Boulder ortho for knee, recommendations please?

Yes, there are a million threads here about knees, knee doctors, knee replacements, etc....and I've read them all, so please don't shame me for starting a new one! Most are > 5 years old, and we all know doctors come and go. Mine retired, and that's the problem--the new doc I'm seeing at the old practice is unsatisfactory. I'm looking for a great knee ortho in the general Boulder area to give me a few more years on these wrecked knees before the inevitable replacement. I know where I'm going when that time comes, but I'm not quite at that stage yet. (I may not be able to walk pretty, but I can still climb, which I find kind of weird!)

Preferably someone who knows how to write a request for authorization for an MRI that won't get rejected by my insurer, and if it is rejected, knows how to appeal the decision! Sheesh!

Thank you!

Dr Michael Repine at Boulder Medical Center did my ACL surgery in 2010 I believe it was?  Surgery was at the old BCH site when I used to work there and it went really well.  He's a nice guy and good surgeon as well.  He did a shoulder labral repair on me a few years prior to that.  I had great outcomes from both surgeries and have had zero problems from either surgery.  If I still lived down that way and needed an ortho I wouldn't hesitate to see him again.

Dara, another possible solution. I’ve had one knee replaced and needing the other knee replaced for several years.  I’m having great luck/success with a newer product called Zilretta.  It’s an injection, covered by Medicare, and available every 3 to 4 months. It is a corticosteroid so Dr’s may vary in repeat times.  I’ve had many lately and it’s allowed me to continue climbing where replacement was immediately eminent two years ago.  I had lived for years with both knees being injected with SynVisc.  It worked remarkably for many years but seemed to become inefficient all of a sudden.  That’s when I replaced the worst knee.  I plan to use Zilretta until it doesn’t work any longer.  I know it will happen and I’ll replace my knee, but I’m just buying another season or two in the meantime.

Zilretta.com

RKM wrote:

Dara, another possible solution. I’ve had one knee replaced and needing the other knee replaced for several years.  I’m having great luck/success with a newer product called Zilretta.  It’s an injection, covered by Medicare, and available every 3 to 4 months. It is a corticosteroid so Dr’s may vary in repeat times.  I’ve had many lately and it’s allowed me to continue climbing where replacement was immediately eminent two years ago.  I had lived for years with both knees being injected with SynVisc.  It worked remarkably for many years but seemed to become inefficient all of a sudden.  That’s when I replaced the worst knee.  I plan to use Zilretta until it doesn’t work any longer.  I know it will happen and I’ll replace my knee, but I’m just buying another season or two in the meantime.

Zilretta.com

Oooo, first I've heard of this. I'll definitely check it out. I've had a couple corticosteroid injections over the years but without much relief. Lately it's been hyaluronic acid, which worked okay for a while. Right now my knees are so swollen, I not sure there's room for a dose of Ziretta in there!

I had my acl and medial meniscus repaired in boulder in 2021. The Dr was Austin Chen. He’s at the boulder center for orthopedics and spine and did an excellent job. He’s great with athletes and is evidence based. He recommended doing a quad tendon graft and even gave me research that supported his technique. I highly recommended him. He has also repaired both my bicep tendons and all the injuries he has fixed have healed really well. Good luck and don’t forgot to do your pt

I think the HYALURONIC Acid is about the same as SynVisc uses and the basic ingredients come from chicken combs (clucking is not a side effect).  Maybe that’s why the good effects wear off on constant users.  If you find a local Dr. that treats knees with Zilretta - which is a different approach pharmaceutically - have them drain your knees first of fluid.  Draining has worked for me several times.  Best of luck to you, hope your pain stays just with you knees.

Khemarin R. Seng, MD. He’s an athlete and a perfectionist 

I'll cast another vote for Michael Repine. He hasn't done my knees (yet - the time may come), but repaired both my rotator cuffs and replaced my right hip. I'm really happy with the outcomes. Plus his PA Laura Kaiser is wonderful.   

No Sage wrote:

Khemarin R. Seng, MD. He’s an athlete and a perfectionist 

I'll second that. I've had 2 ACL surgeries with him. He has good perspective and bedside manner wich is appreciated. His assistant is super responsive as well  The lead trainer at their (boulder centre for orthopedics) physical therapy clinic Marc is also great.