Dr. Millett & Patient News

Young Snowboarder With Elbow Injury Treated With Complex Elbow Fracture Surgery

Cristy Sada of Mexico – Remains Brave Through Elbow Fracture Surgery Following Painful Snowboard Injury

Cristy Sada, a spirited 9-year old from Monterrey, Mexico, learned first-hand just how painful an elbow fracture can be. This past March while snowboarding with her family in Vail, Colorado, she experienced an elbow injury of her distal humerus.

It was over the Easter holiday, when Cristy’s family headed to Vail for some family fun, skiing and snowboarding. Cristy, who is a fan of both activities, spent the first half of her trip skiing. During the second part of her trip, she was on her snowboard when she fell and injured her elbow. The ski patrol took her to Vail Valley Hospital where the family learned she had a complex fracture of the distal humerus that went into the elbow joint.

“We were in the emergency room dealing with Cristy’s elbow injury and determining our next steps. It was then when I remembered that a friend of ours had undergone surgery with Dr. Peter Millett, and she had spoken so highly of him. When we found that Cristy needed surgery for her elbow fracture, we asked for Dr. Millett. He promptly evaluated her and told us he would perform the surgery. We were thankful that he was going to be able to help our daughter,” said Federico, Cristy’s father.

Dr. Millett performed the arthroscopic elbow surgery to correct the fracture that Cristy suffered. According to Dr. Millett, “This was a very bad injury and it is typically very painful. Yet, Cristy was very brave and calm. Everything went very well with her surgery and both Cristy and her parents have been such a pleasure to work with.”

After surgery, Cristy’s family stayed in Vail for a few days to work with Dr. Millett’s team while she recovered. Once Dr. Millett gave them the green light to return to Mexico, she left with a new cast, signed by Dr. Millett himself. Just several weeks out of surgery, Cristy is feeling great and is back at school and learning to write with her left hand.

According to Federico, “Cristy’s recovery since her elbow injury has been amazing, and Dr. Millett and his entire staff have been outstanding. We are going back to Vail in 6 weeks for a check-up. I’m positive that Dr. Millett will be equally as pleasant and bring us some good news regarding how her elbow fracture has healed.” A full recovery is expected and according to Dr. Millett, “I am sure Cristy will be back in action in no time!”

For more information regarding elbow fractures and to learn more about elbow injury treatments, please contact the office of Vail, Colorado shoulder surgeon, Dr. Peter J. Millett.

Dr. Peter Millett Discusses Double Row Repair for Rotator Cuff Injury Treatment

Double row repair surgery for rotator cuff injuries is becoming preferred method of treatment for rotator cuff tears. However, according to Dr. Peter Millett, a Vail, Colorado shoulder surgeon, while healing rates are improved with this rotator cuff injury treatment method, there is still not enough research to show that it offers better clinical outcomes.

Dr. Millett made this statement recently for Orthopedics This Week in an excerpt that compares the double row and single row rotator cuff repair techniques. He states, “Many of my colleagues and I believe that double row repair is biomechanically stronger and anatomically better than the single row approach. We believe that this will result in better clinical outcomes, although, to date, clinical studies haven’t borne that out. Sample sizes have been small, however, and follow-ups have been short. Larger, longer term studies are needed.”

The rotator cuff is an area of the shoulder that is made up of four muscles. It’s this grouping of muscles that is responsible for stabilizing the shoulder joint and providing the strength it needs to move. Rotator cuff injuries are common, especially among the athletic population. A double row rotator cuff repair refers to an anatomic restoration of the original rotator cuff 'footprint' (the exact size, shape and makeup of the rotator cuff). This rotator cuff injury technique uses arthroscopic keyhole surgery to repair the tendons to their natural anatomy using a double-row of sutures rather than just a single row. A single row approach does not re-establish the normal footprint anatomy.

The controversy between both approaches was discussed in detail during the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons/American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine winter meeting in Park City, Utah. During this meeting, Dr. Millett attended and participated in this ongoing discussion.

See full article: Double or Single Row Rotator Cuff Repair

"TOP DOCTOR" 2013 - Dr. Peter Millett Named

Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. has named Dr. Peter J. Millett "Top Doctor" for 2013. 
An orthopedic shoulder surgeon and sports medicine specialist with The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado, Dr. Millett has been accorded this honor for consecutive years.

“Being selected for inclusion in America's "Top Doctors" is a very significant achievement given to only 1% of American physicians" according to Castle Connolly Medical's President and CEO Dr. John Connolly.

"Top Doctors" are nominated by their peers through an online nomination process. Each year, tens of thousands of physicians cast many tens of thousands of nominations. Nominated physicians are then screened by the Castle Connolly physician-led research team. Selections of the finalists are based on criteria including medical education, training, hospital appointments, disciplinary histories and much more.

"The world of American doctors includes incredibly high quality medical professionals, yet some stand out. Our list of Top Doctors is based on referred doctors' exceptional work and outstanding conduct. My congratulations to Dr. Millett.”

Skier Paula Moltzan In SHAPE Fitness Feature

Paula Moltzan, world-class professional skier and a former patient of Vail orthopedic surgeon Dr. Peter J. Millett, shines on the slopes. Thanks to SHAPE magazine Moltzan shows that she shines in the training studio too. 

With Dr. Millett's assistance Paula made a full recovery from serious shoulder injuries.  Podium successes across the world followed and Paula made the U.S. Ski Team. She is now a serious contender for medals at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Paula recently teamed up with Shape magazine for a sneak peek at her fitness routine secret - proprioceptive training. Skiers must maintain balance, control, and strength on the mountain. In the Shape article Paula shows how she gains and maintains her stability with plyometric moves.

Dr. Millett and his entire staff are extremely proud of Paula’s continued success.

See the full story in SHAPE or click here:  Are You as Fit as a Pro Skier?

Keep up with Paula Moltzan's continued success on her website:  http://www.paulamoltzan.com

Dr. Peter Millett Attends The International Shoulder Course in Munich Germany

Dr. Peter J. Millett, orthopaedic shoulder surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Vail, CO, recently returned from Munich, Germany where he attended and participated in the International Shoulder Course. 

This renowned event, attended primarily by European sports medicine, orthopaedic and shoulder surgeons, as well as shoulder specialists and surgeons from other parts of the world, including the United States, provides the latest information associated with orthopaedic shoulder treatments.  Also presented during the meetings were updates on the latest research as they pertain to PRP, improved diagnostic testing techniques, and surgical procedures for the shoulder. Dr. Millett attends this important conference annually.

During the event, Dr. Millett led a surgical procedure on arthroscopic surgery. Some of the courses taught and lectures presented this year included multi-directional shoulder instability, rotator cuff repair, shoulder replacement surgery, and new techniques to treat the symptoms and manage osteoarthritis, along with many other topics.

Shoulder Surgeon in Vail Listed as "Top Doctor" by U.S. News and World Report - Dr. Peter J. Millett

Dr. Peter J. Millett was recently listed as a "Top Doctor in America" by U.S. News and World Report.  With close to a million doctors in a variety of fields and specialties, less than just 1% of physicians make the cut.  Peer nominations are the primary votes that allow a doctor to achieve this great success and recognition. Dr. Millett received the highest ranking that an orthopedic surgeon can make on this list.

U.S. News Top Doctors was developed in collaboration with Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., publisher of America's Top Doctors® and other guides, and was built upon data from Castle Connolly's Top Doctors™.

Dr. Peter J. Millett Performs Double Row Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery Streamed Live to 2,000 Medical Professionals at ArthoLondon 2012

Dr. Peter J. Millett, Orthopedic Shoulder Surgeon and Director of Shoulder Surgery for The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado, recently traveled to London, England for the 4th International Symposium of Surgical and Biological Treatments in Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine and Distal Extremity Pathologies.  This extraordinary event brought surgeons,  researchers, and medical professionals together from around the world and included an update on the latest surgical techniques and advancements in the area of biologic healing enhancement.

During the event, Dr. Millett performed a live surgical demonstration implementing a rotator cuff repair technique that was watched live by close to 2,000 gathered medical professionals from all over the world. Prior to the surgery, Dr. Millett gave a brief PowerPoint presentation on the Knotless Double Row (Anatomic) Rotator Cuff Repair. In a nearby large auditorium, eight oversized screens streamed the surgery live.

The symposium took place on September 28th and 29th at the Excel center in London which was also an event site during the 2012 Summer Olympics. The live surgery completed by Dr. Millett showcased new, advanced techniques in the area of rotator cuff tears and injuries.  In addition to the live surgical presentation, the symposium offered guests medical presentations, debates, panel discussions, and new research into the area of orthopedic surgery.

Dr. Peter J. Millett Honored as a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly

Dr. Peter J. Millett, Orthopedic Shoulder Surgeon and Director of Shoulder Surgery for The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado, was recently awarded the Castle Connolly Top Doctors™ award. This prestigious honor is the result of a lengthy and thorough selection process that begins with surveys of physicians and healthcare professionals through the U.S. Each year, Castle Connolly surveys thousands of physicians and other healthcare professionals and asks them to identify excellent doctors in every specialty in their region and throughout the nation.

Only a very small percentage of physicians across the U.S. have earned the prestigious recognition of America's Top Doctors. Dr. Millett has been awarded this honor five consecutive years.

You can read more about the nomination process by reading:

How Castle Connolly Makes Its "Top Doctors" Selections

Dr. Millett Rebuilds the Shoulder of Local Vail Resident Attacked by a Cape Buffalo on an African Safari

Dr. Peter Millett, orthopedic shoulder surgeon and Director of Shoulder Surgery for The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado, has seen it all…or so he thought.  As a complex shoulder surgeon, he has operated on some of the toughest cases from patients who’ve suffered trauma from injuries sustained during high-impact sports, serious accidents, and everyday mishaps. But when Larry Trotter entered the doors of the Clinic in early July, Dr. Millett knew this was a case like no other.

Larry Trotter, a 58-year old Vail local, set out for a 25-day African Safari hunt that lasted a mere minutes when he was viciously attacked by a cape buffalo. The Vail Daily depicts the attack in a detailed way that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, but what is most astonishing, is that Larry survived at all. More than 200 hunters each year are killed by cape buffalo, each averaging a weight of 1,000 pounds.

Aside from a myriad of cuts, bruising, and other injuries, the buffalo shattered Larry’s shoulder.  After several of the guides who were on the trip with Larry shot the buffalo, killing him, they gathered Larry and got him to the emergency room in Capetown where some of the best surgeons there reconstructed his shoulder in a four-hour surgery.

After landing an emergency seat on a flight back to the U.S., upon landing back in Vail, he immediately was taken to the Steadman Clinic and into the doors of Dr. Peter Millett.

“Larry’s story of survival is captivating. A miracle to say the least. The attack left him with a fracture dislocation to his left shoulder.  In order to correct and rebuild his shoulder, we had to essentially re-do what was done in South Africa because it didn’t hold up and the bones had shifted. We took out the plates that had been placed, and then using x-ray guidance, we put the pieces back together.  We then re-aligned all the bones, repaired the rotator cuff, and put in a series of new plates and screws to hold it in place. The bones were so crushed that we also had to rebuild the bone with synthetic bone to provide strength while it heals.”

Larry is still in the rehabilitation phase from his surgery but is expected to make a great recovery. According to Larry, “It's an absolute, for a fact, true miracle.”

To read the full story: A miracle among us; Local man survives African cape buffalo attack

(**Photo as shown in the Vail Daily: Larry Trotter managed to smile, briefly, after surviving an attack by this cape buffalo. Two hunting guides are helping hold him up for the photo. He left immediately for hospitals in Africa, then here at the Steadman Clinic for surgery)

Dr. Millett Weighs in on Biologics Research Using PRP with Orthopedics This Week

Peter J. Millett, M.D., M.Sc., orthopedic shoulder surgeon with the Steadman Clinic in Vail, CO, and Director of Shoulder Surgery at the Clinic, is known for his work with elite athletes and weekend warriors. He recently weighed in on the important topic of PRP research and bioloigic healing for Orthopedics This Week.

While researchers agree that the science behind PRP offers a natural healing process for biologically compromised tissues, there are also valid obstacles in research and application at the clinical level. Platelets are tiny cells found in the blood that contain rich growth factors that influence the healing of tissue. Platelet rich plasma is made from one’s own blood by withdrawing the blood and separating the white and red blood cells, and platelets from the serum (the clear liquid contained in blood).  PRP has been proven to have effective healing properties for joint, muscle, and tissue injuries that do not respond to conventional treatment, and studies have shown that it stimulates and promotes bone regeneration.

According to Dr. Millett, “The use of biologics to enhance healing—and the explosion of media attention—is certainly very exciting, but it is also getting us to the point where some of our patient-athletes are pressuring us to use the treatment…despite the lack of scientific evidence of its efficacy. This has led to an explosion of patient expectations and inquiries, something that has left orthopedic surgeons in a difficult spot. Insurance companies are reluctant to approve or pay for the use of biologics. Some physicians are doing it anyway and are just charging patients for the treatment. But in many cases the treatments remain what I consider to be experimental."

See more of what Dr. Millett has to say about the advancement and use of PRP:  Off and On the Record: Biologics Discussion