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Rafe Sales, MD, is a board-certified and fellowship-trained spine surgeon. At his practice  in Portland, Oregon, he provides comprehensive diagnosis and surgical treatment for a wide range of spinal conditions, including spinal stenosis, herniated discs, lumbar spondylolisthesis, and nerve pain.

Dr. Sales earned his Doctor of Medicine at Albany Medical College in Albany, New York. He served his residency in orthopedic surgery at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Sales went on to complete a prestigious spine surgery fellowship at the San Francisco Spine Institute in California. 

Dr. Sales is active in the spine community, and performs over 450 minimally invasive spinal surgeries years. He has completed over 7000 spinal surgeries over the last 20 years in practice, and focuses exclusively on spine surgery. In addition he serves as the Medical Director of Spine Surgery for the Providence Health Care system in Oregon.  He is the Medical Director at NorthWest Spine and Pain surgery center. He serves on the Medical Executive Board for SCA/ United Heath Care, helping guide minimally invasive spine care for patients around the country. He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Spinal Injury Association, and the North American Spine Society. He served as the Director of Spinal Trauma for Legacy Health for many years until focusing exclusively on minally invasive spine surgery in 2017.

While Dr. Sales is an experienced and meticulous surgeon, he typically begins with conservative treatments. He collaborates with physical therapists and chiropractors to provide well-rounded care for each patient, aiming to heal their spine without surgery whenever possible. 

“I was an athlete in college and wanted to go into medicine so I could take care of other athletes and return them to their sports in better health. My goal is to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle for life.”

Dr. Blatz was trained at Brown University where he earned his BA in biology, then Colgate University for his MA in chemistry and Upstate Medical in Syracuse for his MD. His orthopedic surgery training was at Tulane and his sports medicine training was with Dr. Jack Hughston, founder of the Hughston Clinic and Dr. James Andrews of Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Blatz is a highly respected, board-certified sports medicine-trained orthopedic surgeon at Pacific Regenerative and Interventional Medicine in San Jose, CA. He is a past chairman of the Sports Medicine Committee of the Santa Clara County Medical Society, past team physician of the San Jose Earthquakes Professional Soccer Team, orthopedic surgeon of the FC Gold Pride Women’s Professional Soccer Team and has a professional affiliation with Silicon Valley Sports Medicine Associates. In his spare time, Dr. Blatz enjoys playing golf and spending time with his wife, sons and four grandchildren.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Board-Certified: Orthopedic Surgery, American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (Certifications in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery)
Fellow: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery
Residency: Orthopedic Surgery, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
MD: Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Clinical Associate Professor: O’Connor Sports Medicine,  Stanford Medical School, San Jose, CA
Member: International Arthroscopy Society, International Knee Society, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery, Arthroscopy Association of North America, American Society of Sports Medicine
Past Director: Sports Medicine Education Program for Central Coast Section CA, Interscholastic Federation

TEAM AFFILIATIONS

Orthopedic Consultant: F.C. Gold Pride Professional Soccer Team, US Men’s National Soccer Team, Mixed Martial Arts Competition
Team Physician: Archbishop Mitty High School
Former Team Physician: US National Swim Team, San Jose Earthquakes, Olympic Festival

John Schwappach, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Denver Metro Orthopedics, P.C., which has locations in Englewood and Aurora, Colorado. 

Dr. Schwappach was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. He then went on to attend the Colorado School of Mines and graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in engineering chemistry. Dr. Schwappach graduated with honors in 1989 from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He then completed an orthopedic residency program at the University of Kansas before pursuing a fellowship in orthopedic traumatology at the University of Washington through Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Dr. Schwappach is a board-certified fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. He has published extensively in orthopedic literature, including articles based on his own original research. Along with orthopedic trauma and fracture care, Dr. Schwappach also specializes in joint replacement surgery, post-traumatic reconstruction, pelvic/acetabular surgery, sports medicine injuries, and clinical research.

He is currently affiliated with several local hospitals, including Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver, Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, and Medical Center of Aurora.

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At the practice of Igor Rubinshteyn, MD, patients can get comprehensive care for chronic bone and joint issues, as well as for acute injuries. Dr. Rubinshteyn, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, cares for patients in his Brooklyn and Rego Park, New York, offices.

During his undergraduate studies in biological sciences at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, Dr. Rubinshteyn was named to the Dean’s list for academic excellence. He went on to earn his doctorate of medicine degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center. 

After graduation, Dr. Rubinshteyn went through his residency training at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, where he served as chief resident during his final year. Dr. Rubinshteyn is currently board-certified through the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Throughout his career, Dr. Rubinshteyn has worked in prestigious orthopaedic positions throughout the greater New York City area. He cared for patients at Metropolitan Hospital and Coney Island Hospital, where he provided both surgical and nonsurgical treatments of bone and joint disorders and injuries. 

Although Dr. Rubinshteyn can diagnose and treat minor to complex orthopaedic issues, he has extensive experience in chronic bone and joint conditions, trauma and fractures, sports injuries, and total joint replacements. He welcomes new and existing patients to his private practice.

Board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Michael F. Dillingham, MD, brings over 30 years of experience in sports medicine, orthopedic surgery, and physical rehabilitation to Peninsula Orthopedic Associates in Daly City and Atherton, California, serving patients throughout San Mateo County and the San Francisco Bay area. 

Dr. Dillingham began his professional career as a team physician for the San Francisco Forty-Niners of the National Football League. After 25 years and four Super Bowls, Dr. Dillingham joined the San Francisco Giants and served as their team physician through three World Series.

While working as a team physician, Dr. Dillingham also co-founded the Sports Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Medicine Associates (SOAR) in San Jose and San Francisco. There, he pioneered the multidisciplinary musculoskeletal group, both in concept and execution, rendering patient care via a true team concept. Dr. Dillingham has also served as the medical director at Stanford Sports Medicine and held the same position at Santa Clara University Athletics. 

Dr. Dillingham treats all types of sports-related issues but primarily focuses on those affecting the knees, shoulders, elbows, and ankles. His background as a team physician in professional, collegiate, and Olympic settings ensures patients receive access to cutting-edge, rehabilitative treatments, and education that can change their lives. 

Whenever possible, Dr. Dillingham recommends minimally invasive measures of care. He regularly develops treatment plans for men and women based on their unique lifestyle, health status, and age. Dr. Dillingham offers traditional treatments including physical therapy, as well as state-of-the-art surgical techniques including limb realignment and biologic resurfacing. 

When he isn’t spending time with patients, you can find Dr. Dillingham training the next generation of orthopedic specialists. He recently completed 25 years as medical director of the SOAR sports medicine accredited fellowship.

Dr. Dillingham welcomes any man or woman seeking high-quality, orthopedic care to Peninsula Orthopedic Associates.

Dr. Shahryar Ahmadi is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with extensive experience in treating complex orthopedic conditions. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Toronto and advanced fellowship training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. A former faculty member, Dr. Ahmadi has conducted extensive research and has trained numerous orthopedic residents and surgeons. He remains actively involved in educating the next generation of orthopedic surgeons while providing innovative, patient-centered care.  

Stephen Fisher, M.D., is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon currently in private practice with offices inBuford, Braselton and Cumming, Georgia. Alongside his team, Dr. Fisher provides friendly, cutting-edge care with an individualized approach. Dr. Fisher has received numerous awards including being recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor each year since 2021.

Before venturing into private practice, Dr. Fisher completed an extensive educational path. He attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for his Doctor of Medicine before completing an orthopedic surgery residency at Wayne State University - Detroit Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan. During his final year there, he was chief resident. 

Dr. Fisher then completed fellowship training in sports medicine at Lake Tahoe Orthopedic Institute in Incline Village, Nevada. Since then, he has stayed abreast of the latest advancements in his field with memberships in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopedic Society of Sports Medicine and the Georgia Orthopedic Society.

Dr. Fisher specializes in treating conditions of the shoulder and knee as well as acute sports medicine injuries.  He takes a comprehensive approach to healing injuries, finding great success with orthobiologics, complex repair and reconstruction surgeries of the knee and shoulder, advanced joint preservation techniques, and meniscus root repair.

Orthopaedic Associates of Wisconsin is an orthopaedic surgery practice located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. Known for its empathy and compassion, the practice takes a patient-centered and evidence-based approach to care.

Mitchell Klement, MD, a specialized hip and knee surgeon, Orthopaedic Associates of Wisconsin specializes in complex hip and knee replacement and reconstruction procedures. The orthopaedic surgeons provide expert care for patients with arthritis and joint pain and offer joint injections. 

They also perform advanced surgical procedures such as anterior total hip replacement and robotic partial knee replacement. Orthopaedic Associates of Wisconsin uses these innovative surgical tools and techniques, so patients have the option of an outpatient joint replacement. 

The practice also offers second opinions for those feeling uneasy about their upcoming orthopaedic surgery or joint replacement. 

Dr. Klement is an experienced orthopaedic surgeon. He received his Doctor of Medicine from the Georgetown University of Medicine in Washington, D.C., and completed his orthopaedic surgical residency at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. 

To enhance his skill set, Dr. Klement completed his fellowship training in adult reconstruction at Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

For empathetic and compassionate care, call Orthopaedic Associates of Wisconsin or book an appointment online today.

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Edward (Ted) Parks, MD. FAAOS is a board-certified orthopedic specialist fellowship trained in sports medicine. Dr. Parksgrew up in Denver where he attended Cherry Creek high school. He received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Stanford University and then stayed at Stanford to earn a master's degree in biology while doing research on a technique he proposed for healing injuries to the nerves of the brain and spinal cord. After finishing at Stanford, he got his M.D. degree from Yale Medical School, where he researched human ligament anatomy. Dr. Parks completed his internship and orthopedic residency training at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California and completed a fellowship in sports medicine with Dr. Frank Noyes in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Parksis specialty trained in advanced arthroscopic reconstruction of the knee and shoulder and has been a team physician for numerous high school, college and professional teams, including the Denver Nuggets. His expertise includes hip and knee replacement, shoulder surgery and arthroscopic knee reconstruction. 

Dr. Parks joined Western Orthopaedics in 1994. He is also a clinical professor at the University Of Colorado School Of Medicine, where he has been awarded the "OutstandingClinical Faculty Teaching Award" and the "Outstanding Volunteer Faculty Award." He is an instructor for the American College of Physicians(regionally and nationally) and has been chosen by 5280 Magazine asone of Denver's "Top Docs" 18 years in a row. He has been named twice by US NEWS and World Report asone of this country'sbest orthopedic surgeons. In 2017, McGraw- Hill contracted Dr. Parks to author a textbook on orthopedics which has been an Amazon #1 best seller in the categories of orthopedics, sports medicine, rheumatology, and orthopedic surgery. The book is used in medical schools and residency programs in the US, Canada and in English speaking countries throughout the world. He is also an inventor with two US patents, an oil portrait artist, and an industrial designer (he designed the car he drives every day). In 2018, he started a country music band called Ted Parks and the Busted Bones. The 'Bones have a hit song that is played on country music stations across the country on Halloween each year.

Dr. Parksis Board Certified and is a fellow of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons. He is a member of numerous organizations including the Colorado Medical Society.

My Approach to Treating Patients

I believe that all patients should be treated with respect and dignity. Every patient deserves the direct attention and examination by their physician, not just by a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant. My staff and I work hard to limit waiting times to 30 minutes or less. We try to make your visit as comfortable and professional as possible. I review the results of the examination, x-rays, other studies, etc., with the patient and do everything I can to help them understand their condition and the treatment options I recommend. Good decisions are the result of shared knowledge and mutual respect. Good decisions lead to good results.

After being Top Doctor for 17 years with 5280 Magazine and receiving Colorado's prestigous Peak Performer award 3 years in a row - Dr. Parks has also been named America's Top Doctor nationally by U.S. News & World Report. 

 

 

 

Dr. Parks's new text book is out and on Amazon.com

Click here to learn more

Video Introduction

   Additional Videos

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• • About ACL Reconstruction

• • Overview of Total Hip Replacement

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• ACL reconstruction surgery
• Arthroplasty - Shoulder
• Arthroscopy
• Aspiration/Injection - Joint
• Biceps Tendon Rupture
• Bone Removal - Shoulder
• Carpal Tunnel
• Dislocated shoulder
• Dislocation Treatment - Knee
• Dislocation Treatment - Shoulder
• Fracture Treatment - Shoulder
• Ganglion Cysts Of The Hand
• General Medical Orthopedics
• Hand And Upper Extremity Care
• Injection - Tendon
• Joint Care
• Joint Dislocations
• Joint Replacement
• Joint Revision
• Knee Procedures - Ligament Procedures - Acl Reconstruction
• Knee Procedures - Ligament Procedures - Other
• Knee Procedures - Meniscus Procedures - Repair/Meniscectomy
• Knee Procedures - Other
• Major Shoulder Or Elbow Joint Procedures
• Meniscus Repair
• Orthopedic Care
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Orthopedics
• Orthopedics - Sports Medicine
• Other Orthopedic Procedures
• Other Sports Medicine Procedures
• Other Sports Medicine Procedures - Arthroscopy
• Patellar Dislocation
• Repair/Revision - Humerus
• Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery
• Separated Shoulder
• Shoulder and Arm Surgery
• Shoulder fracture
• Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
• Shoulder Procedures - Arthroscopy
• Shoulder Procedures - Rotator Cuff Repair
• Shoulder Replacement Surgery
• Shoulder surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Tendon And Synovial Disorders
• Tendon Sx/ Repair
• Tendonitis - Myositis & Bursitis
• Tennis Elbow
• Triceps Tendon Injury
• Trigger Finger Release
• Wrist Fracture

 

John A Reister, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with nearly 30 years of experience in sports medicine and treatment of the shoulder and knee. In addition to general orthopedic care, Dr. Reister provides a full range of shoulder care from early sports medicine to rotator cuff repair and shoulder replacement. In fact, his volume puts him in the top 50 shoulder surgeons in the nation. Such experience has been correlated with great outcomes, as surgical experience leads to lower complications rates, lower readmission rates, lower costs and better results. Of Dr. Reister’s patients:

-94% go home (instead of inpatient rehab) after total shoulder surgery.

-40% leave the same day as surgery.

-93% report improved or resolved pain within six weeks after total shoulder surgery2.

-1.6% 90-day readmission rate, compared to published averages of 1.7-6.0%3.

"If you want to increase the success in your outcome, Dr. Reister is the man. I even hit my drives longer."

In addition to shoulder care, Dr. Reister also provides sports medicine care for the knee, including arthroscopy and knee surgery with the goal of restoring his patients to an active lifestyle. A retired army surgeon, Dr. Reister brings unique experience and perspective to his practice. Using the latest advancements in minimally invasive and laparoscopic techniques and technology, Dr. Reister is deeply committed to helping his patients get back to their active lives without complication and with shorter recovery times.

"I had a total shoulder replacement on Jan. 10th and was swinging a golf club on April 10th...3 months later!"

Dr. Reister completed his undergraduate studies at Towson State University in Baltimore, MD and earned his medical degree from East Tennessee State University. After completing his surgical internship at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, he served as field surgeon before entering his orthopedic residency at Fitzsimons. After completing his residency, Dr. Reister went on to serve as a staff orthopedic surgeon at Fort Hood, Texas and Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedics at Brooke Army Medical Center, before concluding an 11-year army career. He is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society, the Colorado Medical Society, the Western Orthopedic Association, and the Society of Military Orthopedic Surgeons.

Care Philosophy

I believe the most important thing is to take compassionate, appropriate care of my patients. I would rather have people understand that I would like to help people rather than that I trained well. Medicine is fun, because you can have relationships with people. It was great to serve as a military field surgeon before entering my residency at Fitzsimmons hospital. One can still feel a little altruism about serving our country.

Specialties

Orthopedic Surgery - Sports Medicine

Orthopedic Surgery - Board Certified

Affiliations

HCA HealthONE Swedish

HCA HealthONE Rose

Credentials and education

 

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Dr. Reister CV

 

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Armodios M. Hatzidakis, MD, FAAOS, is an orthopaedic specialist at Western Orthopaedics, P.C., in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Hatzidakis was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He graduated with a BA degree from Grinnell College (Iowa) and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. After medical school, he completed his Orthopaedic Surgery training at the University of Nebraska and Creighton University combined residency program. He then pursued American and European shoulder and elbow fellowships; spending one year with upper extremity specialists in San Francisco and then eight months at centers of excellence in England, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and France.

In addition to general orthopaedic and fracture care, Dr. Hatzidakis’ primary expertise is in treatment of the shoulder and elbow, specializing in arthroscopic ("scope") surgery for athletic injuries, rotator cuff, instability and fracture repair, shoulder and elbow replacement, and complex revision/salvage surgery, including reversed shoulder replacement. He is active in teaching other surgeons complex shoulder reconstruction techniques, has co-authored numerous articles and book chapters on shoulder surgery, and is a recipient of the Neer Clinical Science Award for excellence in shoulder and elbow research. Dr. Hatzidakis is Board Certified, a Fellow with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), and a member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES). Dr. Hatzidakis joined Western Orthopaedics, P.C. in 2003. 

My Approach to Treating Patients

"I treat patients the way I would like to be treated; with thoughtful listening, thorough examination, and a complete discussion of the options for care. If an operation is required or elected upon, I stay updated and proficient in both time-honored and modern techniques required to give the patient the best result possible."

  My Upcoming Events and Symposiums

Intramedullary Nail Fixation Technique Videos and Literature

PyroCarbon Hemiarthroplasty Videos and Literature

For additional information about the shoulder, check out denvershoulder.com.

 

Additional Videos

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• • Patient History, Diagnostic
  Testing and Symptoms
• • Rehabilitation and
  Postoperative Restrictions
• • When to Consider Surgery
  for Shoulder Instability
• • Conservative Treatment
  Shoulder Instability
• • The Directions of
  Shoulder Instability
• • Surgical Options for
  Shoulder Instability
• • Rehabilitation after
  Rotator Cuff Surgery
• • What is Shoulder Instability
• • Surgical Treatment for
  Rotator Cuff Tears
• • Conservative Treatment for
  Rotator Cuff Tears

• • Conservative Treatment
  for Rotator Cuff Tears
• • Introduction to
  Rotator Cuff Tears
• • Preparation for
  Rotator Cuff Surgery
• • Surgical Treatment for
  Rotator Cuff Tears
• • Summary of
  Rotator Cuff Tears
• • Rotator Cuff Tears that
  Can't be Repaired
• • Common Problems
  of the Shoulder
• • Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Tears
• • Anatomy and Function
  of the Shoulder Joint
• • Rotator Cuff Tears

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Michael Eby, MD, is an experienced spine surgeon at Western Orthopaedics, providing high-quality orthopedic and spine surgery to people living in and around Denver, Colorado. Dr. Eby was born and raised in the greater Denver area. He began his career pursuits at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, earning his undergraduate degree. 

Next, Dr. Eby enrolled at the Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., obtaining his Doctorate of Medicine. Before entering private practice, Dr. Eby completed a residency at the University of Pennsylvania and a Spine fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. 

During his residency, Dr. Eby also served as Editor-in-Chief of the University of Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Journal. Dr. Eby takes an inclusive and patient-centric approach to treatment. He devotes his time and energy to understanding each individual’s symptoms and goals.

Dr. Eby performs minimally invasive procedures whenever possible, allowing for quicker recoveries and lasting outcomes.

When he isn’t working, Dr. Eby enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He’s also an active outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, biking, and exploring.

Dr. Eby welcomes anyone seeking relief from neck, back, or musculoskeletal pain to Western Orthopaedics today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Benjamin W. Sears, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder and elbow conditions. He currently works with patients throughout Denver and Arvada, Colorado, at Western Orthopaedics, P.C.

A Colorado native, Dr. Sears received his Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Colorado State University in Fort Collins. He then went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Pharmacology from Tulane University in New Orleans, Lousiana. In 2005, he graduated from Loyola University Medical School in Chicago, Illinois, earning his Doctor of Medicine and graduating in the top third of his class.

Dr. Sears stayed at Loyola University to complete his surgical residency in orthopaedics. At Loyola, one of the busiest Level 1 trauma centers in Chicago, Dr. Sears became comfortable in managing acute trauma and fracture care throughout the entire skeleton. He published several original articles on the relationship of the immune-inflammatory response to orthopaedic trauma management. Dr. Sears’ article, “Binge alcohol exposure modulates rodent expression of biomarkers of the immunoinflammatory response to orthopaedic trauma,” was published in the esteemed Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) in 2011. At Loyola, Dr. Sears received formal training in surgical treatments of the hand, hip, knee, and sports injuries, and trained under Dr. Guido Marra, developing an interest in advanced shoulder and elbow surgery.

Following his residency, Dr. Sears was selected to receive advanced training in shoulder and elbow surgery at the prestigious Rothman Institute of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During his fellowship, Dr. Sears trained with some of the most renowned shoulder and elbow surgeons in the country, including Drs. Gerald Williams, Mark Lazarus, Matthew Ramsey, John Fenlin and Charles Getz. This fellowship enabled Dr. Sears to gain vast experience in the clinical and surgical treatment of all facets of shoulder and elbow surgery, ranging from standard rotator cuff repair, to complex primary and revision shoulder and elbow replacements. This training included open and arthroscopic surgical techniques in both the shoulder and elbow.

During the fellowship, Dr. Sears developed a special interest in elbow surgery and sought out additional experience and training in the treatment of elbow injuries and pathology. He subsequently completed two observational fellowships with some of the most renowned elbow surgeons in the world: Drs. Bernard Morrey and Joaquin Sanchez-Sotelo at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and Dr. Graham King at the McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre, Ontario, Canada. This additional training provided Dr. Sears advanced skill in all aspects of elbow surgery, from complex fractures and dislocations, to elbow arthroscopy, to advanced reconstructive procedures including total elbow replacement and biologic interpositional arthroplasty.

After being in practice for three years, Dr. Sears joined Western Orthopaedics in 2014. In addition to their clinical practices, Dr. Sears and Dr. Armodios Hatzadakis work together, along with their full-time clinical research staff, to contribute to advancements in the field of shoulder and elbow surgery. Their ongoing research includes the publication of original research articles as well as leading several FDA clinical trials evaluating the use of pyrocarbon resurfacing technology in shoulder replacements and the clinical use of stemless joint implants.

Dr. Sears is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He is also a candidate member in the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES), and is a reviewer for the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (JSES). 

My Approach to Treating Patients

Dr. Sears’ practice focuses primarily on the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder and elbow injuries and conditions, although he also evaluates patients with fractures, hand injuries, and knee injuries. He chose to gain advanced training in shoulder and elbow surgery because of his interest in the complexity of these joints. He strives to use his accomplished background in treating shoulder and elbow injuries to help his patients increase their physical activity and participate in activities that fulfill their lives. He loves to help patients get back to doing activities they enjoy without pain or limitations.

To find out more about Dr. Sears click here: www.benjaminsearsmd.com 

 

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Total Hip Presentation

Dr. White proves Labral reconstruction is superior to labral repair Dr. White performs his 3000th labral reconstruction

Dec 26, 2019 Back on Course

Janelle Smile breaks world record after Dr. White performed her hip surgery... A Patient guide to Ganz Osteotomy
Are you over 40 years old? Dr. White proves Labral Reconstruction is Superior to Repair.
Click here to read more and to read his study.
An example of Dr. White's labral reconstruction of the hip
Treat the whole person not just the hip
Dr. white strongly believes that hip arthroscopy is a big procedure that should be done in a hospital rather than a surgery center and is very happy with the level of care.

Brian J. White, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic hip surgeon who focuses solely on the diagnosis and treatment of hip conditions at Western Orthopaedics, P.C., in Denver, Colorado. 

Dr. Brian White discusses restoration options.

My path towards Orthopaedics began as a patient. An injury caused me to miss multiple seasons of varsity sports, but a surgery returned me to my senior year of athletics. This solidified my desire to pursue medicine so I could have the ability and skill to do this for others. This personal experience has been my driving motivation within my training and allows me greater understanding and compassion towards my patients. Through my training at the following institutions, I have established a solid core foundation that has allowed me to specialize in the surgical care of the hip joint.

• Washington and Lee University
• Georgetown University School of Medicine
• NYU/Hospital for Joint Diseases – Orthopaedic Surgical Residency
• Steadman/Philippon Research Institute – Fellowship in Sports Medicine

My sole focus at Western Orthopaedics is the hip joint. By specializing on only one joint, this allows for greater precision with surgery and, in turn, superior outcomes. Care is provided for patients beginning in their adolescence ranging to the advanced stages of life. The main surgical procedures that I perform are hip arthroscopy and total hip replacements. Arthroscopic treatment of hip disorders has evolved dramatically and this less invasive procedure allows me to reshape the ball and the cup to treat femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Labral tears can be treated with either advanced repair techniques or with labral reconstruction where a new labrum is made from a graft. Labral reconstruction is an advanced procedure that I apply in situations where a previous hip arthroscopy has failed or the labrum simply is too damaged to allow for a successful repair. It provides a dramatic improvement in pain and function as the labral reconstruction restores the normal biomechanics of the native labrum but should never be able to perceive pain. My goal with all patients is to preserve their hip joint. In some situations, the level of arthritis, or erosion of the cartilage of the joint, makes this impossible. In these patients, a total hip replacement is an excellent option for eliminating pain and restoring function.

As I perform both arthroscopic and replacement surgeries for the hip, I do not have a particular bias. As a patient, I will help you objectively understand your hip pathology and what all of your potential options are. I will help you decide on the surgery that will be the best and most definitive for you.

All patients who have undergone hip arthroscopy since July of 2009 have been enrolled and followed in a database. These results allow me to objectively follow my patients, evolve my labral reconstruction technique, and contribute academically in the field of hip arthroscopy on a global scale. As an educational and product development consultant for Smith and Nephew, Conmed Linvatec, and Biomet, I teach Orthopaedic surgeons across the country cutting edge techniques in hip arthroscopy and specifically how to perform a labral reconstruction. This is done in laboratory and lecture settings and by observation in my operating room. I am not affiliated with a residency or fellowship program. When you trust your hip to my care, I am the one who performs your surgery. I am passionate about my work and am committed to excellence and providing you with the best possible outcome. My team takes pride in our devotion to our patients and the care we provide for their whole person and not just their hip.

Dr. White has been an assistant team physician for the Denver Nuggets and in 2013 was named the official hip physician for their athletes.

Why should you have your hip arthroscopy performed by Dr. White?

Dr. White’s passion and devotion towards the hip joint began with his fellowship with Dr. Philippon. This strong foundation allowed him to focus on the hip joint from the beginning of his career. He started a database in July of 2009 for all of his hip arthroscopy surgeries. He credits his improvement in technique and the direction of his practice to the continued, objective evaluation of his outcomes and data. Specifically, this has validated his technique for allograft labral reconstruction and has allowed him to publish this procedure in the Orthopaedic literature. The fatal flaw with the native, torn labrum is that it is highly innervated with pain fibers and that it is typically injured for a long period of time in patients before surgery is performed. In this situation, attempting to repair this tissue can fail or result in a hip that is still painful. The labral reconstruction is simply different. The labral graft is incorporated by the body, restores the normal biomechanics of a native labrum, but should never have the ability to regain innervation. In other words, it can never feel pain. This is an ideal solution for a very challenging problem, especially in situations where the labrum is not suitable for repair or a previous attempt to repair the labrum has failed.

Experience matters. Simply put, your first surgery represents your best opportunity to be perfect, to return to activity, and to return to the life that allows you to be happy again. He performs on average 430 hip arthroscopies per year, 11 per week, and nearly all of them are labral reconstructions. Approximately 100 of these cases are revision hip arthroscopies with labral reconstruction. In August of 2017, he performed his 2,000th labral reconstruction. The labral reconstruction procedure has incredible potential, but is an extremely difficult and challenging surgery. Performed well it can yield perfect results, performed poorly it can create problems that are difficult to fix. Many equate 10,000 hours to the perfection of a craft. Dr. White spends over 2,500 hours per year in the operating room performing this surgery and has made it reproducible for even the most challenging hip. His passion, devotion, and commitment are felt when you sit in room with him. He takes the responsibility given to him with each patient seriously. He surrounds himself in both the Operating Room and his clinic with similar minded people devoted to a common goal. That goal is to make you perfect and whole again.

Click here to read the article.

Labral Reconstruction 
March 21, 2019 

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• • Curriculum Vitae
• • New Patient Forms
• • Preparing For Surgery
• • Post-Op Instructions
• • My News
• • Patient Testimonials
• • Patient Education

 

Sean Baran, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine and joint replacement surgery. With a special interest in hip and knee disorders, Dr. Baran serves the community of Denver Colorado, at Western Orthopaedics, P.C. Dr. Baran enjoys treating patients of a variety of ages and takes pride in helping his patients maintain an active lifestyle- whether that is helping an athlete get back to sports following an injury or an arthritic patient get back to everyday life in less pain following joint replacement surgery.

Dr. Baran grew up in Monument, Colorado. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he graduated summa cum laude with a major in biochemistry. While at CU, he was a 3-time National Collegiate Wrestling Association national tournament qualifier.

He earned his medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He was awarded membership to Alpha Omega Alpha, and also received the William Winter Memorial Award for outstanding performance in orthopedics from the Univeristy of Colorado Department of Orthopedics.

Dr. Baran completed his internship and residency in Orthopedic Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnestota. While at Mayo Clinic, he served as an administrative chief resident and was honored with the Clinical Competency Award as a graduating resident- an award given to the top resident as selected by the orthopedic staff. Following residency, Dr. Baran completed an additional year of subspecialty training in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. There, he focused on hip arthroscopy, as well as open arthroscopic treatment of knee and shoulder injuries. He also had the opportunity to care for Division I athletes in various sports at the University of Utah, including the Utes football team.

Dr. Baran has contributed to the orthopedic literature with research and publications in medical school, residency, and fellowship. He has presented at multiple local and national meetings and was awarded the "Best Poster- Tumor and Basic Science" at the 2014 American Academy of Orthopedic Surgerons for his work on infection prevention.

My Approach to Treating Patients

I love getting to know my patients so that I can better understand each person’s unique concerns and goals.  I provide a thorough evaluation and then educate each patient about the diagnosis and potential solutions.  I work hard to answer each patient’s questions so that we can work together in pursing care that is focused on satisfaction and outcomes.

To find out more about Dr. Baran click here: www.seanbaranmd.com 

 

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• • Curriculum Vitae
• • New Patient Forms
• • Post-Op Instructions
• • Preparing For Surgery
• • Patient Testimonials
• • Patient Education

 

Raj Bazaz, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic specialist at Western Orthopaedics, P.C., in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Bazaz grew up in Detroit, Michigan. He received his bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University and his medical degree from the University of Michigan. He received his orthopedic training at Case Western Reserve University. Believing in the exciting future of minimally invasive surgery, he did an arthroscopic surgery fellowship at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute. He is board-certified and a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Dr. Bazaz joined Western Orthopaedics, P.C. in 2004 and specializes in the arthroscopic treatment of shoulder/knee disorders, sports medicine, and joint replacement. He follows a patient-first treatment philosophy of setting and keeping appointments, providing thorough evaluations and detailed explanations of patient diagnosis, so patients can be part of the decision-making process. He is a team orthopedic surgeon for The Glendale Raptors. 

My Approach to Treating Patients

I believe it is my privilege to have you as my patient not the other way around.  You deserve certain things when you come to Western Orthopaedics, P.C.  (1) To be seen by me in a timely manner. (2) A thorough evaluation. (3) An explanation of your diagnosis.  When you leave our clinic it is my hope that you understand your diagnosis and treatment options.

 

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About My Practice

Nathanael Heckmann, MD, is a joint replacement surgeon who treats patients in Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena, and throughout California. He is also the director of arthroplasty research and is an associate professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Southern California’s (USC) Keck School of Medicine.

Dr. Heckmann received his undergraduate degree in biochemistry and philosophy at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and his medical degree at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). He completed an internship and residency in orthopaedic surgery at USC, and a fellowship in adult reconstruction at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois.

In addition to performing surgery, Dr. Heckmann actively conducts research and has published over 250 peer-reviewed research papers, 17 book chapters, and has presented his research over 360 times as podium and poster presentations at national and international orthopaedic surgery conferences. He is a member of The Knee Society and The Hip Society, and holds leadership positions at the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

Dr. Heckmann offers a wide range of treatment options, from nonsurgical and minimally invasive techniques, to more extensive surgical procedures including revision arthroplasty when necessary. Using state-of-the-art surgical technologies, Dr. Heckmann's services are at the forefront of orthopedic advances. They include robotic-assisted surgery and computer-navigation for select knee and hip replacement surgeries.  

Patients who partner with Nathanael Heckmann, MD, benefit from leading orthopedic care when they need it most. Call the practice or book an appointment online today.

 

Keck Medicine Provider

Keck Medicine Faculty