Dr. Cunningham, 

Thank you for taking the time to meet with Trason and I about BEAR. I appreciate your insight on various past and present repair techniques. I also loved how involved your staff were. I hope you get the opportunity to see you again before I move! 

Best,

Alina

Dr. Cunningham & Crew, 

You guys are the best! We appreciate your hard work soo much! Thank you!

Tommy + Amy Jenkins

Doctor Richard Cunningham, 

I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to look at my knee, twice now. You have always been so kind and caring when I see you in the gym or around the valley. You always check in on my and at times don’t change me. So thank you very much for all you do! 

Much love, 

Hannah Ellison

Dr. Cunningham & Crew, 

You guys are the best! We appreciate your hard work soo much! Thank you!

Tommy + Amy Jenkins

Thank you for being such a great person and helping me as much as you have. It really means the world to me. I hope your selflessness inspires generations to come. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

-Kyle Songer

Man, we’re grateful for the whole Cunningham team! The team’s kindness, responsiveness, and knowledge far exceeded our best hopes. We moved thousands of miles away last year to Texas, but coming back to this practice for care was still a no-brainer. 

Thanks so much, 

Daniel Lynch

Dear Dr. Cunningham, 

I wanted to let you know that I just finished my first skiing season after my surgery a year ago. Everything went very well. I had no issues with my knee, the brace you recommended helped to feel more secure. I was so happy to be back on the trails. Thank you again for your excellent car. Stay safe and well. Greetings to your medical team.

“Thank you so much for fixing my knee, and allowing me to get back to sports my senior year.”

“I’ve seen Dr. Cunningham and staff twice, once for each Shoulder within the last five years, I’m a active duty Colorado Army National Guard helicopter mechanic at the High Altitude Aviation training Site (HAATS). I have full range of motion in both shoulders! I can’t say enough about their quality of care and professionalism! Dr. Cunningham, Erika, Victoria and Chad are the best of the BEST! I would not go to anybody else for a shoulder or knee injury. Dr Cunningham should be your “ Go to Doc”. He’s definitely mine!”

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with Dr. Cunningham and his team on a professional level as a physical therapist and as a patient (myself and my husband). Not only is Dr. Cunningham a very skilled surgeon with phenomenal outcomes, he has a team that goes above and beyond to care for their patients. Communication to/from them as a PT is prompt and thoughtful with respect shown for me and my opinions as a professional. They have also shown patience above and beyond with their patients, routinely taking the time to answer all questions, regardless of how small. I’ve enjoyed working with Dr Cunningham, Matt and Greg over the past 7 years and hope to continue this relationship for many years to come. With a very physically active family, I expect we may need their professional assistance again and we won’t hesitate to call Dr Cunningham.”

We appreciate this patient story from a mother of a 16-year-old from Mexico City who came to Dr. Cunningham for ACL Repair Surgery. Our team is so glad to know she’s doing great!

“I want to take the opportunity to thank you again for Marielle’s [ACL repair] surgery. She is now in a boarding school in Switzerland. She is feeling great and she’s back to skiing again.”

(Marielle pictured here in a red jacket on the ski slopes with friends).

Sherry Graham back to skijoring after meniscus surgery.

“Dr. Cunningham and Gang at VSO, Thank You!”

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with Dr. Cunningham and his team on a professional level as a physical therapist and as a patient (myself and my husband). Not only is Dr. Cunningham a very skilled surgeon with phenomenal outcomes, he has a team that goes above and beyond to care for their patients. Communication to/from them as a PT is prompt and thoughtful with respect shown for me and my opinions as a professional. They have also shown patience above and beyond with their patients, routinely taking the time to answer all questions, regardless of how small. I’ve enjoyed working with Dr Cunningham, Matt and Greg over the past 7 years and hope to continue this relationship for many years to come. With a very physically active family, I expect we may need their professional assistance again and we won’t hesitate to call Dr Cunningham.”

“This is Rob Trimble. You probably don’t remember me, but I remember you! On January 3, 2014 I brought my 15 yr old son to Vail Valley Medical Center after having his right quadricep tendon severed in a freak snowboarding accident while my family was on vacation. You happened to be on call that evening, and you were the one who took on the challenge of repairing my boy. I am very thankful that you were “that guy” that evening! It has been a long road, but after a little over a year my son Fiver is almost back to 100% and is playing on the Varsity baseball team this year as a Sophomore. I just wanted to say Thank you again to both you and all the staff there at Vail Valley Med Center who took care of Fiver. My wife and I will not forget the treatment we received from all of you during a very difficult time for us far from home. Here’s a couple of pics that would not have been possible without the care you provided!!”

“Dr. Cunningham, thanks for getting me back on the cover!”

Brendan Gerard is a professional snowboarder who came to see Dr. Cunningham for a revision ACL reconstruction, MCL reconstruction and meniscus repair. He is now back to competitive snowboarding and here he is featured on the cover of Snowboard Colorado magazine.

“After seeing Dr. Cunningham, I was advised to undergo a knee surgery to repair my torn meniscus and clean up the damaged cartilage. At first I didn’t want to undergo the procedure, as I was afraid it would hinder my halfpipe training and limit my performance in competition in the upcoming winter season. Dr. Cunningham reassured me that with consistent rehab and dedication to post-surgery recovery I would be back to skiing in no time.

After the surgery I made sure to rest my leg, stay on top of icing it, and keep it elevated. During my follow-up appointment Dr. Cunningham gave me the confidence that recovery was coming well, and the strength of my knee was quickly returning. With follow up physical therapy, he said I would be able to return to skiing by the second competition at the Dew Tour in Breckenridge, Colorado, just six weeks from the surgery.

Fortunately with my hard work at the gym and physical therapy, I ended up strong and ready to compete a week earlier at the first competition, the Grand Prix at Copper Mountain. My knee is currently feeling strong, and I continue working out everyday to improve my strength. I am now confident with my knee’s performance and ready for the next Dew Tour stop in Killington, Vermont in mid-January 2012.”

“Thanks Dr. Cunningham for getting me back to rock climbing.”

Mike Brumbaugh is an accomplished rock climber who had knee surgery by Dr. Cunningham and is doing well. Mike owns Venture Sports in Avon, CO. He was recently featured in Rock Climbing Magazine.

“33 year old Maggie Silvers was on a run in October 2009 when she felt a sharp, burning pain everytime she bent her knee. “It hurt so bad that day I thought my knee was actually breaking,” remembers the Edwards resident who moved to the Vail Valley in 2008 from Tennessee. “That was the day I decided to seek treatment.”

Maggie, who started running competitively when she was 10 years old, says her knee also hurt when she would walk up and down steps and when she would casually sit with her leg bent. “I was the typical old school runner – ‘just run’. However, I didn’t pay attention to my mechanics and ignored all the signs and warnings that my body was sending out to me. I would certainly go back in time if I could and focus on strengthening my glutes.

A physical therapist eventually referred her to Dr. Rick Cunningham. “After meeting Dr. Cunningham, he didn’t want to jump into surgery but it was my choice and since he had performed IT band surgery before, I knew I was making the best decision,” explains Maggie. “He had a very professional and calm demeanor that gave me the confidence that I needed in making my decision.” After meeting with VSO’s staff, Maggie says she became knowledgeable of her injury and how they occur.

According to Dr. Cunningham, Iliotibial band (IT) syndrome is a common cause of pain on the outside or lateral side of the knee. He sees it commonly in patients who are runners and cyclists where the knee undergoes repetitive flexion and extension.

The IT band is a dense fibrous band of connective tissue that runs all the way from the side of pelvis down to the side of the knee. The IT band acts to either extend or flex the knee depending on what angle the knee is positioned in, while also providing some added stability to the knee.

“In the office, patients with IT band tendonitis have pain over the lateral side of their knee just above their joint line,” says Dr. Cunningham. “Oftentimes, I can feel some ‘creaking’ as I palpate this area and move the knee. I obtain a radiograph of the knee to be sure there is no knee arthritis or other conditions that could be contributing to the lateral-sided knee pain. An MRI is usually unnecessary but in cases where I have them to review, they typically show thickening of the IT band with a fluid collection deep to it.”

“No one wants surgery but I must say I could do this procedure again because the recovery was a breeze, only six weeks of no cardio and I didn’t even need crutches! I haven’t had any complications since the surgery and that was 5 years ago.”

Maggie, who picked up road biking and trail running when she moved to Colorado, says the summer after surgery she was able to do her longest ride of 80 miles to Breckenridge from Avon and back. “That’s over Vail Pass twice!” she adds.

“My advice for anyone who is skeptical and afraid to get the ‘dreaded news’ of an injury is to seek treatment immediately if you believe you are injured. Dr. Cunningham and his staff are the very best at what they do! Running is my life, and he gave me my life back. Thanks VSO!!!”

“Doc up to challenge

Twenty-two broken bones, three concussions, three knee surgeries, a left rotator cuff surgery, two neck surgeries, plates with screws and a piece of my hip included.

No, I was not in a car wreck – just being a full-time women’s and girls’ self-defense expert and a martial artist for over 26 years is not easy on the body, especially for a 5-foot-2, 120-pound woman.

I was told by my doctor seven years ago on the East Coast, after the second surgery, I would have to get a knee replacement soon. So I opted for a big metal knee brace for seven years.

Then it happened. The day finally came when I asked around to see who was the best of the best here, and I was told Dr. Richard Cunningham.

A big “thank you” for that advice. You were all right. The first thing I said to Cunningham is “I am not a good patient. I am fully booked through Nov. 11. My book is released on April 12. My first signing is in May, and Safe House films is going to be directing a theatrical movie about my life. My first seminars start on April 5, and is this going to be outpatient?”

Of course, that got a big smile out of Cunningham.

My surgery was March 7th for a partial knee replacement, and I was on the plane to San Diego State University to teach 110 young college students rape-escape techniques four weeks and four days later. Three months late, I was certifying black belts from 23 states and Australia at the Century Martial Arts SuperShow in Las Vegas.

I just finished my last seminar for this year on Nov. 9. It was my 171st seminar I completed in the last eight years with more than 15,000 women and girls to date and now the Girl Scouts with the first statewide initiative Fight Like a Girl Scout.

No one can be a success on their own. When you depend on your body for your job, make your first appointment with Vail Summit Orthopaedics.

Thanks so much, everyone involved. I can’t remember all of your names, but I remember your kindness, and I highly recommend Vail Summit Orthopaedics and Vail Valley Medical Center.

A big “thank you” to Cunningham and to Mary Witt, my physical therapist!

I couldn’t have done it without everyone involved. This valley is full of kind people. I just wanted everyone to know how much I appreciated everything, neighbors, friends – just everyone!”

“Being an athlete my whole life, I felt pretty lucky that up until now I had not sustained a major injury that required surgery. All that changed in the summer of 2011 when my knee finally gave out playing tennis. I grew up alpine ski racing in the East coast and eventually found myself training and traveling the globe with the US Ski Team. I have not been a stranger to training hard and challenging myself to the limits, so when Dr. Cunningham told me my knee required meniscus surgery, I replied, “…but the thing is, I have a triathlon in 51 days!” Turns out I spent that 51st day in rehab! I was determined to turn my devastation into determination!

My experience with Dr. Cunningham and his staff at Vail Summit Orthopedics far exceeded my expectations. I felt that everyone involved in the process really and truly listened to my needs, fears and goals about the outcome I wanted to achieve. He worked closely with Avalanche Physical Therapy to help me achieve those goals of coming back to the ski world where I currently coach Alpine racing with Team Breck Sports Club and also teach private lessons at Vail Mountain Ski Resort.

Through this process I learned that when you have a full and active life you may take risks and push yourself to limits unknown. Dr. Cunningham is committed to and understands his patients being an athlete himself. He approaches each of his patients individually and carefully. Thank you Dr. Cunningham and the amazing Physical Therapy staff for listening to my needs and your realistic approach to surgery and recovery!”

“6 months after right shoulder surgery. Thanks for the great job!”

“I thought I would give you an update on Jack. His knee has continued to feel very good – no pain!! And, he has been skiing very well. This past weekend was Prater Cup at Crested Butte, the qualifier for Jr. Olympics, where he placed first overall. He is very pleased.

I finally secured a good picture of Jack. It is from the Can-Am’s, which were held last weekend at Mont Tremblant (near Montreal), where he placed 7th in the GS and 18th in the SL. The competition there was strong and deep.

At the Regional Championships (for both the Rocky Mountain and Central Divisions) held at Steamboat in mid-March, Jack was second overall.

Again, I want to thank you for your sound advice on how to handle Jack’s knee. Since returning to snow in mid-late January, he has had no issues with it, which allowed him to train hard for the balance of the season.

Cheers”

“Hello!

I told Dr. Cunningham that I would be inspired to write a patient testimony as soon as I went on my first mountain bike ride after my hamstring repair surgery. Well, the day finally came this Monday, January 2nd, 2012 – a little over five months after Dr. Cunningham surgically re-attached my avulsed hamstring.

I knew it the second it happened – I was horsing around with friends on the Fourth of July, when I performed a most ill-fated dance move not to be attempted by anything other than accomplished gymnasts, yogis, and the like. When I did the splits, I heard and felt a “POP” in my groin area and instantly knew that my summer was OVER. As a newly-christened sponsored professional triathlete, I was devastated, to say the least.

As it turned out, I had completely avulsed my ischial tuberosity. Or, tore the hamstring off of the pelvis, in layman’s terms. Once Dr. Cunningham had a clear picture of my injury via MRI, he set the wheels in motion, and I was in surgery days later. I was impressed by the expeditious manner in which he set about the repair. I was even more impressed and ever-so-relieved when, after surgery, Dr. Cunningham felt “extremely confident” in his repair and that he felt it was the “best repair” of this injury that he had performed.

As I embark on training for the 2012 Xterra and mountain bike race season, I can honestly say that I will soon be 100% and back to doing what I love at the level in which I am accustomed to performing. It has been a long road to recovery, but I am so glad that I put my care in the hands of Dr. Cunningham and Vail Summit Orthopaedic. The gratitude I have is immeasurable.”

“On Christmas Eve of 2009 I tore my ACL and damaged my medial meniscus while skiing at Vail. As a professional ski patroller on Vail Mountain and avid cyclist I was devastated by the incident as I thought I might never approach these 2 sports the way I like to. Thanks to Dr. Cunningham and his staff at Vail Summit Orthopedics I am back skiing and riding as aggressively as before 2009. Dr. Cunningham, his PA Mike Outslay, and the staff at VSO put me at ease in regards to the surgical process, diligently answering my many questions, and always available to lessen my concerns after the surgery.”

“Dear Richard, Much Appreciated.”

“Playing golf and making birdies!!! Knee holding fine! Yesterday dance salsa and merengue! Perfect and progressing!”

*Cesar Herrera flew in from the Dominican Republic to have surgery.*

“In the summer of 2009, Matt Norfleet was guiding a group of whitewater rafters down a particularly treacherous stretch of the Colorado River’s Gore Canyon called Tunnel Falls. As the raft went over the falls, the bottom of the boat dropped out and Mike’s leg got caught under the raft’s cross-tube. He was thrown forward but his leg didn’t come with him. Mike heard a snap, so he knew things were bad. He was in shock and thought he broke his leg. Another guide jumped into the boat and got the raft to shore. As a trained EMT, Mike was able to assess his injury. He couldn’t feel any abnormalities in his leg meaning it was most likely soft-tissue damage and no broken bones. After managing to guide the raft through the rest of the run, Matt went directly to the ER. His knee was swollen badly and he couldn’t walk.

At the hospital, Matt was told how serious of an injury he had sustained. He had suffered serious trauma to his right knee with multiple torn ligaments… including his ACL, his LCL, and his popliteal or posterior ligament. Matt had also suffered damage to his bicep. He had stretched the nerves in his knee as far as they could go and would need to undergo massive reconstructive knee surgery.

Matt, who spends his summers as a raft-guide and his winters as a ski patroller at Arapahoe Basin, says he knew he wanted to see Dr. Richard Cunningham. “He had done the knees of a few ski patrollers I know and they said he was great.” At the initial consultation, Matt says Dr. Cunningham was very honest about Matt’s situation. “He told me I wouldn’t be able to ski that next season; I was crushed.” That’s when Matt realized how close he came to never being able to do the things he loves to do again.

In the past, injuring more than one knee ligament would put an end to future sports activities. Today, many athletes are able to return to high level sports following multiple ligament injuries.

Injuring multiple ligaments can have serious complications. They can disrupt blood supply to the leg. They can also affect the nerves that supply the muscles of the limb. Dr. Cunningham suggested repairing the damage in two separate surgeries. The first surgery was performed right away to repair Matt’s torn LCL, popliteal and bicep.

Two months later, Dr. Cunningham repaired Matt’s badly torn ACL using a break-through technique called a “Double-Bundle”. Dr. Cunningham says this new technique is stronger and provides better knee stability than the usual single bundle technique by more closely restoring a normal knee’s biomechanics. The technique has created quite a buzz amongst local physical therapists. “Several therapists have mentioned that patients are getting their range of motion, stability, and strength back faster than other ACL patients in rehab,” says Dr. Cunningham.

Throughout his ordeal, Matt says Dr. Cunningham and his staff, including physician assistant Mike Outslay were “awesome.” “Dr. Cunningham is an amazing surgeon and Mike was great at telling me what to expect until my next appointment. He gives you a real personal connection.”

Committed to getting back to skiing and rafting, Matt didn’t miss one single physical therapy session. He was cleared five-six weeks early. He guided rafting that next summer and was back on the slopes the following winter. “I really had no problems considering the severity of my injuries. It hasn’t held me back at all. I am ecstatic with my outcome and really grateful. I guess I didn’t realize how close I came to not being able to come back at all.”

“At first, Bethany McGee thought she was fine after being hit by an out-of-control skier at Beaver Creek ski area. “I thought I just pulled a muscle or something,” the avid skier recalls. After trying to ski about 10 yards down the mountain however, Bethany realized her leg was ‘dangling’ from her body below her knee. Thankfully a friend, who happens to be a ski patroller, caught up with her and radioed down for a sled.

By the time Bethany arrived at the medical center, the pain started to set it. The medical staff told her she probably injured her ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). They gave her a pair of crutches and a brace and told her to go see an orthopaedic surgeon for an MRI.

After asking around for a referral, two people she knew recommended Dr. Rick Cunningham, an expert in the latest surgical techniques for treating sports injuries of the knee. “These were people I trusted so I knew I was making the right choice,” says Bethany.

She called Vail-Summit Orthopaedics and was able to get in to see Dr. Cunningham the next day. An MRI revealed a completely torn ACL; Bethany would need surgery. All she could think about was her upcoming month-long trip to Australia. “Dr. Cunningham was great; he was so calming and so understanding. He explained that I didn’t need to have the surgery right away and that I could wait until after my trip.”

Upon her return, Bethany called to make another appointment with Dr. Cunningham. “The front office staff was great; they looked up his schedule right then and there to find a time that worked best for me. They were polite and professional.” During her office visit, Dr. Cunningham took the time to go over her options for surgery. “He was really good at explaining all the different ways he could repair my ACL.”

There are three common procedures used to repair damaged ACLs; surgeons either use a strip of the patient’s patellar tendon, a tendon from the patient’s hamstring, or an ACL from a human cadaver. “He went through the pros and cons of all the techniques and explained everything; he was very thorough – even drawing me a picture of where my scars would be,” remembers Bethany. “You feel more comfortable when you’re involved in making a decision in your own surgery.” Together they decided on the hamstring procedure. “It’s a stronger repair that will hold up for a longer time.”

Bethany says the surgery was no big deal. The recovery however, was long and hard. “Physical therapy is so important. I would go in so swollen and in so much pain, but after an hour I would leave feeling great,” says Bethany. “They push you in order to get you back to doing the things you love.” Bethany went to physical therapy 2-3 times a week for several months.

Even though she didn’t need to, Bethany took the next winter off from skiing, “I was scared, my knee felt great but it was a mental thing,” recalls Bethany. Today, she’s skiing more than before her accident and has taken up telemark skiing. She never thinks about her knee, even while she was climbing Mt. Kilamanjaro less than two years after her surgery.”

“Judd Santry says at first he didn’t think much of it when his ski tips crossed and he went down. It was March of 2008 and the Arapahoe Basin ski area was in the midst of a typical freeze-melt cycle when the snow freezes up and turns firm at night and then softens up during the day, creating the threat of avalanche.

As a ski patroller, Judd was checking the snow quality along with another patroller before opening up a run. “It happened so fast, I just hooked my skis and went down. I got up right away and didn’t notice anything. But then I went over a little mound and felt something strange when my knees came up toward me. Not much pain, but sort of a strain in the back of my knee and my leg felt kind of loose.”

Still, Judd thought it was just a tweak and wanted to wait a few days to see if it would get better. Everyone kept telling him to get it checked out. Then, while walking down a flight of stairs, Judd slightly hyper-extended his knee and felt a sensation he had never felt before. He decided to go in for an MRI and sure enough, he had torn his ACL and would need surgery.

Judd’s reaction was one of disbelief; he thought they were looking at someone else’s knee. “It was a freak accident. I must have fallen like that 500 times before and never injured myself,” he recalls. “It’s a harsh reality when you’re told you can’t do the one thing you love to do for several months.” To make matters worse, Judd says it snowed for 11 straight days after he injured his knee.

Judd chose to have his surgery performed by Dr. Richard Cunningham. Working at his other job as a critical care technician in the emergency room at St. Anthony’s Summit Medical Center, Judd had met Dr. Cunningham several times and was well aware of his excellent reputation as a full-service knee and shoulder specialist with particular expertise in ACL reconstruction.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is probably the most commonly injured ligament of the knee. It connects the femur (thighbone) to the tibia (shin bone). The main goal of ACL surgery is to keep the tibia from moving too far forward under the femur bone and to get the knee functioning normally again.

Most surgeons favor using a piece of tendon or ligament to replace the torn ACL. Prior to surgery, Judd did some research and discovered he would be an ideal candidate for an auto graft where tissue from his own body is used to repair the ligament. Judd knew of other patrollers who had undergone an auto graft transplant and they all felt they ended up with a stronger knee because of it.

Dr. Cunnningham has followed the research on ACL grafts closely. He ascribes to the practice of attaching grafts at their original insertion points where the reproduction of native attachments ensures a better outcome.

Dr. Cunningham chose to repair Judd’s knee using the new “double-bundle” reconstructive technique. The ACL is comprised of two separate functional bundles of fascicles, not a single cord. Dr. Cunningham says traditional ACL reconstruction treats the ligament as though it were a single construct, replicating one of the functional bundles but not the other. With the double-bundle technique, the ACL is restored using two bundles. Dr. Cunningham performs the surgery using an arthroscope, a small fiber-optic TV camera that is used to see and operate inside the joint.

Judd makes no bones about it; he says his surgery and the subsequent recovery that followed were rough. “It was six months of pain,” he recalls. As a child Judd suffered from night terrors and for some reason, the pain medication brought back the terrors.

Judd remembers his physical therapy sessions being particularly painful. “It’s frustrating when your knee won’t move more than an inch.” Still, he chose an aggressive PT schedule because he was committed to making a full recovery and regaining full range of motion in his knee. Less than six months after surgery, Judd was back on his skis.

“Everyone who worked with me at VSO was great. I never had any problems getting in, my wait times were 10-15 minutes at the most,” says Judd. “I was unbelievably fortunate to have surgery up here where the quality of doctors is so fantastic. I hope I never have to have surgery again, but if I do, I will definitely go back to Vail-Summit Orthopaedics.”

“The day I tore my ACL & meniscus in the Blue Sky Basin in Vail, I was devastated. It was a bluebird day but the base was insufficient & I hit what turned out to be a downed birch tree. I went flying & knew immediately that the tendons holding my knee together were no longer intact. As an athlete & overall very active individual, it was a terrifying feeling. I thought my life would change forever.

Luckily, the physical therapist at the Howard Head Clinic at Vail Valley Medical Center recommended Dr. Richard Cunningham of Vail Summit Orthopaedics. I injured myself on a Saturday. By 8pm that evening I had a voicemail and email from Dr. Cunningham. He had me in for an MRI the following Monday and invited me to review the results that same day. This instant & thorough follow up was so comforting during this scary time and immediately cemented my decision to have Dr. Cunningham perform my repair, even though I live across the country in NYC.

As this was my first surgery ever, I was a basket case going in. Dr. Cunningham and Matt Cain, PA-C, came in during pre-op and answered my many questions patiently and comprehensively. Dr. Cunningham performed a delicate repair on the area, a terrific outcome that will benefit me greatly in the long run as I continue to pursue my favorite sports of skiing, surfing, biking, and running.

It goes without saying that I hope no one who reads this gets hurt. But if you do, you should definitely put your injured limb in the very capable and talented hands of Richard Cunningham, MD and Matt Cain, PA-C.”

“Thanks for fixing my meniscus Dr. Cunningham. I am back to making telemark turns :-)”

Vail Resorts Nordic Ski School Director says, “Successful full knee replacement out having fun in the Backcountry.”

“Hard to believe, but it’s been two full years since my total surgery. You had asked me back then to send you a short progress note. Although this is a bit tardy, I’m just delighted to report that this summer, I’ve logged over 1000 miles on my new bike! I had never ridden that much in one season, and I’m just so happy to be able to put this back into my life. My knee feels great! Attached is a picture, taken last Fall, of me and my new, but now well ridden, bike.Hope you had a great summer.All the best to you and the staff.”

“To Dr. Rick Cunningham, The Best Doctor “In The Knee Joint”..

I want to apologize for the long delay in getting back to you with my feedback on my new knees. As Susan & I have moved to our Florida home as our primary residence we have been busy with business, travel, fishing and a great overall active lifestyle. Time flies when you are having a good time and it has been 16 months now since you replaced both my knees AND gave me my active life totally back!

The knees are GREAT, as if I never had arthritis and never had them replaced. I come across many people down here with new knees and none of them, I repeat, none of them have had as good, no make that great, experience I have.

From the moment we discussed and agreed to do both knees at the same time, through the surgery, post op recovery, both in hospital and onwards this has been a piece of cake. As you recall at my 6 month visit I had NO pain and the progress was great. I am now 16 months since surgery and still can say no pain, no setbacks and I am living a fully active lifestyle fishing, golfing, riding my Harley (been doing that since 2 months after surgery), traveling, working out 6 days a week, just living life large!

The Team Cunningham approach to joint replacement is fantastic! The pre-op physical therapy program you put me on gave me strength and conditioning that played a major role in my success. Remember, I walked into your office to have the staples removed 10 days after surgery WITHOUT a walker or crutches! The post-op physical therapy developed between your team and Howard Head PT enabled me to continue on a rapid, pain free recovery and development. I have incorporated many of those exercises into my regular workout routines. The personal trainers, friends and therapists at my health club down here were and continue to be amazed at my experience. And, oh yeah, they can’t get over the lack of scaring on my knees I tell them it is the work of Dr. Rick Cunningham, his team and Vail Summit Orthopedics. You folks are in an elite class of Orthopedic specialists. I see many people with knee replacements and none have had anywhere close to the experience I have been fortunate to have.

I tell inquiring minds that if they are currently or ever considering joint replacement surgery the need to go see Dr. Rick Cunningham at Vail Summit Orthopedics in the beautiful Vail Valley.

As closing this note, I want to again extend my sincere thanks for giving me such a great lifestyle back in the most pleasant experience one could ever have from such a major undertaking. I promise to come in and say hi to all of you when we visit the valley.

I am attaching a picture of one of my recent fishing ventures in Costa Rica where I had to really rely on these knees to haul this beauty in and one from a Snook in my “back yard” fishing hole that also tested the bending at the knees!

Please give a big hello to Brian Davis and Greg Schlossinger.

With warmest regards and mountains of thanks”

“Greg Abernathy was told he needed a new knee 15 years ago. The longtime Summit County local had been playing hard on his knees for much of his life, tearing his interior meniscus while playing college football, and in later years, skiing and playing rugby. In 1993 he went in for arthroscopic surgery. His doctor at the time told him, “one day you’ll be able to get a new knee, but right now there’s not much we can do for you.”Major advancements in artificial knee replacement in recent years have improved the effectiveness and outcome of the surgery greatly, as well as allowing younger, more active patients to benefit from the procedure.Even with the recent advances, Greg put off the surgery as long as he could. For years, he managed his knee pain through anti-inflammatory steroid shots including cortisone injection shots and hyaluronic acid. But his twin brother and two friends all had knee replacement surgery and were all doing great; Greg knew it was time.When it came time to scheduling the surgery, the owner of Lone Star Sports in Breckenridge knew he would go to Vail-Summit Orthopaedics. He had three other procedures done by surgeons at VSO and is a big fan of the practice. “They treat me so well. It’s incredible how they’ve dealt with me over the years,” says Greg. “I recognize the voice of every person who answers the phone; I know them all. I tell everyone I talk to about VSO.”As for which physician he would choose, Greg did his research by asking around for referrals; everyone directed him to Dr. Richard Cunningham, an expert in both partial and total knee replacements who performs more knee replacements than any other orthopaedic surgeon in Eagle or Summit counties.Greg was able to schedule his surgery when he knew it would it would have the least impact on his ski and snowboard rental business. Greg’s surgery took approximately two hours. Dr. Cunningham removed the damaged cartilage and bone and then positioned the new metal and plastic joint surfaces to restore the alignment and function of his knee.Greg said his recovery went much better than he expected. “Everyone kept telling me to take it easy, but I was walking within two weeks of surgery.” He was back to work quicker than he expected. “I surprised a lot of people.”

12 weeks after surgery, Greg asked Dr. Cunningham if he could ski. He buckled up his boots and walked around, something he hadn’t been able to do in years. The next morning, he skinned up the mountain and took a run down. “I was as happy as I could be,” recalls the avid 62 year old skier. “To have had so much pain for so long, it’s a miracle.”

Greg still has some mobility limitations with his knee due to scar tissue. More than 90% of individuals who undergo total knee replacement experience a dramatic reduction of knee pain and a significant improvement in the ability to perform common activities of daily living. But total knee replacement will not turn patients into a super-athlete or allow them to do more than they could before they developed arthritis or before their injury.

Most patients are advised to avoid some types of activity, including jogging and high-impact sports, for the rest of their life.

Nevertheless, Greg is so impressed with his outcome; he’s decided to get his other knee done. “It’s going to be sad when I get my other knee done because I’m going to miss all the folks at VSO,” says Abernathy.”

“My treatment by Dr. Cunningham, the staff at Vail-Summit Orthopedics, and St. Anthony’s Hospital in Frisco was exemplary and the recovery about what I expected. I am grateful to all involved for helping to ensure a good outcome. I recently did a big alpine touring ski trip to a remote camp in the Canadian Rockies.”