“In February of 2011 I decided to resume skiing after a hiatus of about 20 years. I was a fit 69 year old and I figured I would be fine. On the third day of skiing I caught an edge on a gentle slope and fell on my right shoulder. I was with a friend, a physician, who happened to be the coroner of Teller County. Thankfully I didn’t need his services, but when he saw my collar bone sticking up he diagnosed an AC separation.
Another friend and neighbor suggested the Steadman Clinic. He had had surgery there for an ankle problem. I called the clinic and was referred to Dr. Peter J. Millett. About a week after my injury I went to see Dr. Millett in Vail. From the minute I arrived at the office I was treated with concern, professionalism and courtesy by the staff. My injury was explained to me in detail and the options were clearly laid out.
Dr. Millett explained that my injury (a grade five) required surgery if I wanted normal function. He said “we can do it next week.” I had the surgery, my pain was minimized. The Vail Valley Hospital provided excellent and compassionate care. After a couple of months I was back to performing normal activities. Now, that a year has gone by I feel extremely lucky to have found Dr. Millett. I am skiing again, riding my motorcycle and intensely working out. I test myself by comparing my weight lifting before and after surgery and I am 99% back.
Dr. Millett is a magician as a surgeon, but he has none of the arrogance or impatience people generally associate with great surgeons. He sits down with his patients and makes sure they understand their procedures and potential outcomes. The staff at the clinic is also great. They even go to bat for their patients with their insurance carriers. Even though I am not a professional athlete, I feel I got the royal treatment from Dr. Millett and his staff and I’d bet all his patients feel the same way. “
