Dr. Verheyden is a fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon, specializing in elbow, hand, shoulder, wrist, and trauma and fracture care. He joined The Center’s orthopedic team in 2003. He provides comprehensive treatment, including advanced surgical procedures and techniques designed to avoid surgery.
Dr. Verheyden has done extensive research during his career to improve outcomes for his patients and advance medical knowledge, presenting his findings regionally and nationally in New York, California, Boston, Chicago, and Las Vegas. Most recently he has focused on research for Dupuytren’s contracture; his patients have traveled from as far as Hawaii, Alaska, and Florida to seek nonsurgical Xiaflex collagenase injection solutions for this condition. In addition, Dr. Verheyden has authored many peer-reviewed publications and several book chapters.
Dr. Verheyden enjoys cross country skiing, physical fitness, mountain and road biking, hiking, forest management, and travel. He owns several companies in Central Oregon in addition to his practice here, including Millwood, which specializes in juniper tree logging, an excavation company, mobile mix concrete, and landscaping. He is very involved with Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, and enjoys spending time with his children.
Board Certification: American Board of Orthopedic Surgery
Fellowship: Hand and Microvascular Surgery at University of Washington, Seattle
Residency: State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse
Medical School: University of Wisconsin Medical School
Undergraduate Education: University of Wisconsin, Madison
Professional Affiliations: Fellow American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Member American Society for Surgery of the Hand
Wendy, a lifelong golfer, suffered a severe elbow injury after slipping on the ice. After surgical repair, she was able to fully recover and return to her passion. Click here to watch her tell her story in a short video.
JD was coaching the Summit High School Nordic team, when he fell demonstrating what not to do going down a hill, injuring his shoulder. He was supposed to be in Switzerland a week after the injury, so Dr. Verheyden gave him a treatment plan that allowed him to continue my recovery while traveling. Click here to watch him tell his story.
“I stepped on a pickleball court three years ago and immediately became addicted. I always played with some thumb pain, but last winter it got so bad that I couldn’t even grab a ball. My left thumb had developed big bone spurs and I could barely bend it. I went to see Dr. Verheyden and he recommended surgery to remove the bone spurs and rebuild the tendon. Six weeks after surgery, I was back on the pickleball courts playing again, pain free.” – Mike Marsh
“I live in the San Francisco area and started researching treatment options for Dupuytren’s contracture about six months ago. I went to UCSF and requested the collagenese injection, but the doctors there only wanted to do surgery. I wasn’t willing to spend three months in a cast after surgery, so I kept looking for other alternatives. It didn’t hurt but I knew I needed to fix it, especially once I could no longer fit my hand in my pocket! My golf instructor, Jim Wilkinson, had heard about Dr. Verheyden and his unique way of doing the injections. I called The Center and was scheduled to see him very quickly. I am very sensitive to pain and the injections were not painful. I only have to wear the splint at nighttime for a week and then I will be back to my regular activities. I am very pleased with the treatment I received. Dr. Verheyden even used some of the enzyme in my other hand as a preventative measure. I hope it doesn’t come back, but if it does I know I will come here right away!” – Georgiana Cronin
“Dr. Verheyden was able to get me seen by Dr. Hill for a nerve study within one hour, saving time and having to set up additional visits. When it became clear a carpel tunnel procedure was needed he had his assistant help me do the necessary paperwork in order to get it scheduled the following week. Excellent patient care and customer service – especially given that this time of year is so busy! I was very impressed! Love the new Shevlin facility too!”
“Thank you for the very informative consultation regarding the early-stage Dupuytren’s contracture in my right hand. I learned a lot, and felt very encouraged about the potential prognosis of my condition. I also enjoyed reading the newspaper articles in your exam room, and particularly the study you published in The Journal of Hand Surgery. I can’t tell you how lucky I am to have you as my hand doctor. It is extremely encouraging to see a medical professional looking for alternative treatments, and with such a successful track record. Not only is the collagenase injection more cost effective, it is also far less invasive than surgery. This makes it much more feasible to perform a repeat procedure if the condition returns. This is truly a win-win situation, which greatly reduces any anxiety I have about future treatment of my hand–if that ever becomes necessary.
I’m one of the few Americans that pays for his own health insurance (the very high deductible type, with an associated HSA account), and with no government subsidy. I pay my own way. As such, I am much more aware of medical costs, and the probable outcome. This is a big problem with the health care system–not enough consumers pay attention to costs and alternatives, because they participate in the ‘all you can eat’ free buffet. I know this, because for years, I was part of a corporate plan with virtually no deductible. But honestly, more than cost and value, I am happy to see a non-surgical alternative.
I have always believed surgery should be the last course, if other options are not viable. Surgery can be invasive, and as you pointed out in our consultation, the scar tissue would make a future procedure much more difficult. When I had neuromas in both feet, my podiatrist (also a runner) opted to inject each foot with a solution that numbed the nerve tissue, rather than performing surgery. More than 10 years later, I have no problems. Thanks again–I consider myself very fortunate to have you as my hand doctor.”- Mike McComb
“I fell off a 26’ ladder and shattered my wrist. The first doctor I saw told me it couldn’t be repaired and had to be fused. I am a painter and an amateur pool player so I needed the full use of my left hand. I decided to get a second opinion with Dr. Verheyden. It was an emotional time for me because I was planning on becoming a professional pool player and going to a big pool tournament in Las Vegas before my injury. When I arrived for my appointment, I was expecting the same diagnosis and that I would have to get my wrist fused. Dr. Verheyden told me it was a bad injury and in pretty rough condition, but that he could reconstruct it. He had all the confidence in the world and it made me feel confident going ahead with surgery. I’m so thankful that I have a moving wrist. He gave me light again at the end of the tunnel. I’m back at it, playing pool and going to give it another go at turning professional.” – Mario Chavez
