Thank you for the successful operation on my knee - it was a very tenuous time & knowing I would make a full recovery along with the clear explanation prior to the procedure eased the scariness. I look forward to continue PT with the Centre - Marc & Caryn are top-notch, much like everyone else in the Surgery Center, Ortho clinic, & PT office. Thank you Dr. Chen & assistants for the amazing care.

Dr. Austin Chen believes that physical therapy is a vital component to the healing process after injury or following orthopedic and surgical interventions. That is why Dr. Austin Chen’s office at the Boulder Centre for Orthopedics has a physical therapy office right in the building. That way all patients have seamless care from surgery through recovery.

After you return home from surgery, it is best to be prepared for your recovery. Your daily life may look a bit differently, and you may encounter some challenges that you did not have before. Simple daily tasks like going to the bathroom, showering, getting in and out of bed, and making food may be difficult depending on your type of surgery. For these reasons, it is important to prepare so that your recovery is as seamless as possible. Here...

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We know your time with Dr. Austin Chen is important, so in order to make it the most effective here are a few things to help you to prepare for it.

The acromioclavicular joint (AC joint) is where the collarbone (clavicle) meets the highest point of the shoulder blade (acromion). The joint is held together by three strong ligaments and possesses cartilage that covers the ends of both bones

The shoulder joint is the body's most mobile joint. It can turn in many directions. But, this advantage also makes the shoulder an easy joint to dislocate. A partial dislocation (subluxation) means the head of the upper arm bone (humerus) is partially out of the socket (glenoid). A complete dislocation means it is all the way out of the socket. Both partial and complete dislocations cause pain and unsteadiness in the shoulder.

The upper end of the biceps muscle has two tendons that attach it to bones in the shoulder. The long head attaches to the top of the shoulder socket (glenoid). The short head attaches to a bump on the shoulder blade called the coracoid process. There are two types of biceps tendon tears, partial or complete. Surgical treatment is rarely needed for a long head of the biceps tendon tear.

Your shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint made up of three bones: your upper arm bone (humerus), your shoulder blade (scapula), and your collarbone (clavicle). The head of the upper arm bone fits into a shallow socket in your shoulder blade. Strong connective tissue, called the shoulder capsule, surrounds the joint.

A clavicle fracture is also known as a broken collarbone. A fairly common injury, most fractures occur when a fall onto the shoulder or an outstretched arm puts enough pressure on the bone that it snaps or breaks. This can happen in sports like mountain biking, football, lacrosse, hockey, biking, skateboarding, and skiing. A broken collarbone can be very painful and can make it hard to move your arm.

The shoulder labrum is a piece of soft cartilage in the socket-shaped joint in your shoulder bone. It essentially deepens the socket, creating a suction seal of the joint and connects the two joints.A group of four muscles called the rotator cuff helps the labrum keep the ball in the socket. This allows your upper arm to rotate. Repetitive motion and injuries can tear the labrum, often causing pain.

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that come together as tendons to form a covering around the head of the upper arm bone. The rotator cuff attaches the upper arm bone to the shoulder blade and helps to lift and rotate your arm.

Impingement syndrome is condition commonly seen in aging adults. Impingement involves the contact or rubbing of two bony structures, which can create bone spurring and degenerative changes of the joint. As a result, bursitis, inflammation, and sometimes the tearing of the rotator cuff can occur which causes pain.

The acromioclavicular joint (AC joint) is where the collarbone (clavicle) meets the highest point of the shoulder blade (acromion). The joint is held together by three strong ligaments and possesses cartilage that covers the ends of both bones.

The upper end of the biceps muscle has two tendons that attach it to bones in the shoulder. The long head attaches to the top of the shoulder socket (glenoid). The short head attaches to a bump on the shoulder blade called the coracoid process. Through a traumatic injury or overuse, the biceps tendon can tear or become inflamed.

A clavicle fracture is also known as a broken collarbone. A fairly common injury, most fractures occur when a fall onto the shoulder or an outstretched arm puts enough pressure on the bone that it snaps or breaks. This can happen in sports like football, lacrosse, hockey, biking, skateboarding, and skiing. It is also a very common bike injury.

Your shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint made up of three bones: your upper arm bone (humerus), your shoulder blade (scapula), and your collarbone (clavicle). The head of the upper arm bone fits into a shallow socket in your shoulder blade. Strong connective tissue, called the shoulder capsule, surrounds the joint.

The shoulder labrum is a piece of soft cartilage in the socket-shaped joint in your shoulder bone. It essentially deepens the socket, creating a suction seal of the joint and connects the two joints. A group of four muscles called the rotator cuff helps the labrum keep the ball in the socket. This allows your upper arm to rotate. Repetitive motion and injuries can tear the labrum, often causing pain.

Your shoulder is made up of three bones: your upper arm bone (humerus), your shoulder blade (scapula), and your collarbone (clavicle). The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint: the ball, or head, of your upper arm bone fits into a shallow socket in your shoulder blade. Your arm is kept in your shoulder socket by your rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that come together as tendons to form a covering around the head of the...

The shoulder joint is the body's most mobile joint. It can turn in many directions. But, this advantage also makes the shoulder an easy joint to dislocate. A partial dislocation (subluxation) means the head of the upper arm bone (humerus) is partially out of the socket (glenoid). A complete dislocation means it is all the way out of the socket.

One of the most common physical complaints is shoulder pain. Your shoulder is made up of several joints combined with tendons and muscles that allow a great range of motion in your arm. Because so many different structures make up the shoulder, it is vulnerable to many different problems.

Stem cell therapy is most certainly one of the most talked about non-surgical procedures emerging in the orthopedic world. It has been claimed to manage special and compulsive injuries within the musculoskeletal system.

A Platelet-Rich Plasma injection is a type of non-surgical treatment that has been shown to potentially speed up the healing process of an injury. PRP injections have become well known as many famous athletes have received PRP injections for various sports related injuries.

Physical therapy is one of the most effective non-operative treatments for orthopedic injuries. In many cases physical therapy can delay or remove entirely the need for surgery in orthopedic injuries. For this reason, Orthopedic sports medicine specialist Dr. Austin Chen typically recommends physical therapy as a first line of action before resorting to other more invasive treatment options including surgery.

Nutrition can be a helpful player in optimizing health both before and after surgery. While there needs to be more research in the area of nutrition and orthopedics, there are certain nutrients that can be increased through diet in order to support a healthy surgical outcome.

Most frequently seen in athletes or those who participate in sports, ACL injuries range in severity from small strains to a complete ACL tear. The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is one of the four major ligaments of the knee and the main support system for the knee. Patients with ACL injuries often complain of a "pop" sound from inside the joint, immediate, intense pain and a feeling of the knee giving out.

Articular cartilage is an elastic, smooth, soft tissue which allows bones to interact with each other without friction or pain. Articular cartilage acts as a shock absorber for force applied to the joint during movement. When the articular cartilage is damaged whether from an injury or normal wear and tear from aging, a chondral defect can occur. Although symptoms may not appear until later in life, articular cartilage problems are very common.

The lateral collateral ligament is located at the medial (inner) and lateral (outer) aspects of the knee. These ligaments work with the ACL and PCL to keep the knee stable during motion and activity. When the LCL tears, one will notice side-to-side instability with activities. Typically the LCL is injured when there is direct force on the inside of the knee - the part closest to your other leg.

The MCL or medial collateral ligament is one of the four major ligaments of the knee. It helps connect the thigh bone to the shin bone, stabilizing the knee. It can be injured due to a direct trauma to the knee. When the MCL is torn, pain, swelling and joint instability occurs. In cases where the tear is severe (grade III tear), or the tear does not heal with non surgical methods.

Injuries to the meniscus cartilage of the knee are among the most common injuries encountered in sports. Many athletes, especially runners and those in contact sports, are highly susceptible to tears. However, individuals at any age can experience tearing of the meniscus. Tears can be acute and traumatic, involving injury, or chronic and degenerative in nature. When the meniscus is degenerated over time, everyday activities such as slight pivoting or squatting can cause a tear.

The ligaments of the knee are made up of strong, dense connective tissue. These ligaments are what allows us to walk, bend, pivot and turn. They are also required for maintaining knee stability. These ligaments are commonly injured in sports such as soccer, football, basketball, skiing and gymnastics. In a multiligament knee injury there is a tear of at least two of the four major knee ligament structures: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), the posteromedial...

Most frequently seen in athletes or those who participate in sports, ACL injuries range in severity from small strains to a complete ACL tear. The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is one of the four major ligaments of the knee and the main support system for the knee. Patients with ACL injuries often complain of a "pop" sound from inside the joint, immediate, intense pain and a feeling of the knee giving out.

A chondral defect refers to damage to the articular cartilage located at the end of bones. Articular cartilage is an elastic, smooth, soft tissue which allows bones to interact with each other without friction or pain. It acts as a shock absorber for force applied to the joint during movement. Specific to the knee joint, damage can occur at the end of the femur (thigh bone), the proximal tibia (lower leg bone), or the posterior aspect of the patella (kneecap).

Knee tendonitis, also known as patellar tendonitis occurs when the patella tendon is overstressed, causing swelling and irritation. The condition is often called jumper's knee. Patellar tendonitis develops gradually.

The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is the ligament located in the knee joint. Ligaments are strong and thick bands of tissue that connect bone to bone. The LCL is the ligament that runs along the outside of the knee joint. It runs from the bottom of the thigh bone to the top of the lower-leg bone. Its function is to help keep the knee stable.

A loose body is a small piece of cartilage or bone that breaks off and moves freely around the knee in joint fluid, or synovium. Loose bodies can hinder the joint moment by getting caught in flexion and extension movements.The fragments can lead to damage to the articular cartilage, causing osteoarthritis.

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is located on the inner part of your knee, but it’s actually outside the joint itself. Ligaments hold bones together and add stability and strength to a joint. The MCL connects the top of the tibia, or shinbone, to the bottom of the femur, or thighbone.

Injuries to the meniscus cartilage of the knee are among the most common injuries encountered in sports. Many athletes, especially runners and those in contact sports, are highly susceptible to tears. However, individuals at any age can experience tearing of the meniscus. Tears can be acute and traumatic, involving injury, or chronic and degenerative in nature.

Sometimes called degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic condition of the joints, affecting approximately 27 million Americans. OA can affect any joint, but it occurs most often in knees, hips, lower back and neck, small joints of the fingers and the bases of the thumb and big toe. In normal joints, a firm, rubbery material called cartilage covers the end of each bone.

The patella, or better known as the kneecap, dislocations occur when the patella shifts out of place leaving the patellofemoral groove. Dr. Austin Chen, orthopedic knee and sports medicine specialist in Boulder Colorado works with patients to treat patellar dislocations.

The posterior cruciate ligament is located in the back of the knee. The PCL is one of several ligaments that connect the femur (thighbone) to the tibia (shinbone). Its function is to keep the shinbone stabilized and from moving backwards too far. The PCL can be injured by a direct force with a bent knee. Dr. Austin Chen, knee specialist serving Greater Boulder, Colorado, is available to both diagnose and treat PCL injuries.

Femoro-acetabular Impingement (FAI) is a common cause of pain in the hip. It occurs when there is abnormal contact between the bones of the hip. Impingement can lead to labral tears and eventually advancement of osteoarthritis. Impingement is most commonly described as anatomic boney variability of the acetabulum (socket) and femur (leg bone) that causes the two bones to rub against each other during certain hip motions.

The hip plays an important role in supporting the upper body weight while standing, walking and running. The stability of the hip is crucial in order to perform these functions seamlessly and without pain. The femur or thigh bone and acetabulum (hip bone) join to form the hip joint. The labrum, the tissue rim that seals the hip joint, and the surrounding ligaments that line the hip capsule maintain stability.

Articular cartilage covers and protects our joints, allowing us to have pain-free, smooth and gliding movement. When the cartilage is damaged or begins to degenerate, pieces may break off and become loose in the joint. This results in pain and the further progression of the injury.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), also known as hip impingement, is a mechanical or structural disorder of the hip. It can occur in people of all ages, including adolescents and young adults. In the healthy hip, the rounded top of thigh bone (femoral head) “plugs into” the hip socket (acetabular socket) in such a way that the femoral head can move smoothly within the socket. Occasionally, the femoral head and/or acetabulum may have an irregular shape due to overuse, or genetic or...

The gluteus medius and minimus are muscles in the buttock and are situated on the outer surface of the hip. They assist with pelvic stability, hip abduction (leg separation) and internal/external rotation of the hip. The gluteus medius and gluteus minimus are muscles which are important for motion and stability of the hip joint.

Dr. Chen specializes in arthroscopic surgeries of the hip. Unlike most orthopedic surgeons, he has completed a fellowship in hip arthroscopy. Under the guidance of one of the most renown hip arthroscopic surgeons, Dr. Benjamin Domb, Dr. Chen has become highly qualified and expert in hip arthroscopy and uses the approach to treat numerous hip conditions and injuries.

Hip replacement, also called total hip arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure to replace a worn out or damaged hip joint with a prosthesis (an artificial joint). This surgery may be an option after a hip fracture or for severe pain due to arthritis.

In a snapping hip, a tight iliopsoas tendon “pops” over top of the femoral head, the iliopectineal eminence and labrum. The “popping” may produce a loud sound, and may cause a sensation that the hip is popping out of its socket or dislocating. In many cases, flexing and extending the hip when walking, sitting or standing can reproduce the snapping.

The iliotibial band is the tendon attachment of hip muscles into the upper leg (tibia) just below the knee to the outer side of the front of the leg. Where the tendon passes below the knee, there is a bursa sac between the bone and tendon. This tendon moves over the knee and the bursa acts as a buffer to reduce friction. When overuse occurs, the excessive friction causes inflammation and pain.