Going to Vail-Summit Orthopaedics after I dislocated my shoulder was the worst thing that ever…read morehappened to me. I was told there was a 97% recovery rate for my condition and that I'd be back to rock climbing and sports in a number of months. However, both the 1st and 2nd surgeries performed by Dr. Paul Abbot completely failed. My strength and mobility plummeted 80% after my treatment at this facility. I was in FAR better health prior to walking into VSON. They ruined my body. Another surgeon did his best to clean it up a couple years later. He gave me some improvement, but 13 years later I am in crippled agony. I've called a few times over the years to plead for some consideration to my outcomes, but they do not care for that. They are of course happy to see me again, restart the process, and give me another enormous bill, but there is no real sympathy or concern shown for how they ruined my athleticism and left me with chronic lifelong pain at the age of 22. Imagine paying tens of thousands of dollars for this outcome. It genuinely keeps me up at night. That and the pain. Maybe their new doctors are better, but don't be fooled when they say they care about you.

I had an amazing experience, both with the staff and Dr. Max Suiter. He gave me an injection in my…read morehip within 24 hours of my initial visit. Feeling so much better thank you Vail-Summit orthopedics.

His surgery permanently damaged my Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve in my right thigh leaving me…read morewith a permanent burning sensation (Meralgia Paresthetica). This is a common result with anterior total hip replacement because the nerve runs in various ways right where the surgery is done. I stressed my concerns during pre-surgery consult. Matta lied to me with witnesses present telling me this will not occur with his surgery because he moves the incision away from the nerve. After I was diagnosed by several neurologists and surgeons Matta stated he does not look for the nerve when he does the surgery. Avoid him and get your hip replaced with the MINI POSTERIOR APPROACH. Do not fall for the hype of the anterior approach. It is dangerous to your nerves!!! Only a $$$ maker for the hip surgeons.

I had both hips done six months apart in St. John's about 5 or 6 years ago. Two days in the…read morehospital, walked out with a walker that I really did not need. Never had a day of pain and am still walking like it never happened. Donald age 86. Dr. Matta is the best. We are sorry he left LA.

Wonderful experience. From the time I woke up after surgery,…read moreI can walk without pain. Dr Ernest Braxton with Vail Health Orthopedic accomplished exactly what I needed him to do. I am now walking pain free. After contacting Dr. Braxton's office and scheduling the first visit until the one yesterday. Everything went exactly as planned. After all the preliminary tests were completed I met with Dr. Braxton. He explained the procedure he was going to use, and what I could expect after he was finished. Then what it would take to get me to back where I wanted to be. Throughout the process start to finish, his office staff have been available and so very helpful. Making sure everything did go as planned. I have now finished the recuperation period and am ready to start therapy soon. Great experience.

I was hoping for the best instead got the worst. After the operation instead of a 2 to 3 hour…read morerecovery I was admitted to the Vail Hospital in #10 pain. I was finally released after 3 days still in pain. Only once did Dr Braxton visit me in the hospital , mumbled something and left. My nephew then drove me to Denver to a motel to await a flight back home. The next morning when I woke I was again in extreme pain so I called 911 and was rushed by ambulance to the U of Colorado Hospital , I was rushed into surgery where the Doctors removed the devise that Dr Braxton had implanted. I spent 3 days there in and out of pain. I finally got home and am now pain free but looking at several months of Physical Therapy in order to get back where I was before the operation.

My husband was fortunate enough to be referred to the Steadman Clinic and Dr. Haytmanek after…read moresuffering a calcaneus fracture that caused subsequent joint damage. He was not getting results from his care in Oklahoma City and his quality of life was great affected. Prior to arriving at the Steadman Clinic the scheduling staff was outstanding fitting us in on a date where we already had planned to be in Colorado. The office staff was incredibly professional as well upon checking in. Dr. Haytmanek's vast knowledge was apparent immediately and he spent a generous amount of time with us explaining his situation and more importantly a solution! It has been 6 weeks since his subtalar fusion and tendon repair and he couldn't be happier. It has been 273 days since his accident and the first time since that day in which he has the confidence that his life will return to normal and complete healing will occur. They made it very accessible to have surgery coming from another state. We will be forever thankful for Dr. Haytmanek's outstanding skills and compassion.

From the owner: C. Thomas Haytmanek Jr., MD is an ankle and foot orthopedic specialist at the world-renowned…read moreSteadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado. His work as a orthopedic doctor include: * Fracture Fixation * Ankle Arthroscopy * Cartilage Restoration * Sports related injuries of the foot and ankle * Achilles Tendonitis * Achilles Tendon Rupture * Ankle Fracture * Exertional Compartment Syndrome * Bunions * Claw Toes * Corns and Calluses * Hallus Rigidus * Hammer Toes * Heel Pain * Lisfranc Injury * Morton's Neuroma * Plantar Faciitis * Sesamoiditis * Sprained Ankle * Talus Fracture His ongoing Orthopedic research projects include: * Hindfoot Fusion Nail System * Total Ankle Arthroplasty and Cartilage Repair * Chronic Leg Pain in Athletes * Hamstring Strains in Athletes * Injuries to the Metatarsophalangeal Joints in Athletes * Instability of the Subtalar Joint * Leiomyosarcoma of the OS Calcis * Peroneal Tendon Dislocations You can read more about Dr. Haytmanek's ongoing research by visiting his website.

I have had two total hip arthroscopies wit Dr. Kafferky at Vail Health. I couldn't be happier with…read morethe care that I received or the results. The Kafferky Team is amazing--always helpful no matter the day or time. The P.A.s are exceptional with a special shout out to Daniel Wood. Vail Health is a wonderful hospital in which to have a procedure--perfectly organized and timely. I am a trail runner, hiker and rancher so I ride horseback many hours a week in the summer months. The new hips have made it possible to continue with all my activities. I highly recommend the Steadman Clinic and the Kafferky Team.

Had surgery scheduled for Friday and got call today that I need to get:…read more1. Physical (my primary care dr is in florida) 2. CT scan (which I had to find a location and schedule myself) 3. EKG (same as above) 4. Blood work (no quest in mountains) 5. Etc. I have never had all the crap dumped on my lap to have a procedure done. Guess with a 3.5 rating Steadman is not what they used to be. Will buck up and drive 3 days to Florida and find a practice that cares.

Very thankful for the opportunity to learn from Dr. Peter J. Millett -- a world-renowned shoulder…read moresurgeon, outstanding scholar, dedicated mentor, and true advocate for patients. As an international visiting surgeon, I was deeply inspired not only by his surgical excellence, but also by his innovation, academic vision, and commitment to teaching. The professional, open, and supportive environment he and his team have created made this experience truly meaningful. With sincere gratitude and respect. Looking forward to future collaboration.

I had my fifth shoulder surgery with Dr. Peter Millett in July 2024. It is now March 2026…read more Before that surgery, I had already been through multiple procedures from other surgeons that left my shoulder in a severely compromised state and ultimately forced me to retire from being a professional athlete in my 30s. By the time I found Dr. Millett at the Steadman Clinic, I was already at what I would call a code red -- physically, financially, and mentally. I had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, even with good insurance, trying to fix what had been done to my body. I flew out to see Dr. Millett three separate times, spending thousands more, because I believed I was finally going to someone who would operate with a higher level of care, precision, and commitment to patient outcomes. What I asked for was very clear: I asked him to evaluate and remove the graft placed in 2020 and the BioBrace placed in 2022, because I strongly felt they were causing mechanical issues, inflammation, and long-term wear on my normal tissues. Instead, while I was under anesthesia, Dr. Millett chose to cut my long head of the biceps tendon, despite it being intact and showing no clear clinical signs of pathology. This decision makes no sense to me -- especially given that he knew my short head of the biceps and coracoid had already been compromised in prior surgeries, and that I had ongoing issues related to that anatomy. Rather than addressing the root cause I came to him for, my anatomy was altered again. Now, I'm left with: - A visible deformity in my bicep - Roughly 30-40% loss of strength - Constant pain with quick movements - Pain when lifting, pressing, or even performing basic daily tasks - Persistent popping and clicking in both the front of my shoulder and my shoulder blade - Difficulty with simple things like putting on clothes or carrying groceries Most concerning -- the original issues I came in for were not addressed. I want to be clear about something: I do not blame Dr. Millett for the surgeries done before him. But I do hold him accountable for this: He did not listen to me. After seeing 30-40 orthopedic surgeons over the course of this process, I've noticed a consistent pattern in the field -- a level of ego and overconfidence that often overrides patient input, even when the patient has lived in the body and experienced the problem for years. I understand that surgeons rely on their training and experience. But when a patient is already on their fifth surgery, with a highly complex history, the standard should be higher -- not more aggressive. Another major issue that needs to be acknowledged is the financial structure of orthopedic surgery. This industry generates enormous revenue through procedures, implants, and devices. Patients are rarely made aware of the deeper financial incentives that exist behind the scenes. I am not saying surgeons act with bad intent. But I am saying there is a clear conflict of interest, and patients need to understand that. What concerns me further is that after performing surgery on me, Dr. Millett ultimately referred me to another specialist in Boston. If that level of expertise was needed, I question why that referral didn't happen before I was operated on -- not after. At this point, I am living with the consequences: - Ongoing mechanical dysfunction - Increased pain - Further altered anatomy - And a significant loss in quality of life This review is not written out of anger alone -- it is written to help others. If you are considering surgery: Slow down. Ask more questions. Get multiple opinions. Understand exactly what will be done to your body. Do not assume that experience or degrees or educational institution alone guarantees the right decision. Because once your anatomy is changed, you don't get it back. And never assume that you will come out better. You could be much much worse and then there is nearly nothing you can do about it.

It's a beautiful facility but the nurses are the worst care givers I've ever seen. They sit at the…read moredesk while your waiting for surgery talking about eating, when everyone who is going into surgery is starving. Then post surgery, rather than getting up, they shout instructions to you in your bed -- don't eat when the blood monitor is on, you can't bend your elbow without setting off the alarm. Never an offer for water or a blanket. Nurse Ratchett had more compassion than these people.

I have had 3 visits to the VVSC Edwards in the past 7 months for treatment of spinal stenosis by…read moreSteadman Clinic Dr. Thos Evans. The treatments were bilateral epidurals each time for relief of the issue that will ultimately require surgery. I could not be happier with each of the 3 visits - the VVSC team has done a wonderful job of making me feel comfortable and at ease with these procedures. The last visit my team of Barb, Annie, Carly and Katie were exceptional. I can't say enough about their professionalism, compassion, expertise and humanity - don't go anywhere else!! Thanks all!

Liz is absolutely amazing! From the moment I sat down, she really took the time to listen to what I…read morewas envisioning and made thoughtful, realistic recommendations to bring it to life. The results completely exceeded my expectations--I couldn't be happier. On top of that, she's incredibly friendly and made me feel comfortable the entire time. She's also so quick and gentle with the needle, which made the experience nearly painless. I highly, highly recommend Liz to anyone looking for beautiful results and a great experience! Additionally, I've had several procedures done by Mangat (now retired) and Dr. Copit, and I had wonderful experiences and results with both as well.

Thinks highly of himself and not his patients!!! A huge waste of my time!! Especially since his…read moremain job was Mohs surgery and I was lead to believe he could do it. Good Luck with him, Dr. Colit, horrible!! Definitely not a Dr. Mangat, he was a wonderful Doctor! Place has slided down hill!!!!

Dr Philippon and his team are like a well oiled machine of professionalism, kindness, precision,…read moreand innovation. If I could rate them 100 stars I would. The entire experience for my hip surgery was simply impressive and I will be forever grateful!!!

This is the definition of a 5 star surgeon. 6 more like it. I was tempted to write this review…read moreafter noticing 2 patients writing bad reviews yet did not even have surgery with him. That's like giving a restaurant 1 star but you didnt eat there because they didn't have a reservation. My hip arthroscopy was a success and you can't even see the tiny scars! His whole staff and hospital treated me exactly like a professional athlete. The rehab team was exceptional. They take scar tissue prevention very seriously in the dr's protocol and rehab which I'm sure no other dr or clinic can match. They used up to date science like PRP injection into the joint, medicine, supplement and rehab scar tissue prevention strategies. It was like a vacation oasis for hip surgery. I didn't even get to talk to see the surgeon before the surgery but I saw him twice after the surgery and he was a gentleman (most surgeons can be rude and cocky).