Orthopedic Local News

Early Mornings with Team Summit Colorado

Nov 20, 2017

Dr. Dorf joins Team Summit Colorado for their early morning training at Copper Mountain. Here is an early morning shot of the Team Summit flag with the most beautiful sun rise.

Dr. Dorf, Orthopedic Specialist, and Team Summit Colorado


Team Summit Coach Fit for Duty

Nov 7, 2017

As a part of VSO's ongoing commitment to our community VSO has partnered with Team Summit Colorado to provide exclusive medical coverage to their athletes and coaches.  As medical director Dr. Dorf and his team recently completed Fit For Duty physicals for Team Summits coaches.  VSO is looking forward to a safe and fun season with Team Summit Colorado.  Good luck to all the athletes!


Thank you to Matt, Kim and Megan from VSO as well as Teri, Erica, Steve and Will from Avalanche PT for helping out with the Team Summit Colorado fit for duty coaches evaluations.


Dr. Dorf and Team Summit Gearing Up for the Winter Season

Oct 9, 2017

Dr. Dorf has been working with Team Summit Colorado as team physician and coach since 2008 and has recently been named Medical Director for Team Summit Colorado.  With new snow on the peaks we are excited about getting the season rolling.


Upcoming Events for Team Summit:

Coaches Return to Snow Preseason Medical Evaluation

Athlete Pre-Season Physicals

Team Summit Winter Kick Off

Athlete Impact Testing-a tool to help evaluate concussions

Take a look at my x-ray.

Jun 20, 2017

You should never try to sprint against a fast sprinter on your bike. Trying to race my son Mack, I came out of my pedal and went over the bars.

The result: Grade 3 AC separation. 

No surgery on this one thank god. Lesson learned.

Removing Pins in the Office

Mar 2, 2017

Pins are often utilized in surgical management of fractures. The surgeon is able to realign the fractured bone and insert the pins in a minimally invasive manner. The pin is left sticking out of the skin in order to be removed after the fracture has had some time to heal. Pin removal may seem like a big deal, however it is something that can be done in the office with minimal discomfort. 

My daughter Annabel was training slalom with the Ski Club Vail on January 31st 2017. Her glove became tangled in the mesh fencing on the course fracturing her left humerus.  She was taken to Vail-Summit Orthopaedics where she was evaluated by Dr. Joseph who took her to the operating room that same afternoon.



Thanks to Dr. Joseph's skill and expertise, the fracture was reduced and stabilized with 2 pins.  Annabel's bones healed up nicely and she was ready to have her pins removed one month later.

Annabel has made a full recovery from her injury and one might see her speeding by on the slopes this winter.  Pin removal is nothing to be nervous about.

Dr. Dorf talks about rotator cuff tears, treatment and surgery.

Aug 29, 2015

Dr. Dorf completes second Leadville Trail 100.

Aug 23, 2015

23rd overall, in 7:08

A new and better way to repair the torn rotator cuff.

May 23, 2014

Surgeons at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics are using several new techniques that doctors claim are giving patients better options and better results when it comes to rotator cuff and Achilles heel injuries.

Dr. John Paul Elton is one of the few foot-and-ankle surgeons in the United States utilizing a new, minimally invasive technique to repair Achilles ruptures. ...[ read more at VailDaily.com ]

Spoke Scalpel Repeat

Oct 3, 2013

Beep beep beep. 

A swift hand silences the alarm as to not wake a sleeping wife. At 4:30 a.m. Dr. Erik Dorf prepares for another busy day. He still has six hours until he needs to be at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics for work. He isn't thinking about that though – this part of the day is for him alone. The dust glows bright behind his spinning tires as the first rays of light hit the trail. In the back of his mind he knows that every hour of training will help him in his upcoming 100-mile competition. ...[ read more at VailHealth.org ]

Dr. Dorf takes first place in the Mount Evans Hill Climb Grand Fondo Division.

Jul 20, 2013

Time of 2:08 minutes