. Lapkass as our provider!”
“Dr. Lapkass provided top-notch care, considering my specific situation. I arrived for surgery, two weeks after breaking my leg and destroying the nerve at our beach fish camp. In addition to this, I had developed a blood clot adjacent to the injured area. I was a new patient and not in the best shape. It has been some years since my surgery and 3-month recovery. Despite having a slight case of foot drop, I can pursue most of my previous sought-after activities. I am most appreciative of Dr. Lapkass’s caring manner and expertise!”
“After injuring my knee, I didn’t have to shop around for an orthopedist. I knew to call Dr. Lapkass. Thank you, John!”
“Dr. Lapkass is very professional and personable. I would recommend him to anyone needing a total knee replacement.”
“I have only seen Dr. Lapkass once but feel very safe in his care. Thanks, Doctor.”