Armando Vidal, MD

Armando Vidal, MD Dr. Armando Vidal is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine, as well as shoulder, Armando F.

Vidal, MD is one of the top Orthopaedic surgeons in the nation specializing in complex knee reconstructions, shoulder surgery and sports medicine at the world renowned Steadman Clinic in Vail, CO. Dr. Armando Vidal's practice is one of the only in the country that specializes in complex cartilage restoration, osteotomies, ACL reconstruction and complex revision knee surgeries. Dr. Vidal has a vast

experience in sports medicine includes his role as head team physician for the NBA’s Denver Nuggets (since 2017). Dr. Vidal also served as head team physician for the University of Colorado men’s basketball program and the University of Denver’s NCAA Division. He has been with the national championship men’s hockey team for 11 seasons. Dr. Vidal has also been voted a “5280 Top Doc” in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine since 2012.

We often quote that female athletes are 3–5x more likely to tear their ACL, but the more important question is why.Despi...
06/11/2026

We often quote that female athletes are 3–5x more likely to tear their ACL, but the more important question is why.

Despite multiple proposed explanations, biomechanics remains the most consistently supported modifiable factor.

That has direct implications for how we manage these patients.

ACL care is not just about reconstruction, it is about risk management:
• Preventing ipsilateral re-tear
• Reducing contralateral ACL injury (≈3% risk within 2 years)
• Addressing underlying movement patterns that persist after surgery

If we ignore biomechanics, we are treating the injury, not the patient.

What is an ACL? Those 3 dreaded letters….ACL. Every athlete fears hearing them but regrettably ACL injury is part of sporting activities. Thankfully techniques to repair and reconstruct the ACL have advanced considerably in the past few years and as such, our ability to return an athlete to sport ...

A meniscus root tear is one of the more serious meniscus injuries. It effectively disables the meniscus’ shock-absorbing...
06/10/2026

A meniscus root tear is one of the more serious meniscus injuries. It effectively disables the meniscus’ shock-absorbing function, leading to abnormal knee loading. This can accelerate degeneration and is associated with early arthritis, fractures, and bone health complications. Here is what else you should know ⬇️

What is a meniscus root tear? Both the medial (inner) and lateral (outer) menisci have strong attachments to the bone, called “roots.” These root attachments are critical to the health and function of the meniscus and are responsible for holding the meniscus in place. Without the root attachment...

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is most common in children and adolescents, especially teenagers. It can occur in adults...
06/09/2026

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is most common in children and adolescents, especially teenagers. It can occur in adults, but these cases are often long-standing conditions that went unrecognized earlier in life.

At its core, OCD involves a loss of blood supply to a segment of bone, causing it to weaken and potentially separate from the joint surface.

What is osteochondritis dissecans? Osteochondritis Dissecans, or OCD, is a condition that is unique to the young (immature athlete) and occurs when a piece of bone and more importantly, its attached cartilage, breaks down and becomes loose. The loose piece can break away completely from the end of t...

ACL injuries in young athletes require a different approach than in adults. The priority is protecting the growth plate ...
06/05/2026

ACL injuries in young athletes require a different approach than in adults. The priority is protecting the growth plate while restoring knee stability.

Leaving the knee unstable increases the risk of further damage over time.

Treatment is tailored to the child’s age and growth stage.

What are growth plates? Growth plates are an area of cartridge located near the end of long bones. Each bone has at least two growth plates, one at each end. They contain rapidly dividing cells that allow bones to become longer and thicker until the end of puberty. As a child ages, hormonal changes....

Lateral meniscus tears usually present with lateral joint line pain, swelling, and post-injury stiffness. Common associa...
06/04/2026

Lateral meniscus tears usually present with lateral joint line pain, swelling, and post-injury stiffness. Common associated symptoms include mechanical catching or locking, instability, and inability to fully extend the knee. Learn more ⬇️

Where is the lateral meniscus? The lateral meniscus is one of the most critical structures in the knee – arguably more critical than its medial counterpart! The lateral meniscus is the meniscus located on the outside of the knee joint. It is so critical because it occupies 70% of the surface of th...

At its core, chondromalacia is a tracking problem. When the kneecap moves unevenly against the femur, the cartilage unde...
06/03/2026

At its core, chondromalacia is a tracking problem. When the kneecap moves unevenly against the femur, the cartilage underneath softens and wears down. Contributing factors include muscle imbalance, structural alignment issues, repetitive stress from sports, trauma such as dislocation, arthritis, or meniscus injury.

What is Patella Chondromalacia? Chondromalacia, also called “runner’s knee” is a condition where the articular cartilage underneath the knee cap (patella) softens and breaks down. The cartilage loses its ability to protect the ends of the bones as the joint moves, allowing the bones to rub aga...

What does shoulder instability look like in a young athlete?It’s not always a full dislocation. More often, kids and tee...
05/31/2026

What does shoulder instability look like in a young athlete?

It’s not always a full dislocation. More often, kids and teens describe:
· A shoulder that feels unreliable
· Clicking, popping, or shifting with activity
· Pain when serving, throwing, or reaching overhead
· Subtle loss of strength or control in sport

The key is that symptoms are often intermittent, not constant.

Persistent instability can affect both performance and long-term joint health.

What is shoulder instability in children? The upper arm bone (humerus) sits in a shallow socket in the main part of the shoulder joint called the glenoid. The shoulder capsule and ligaments hold the bones of the shoulder securely in place. An injury to the ligaments or shoulder capsule can cause the...

What is the goal of patellofemoral chondral injury repair?The goal is not just to “reduce pain,” but to restore a smooth...
05/29/2026

What is the goal of patellofemoral chondral injury repair?

The goal is not just to “reduce pain,” but to restore a smoother cartilage surface and improve how forces are distributed across the kneecap joint.

Successful treatment focuses on biology, alignment, and mechanics, not just symptom suppression.

The best outcomes come from addressing the underlying defect, not just the inflammation around it.

What is Patellofemoral Chondral Pain? Patellofemoral pain refers to the area where the patella (kneecap) meets the femur (long bone in the thigh). The term chondral refers to a special type of cartilage in the knee known as the articular cartilage. You’ve seen this substance on the ends of chicken...

Not all ligaments need to be rebuilt. Not all tears can heal.Multil-igament knee reconstruction is a selective, anatomy-...
05/28/2026

Not all ligaments need to be rebuilt. Not all tears can heal.

Multil-igament knee reconstruction is a selective, anatomy-driven approach:
• Preserve what can heal
• Reconstruct what cannot
• Restore native biomechanics with precise graft placement

Technique is important, but decision-making is everything. Learn more
https://armandovidalmd.com/multi-ligament-reconstruction-orthopedic-surgeon-vail-aspen-denver-colorado/

What is a Multi-Ligament Injury? Five major structures work together to stabilize the knee joint (four major ligaments and a complex called the posterolateral corner). These ligaments include the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), the medial collateral ligament....

Are platelet rich plasma, bone marrow aspirate concentrate, and stem cells truly regenerative treatments?They’re best un...
05/27/2026

Are platelet rich plasma, bone marrow aspirate concentrate, and stem cells truly regenerative treatments?

They’re best understood as biologic modulators, not tissue replacements.

PRP signals healing through growth factors, while BMAC adds a cellular component that may enhance the local environment. Their goal is to reduce inflammation and support repair—not directly rebuild tissue.

Results vary because indication matters as much as the injection itself. Acute injury, degeneration, and patient selection all respond differently.

What is a Biologic Treatment? In the past, orthopedic advances have centered on surgical techniques, new joint materials and new methods of operating, such as arthroscopic surgery. Today, biologic treatments have become the cutting edge of orthopedic treatment. Due to their regenerative properties,....

Address

181 West Meadow Drive Suite 400
Vail, CO
81657

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+19704018940

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Armando Vidal, MD posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Armando Vidal, MD:

Shortcuts

Share

Category