Leslie Vidal, MD

05/29/2026

Shoulder arthritis care is not one-size-fits-all.

Treatment ranges from minimally invasive arthroscopy for mild disease to total or reverse shoulder replacement for advanced degeneration. The goal is always the same: restore function, reduce pain, and improve quality of life. Learn more ⬇️

What is shoulder arthritis? Arthritis in the shoulder occurs when there is thinning or loss of the articular cartilage that covers the bones, and ultimately painful bone-on-bone contact develops. Articular cartilage is the smooth, soft tissue that covers the ends of the ball and socket within the sh...

05/26/2026

PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) has been used in orthopedics to support the treatment of tendon injuries and symptomatic arthritis.

Its proposed benefit lies in delivering concentrated growth factors to modulate inflammation and support tissue repair.

What is PRP? Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a concentration of platelets and growth factors created from a designated amount of your own blood. Increased levels of growth factors improve signaling and recruitment of cells to an injury site and optimize the environment for healing. This treatment has....

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we honor those who gave everything and reflect on what it means to help others return to the life they served to protect.

As a shoulder, hip, and knee surgeon in Colorado, I spend my days restoring movement: helping patients hike again in the Rockies, return to duty, or simply walk without pain.

Freedom is more than a word: it’s the ability to move through life without limitation.

05/22/2026

05/22/2026

Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) surgery recovery: what patients often misunderstand

MYTH: “Once surgery is done, healing just happens with time.”
REALITY: Recovery is an active process.

After hip arthroscopy:
· Rehab starts immediately
· Early motion is carefully controlled, not avoided
· Strength is rebuilt progressively under guidance
· Protocol adherence directly impacts outcome

The best results come from structure + consistency, not guesswork.

FAI - Femoroacetabular Impingement Hip Specialist Hip pain can be caused by abnormally shaped bones and occurs when the bones of the hip joint do not fit together as they should. Common symptoms of FAI are sharp ongoing pain in the groin area, hip pain that ranges from a dull ache to

05/21/2026

Knee pain is often quickly labeled as a meniscus tear, arthritis, or “wear and tear,” but symptoms don’t always match imaging.

In second opinion evaluations, Dr Vidal focuses on aligning the clinical exam, imaging, and functional limitations before committing to a diagnosis or treatment plan. https://leslievidalmd.com/contact/

05/15/2026

A second opinion isn’t doubt, it’s clarity.

Knee, shoulder, and hip pain can have multiple diagnoses and treatment paths. What looks like “one solution” may actually have several options depending on anatomy, activity level, and goals.

If something doesn’t feel right, it’s worth confirming. https://leslievidalmd.com/contact/

05/12/2026

The shoulder may not bear weight like the hip or knee, but it is far from immune to arthritis.

Two distinct joints can be affected:
• Glenohumeral joint – the main shoulder joint
• AC joint – where the collarbone meets the shoulder

Understanding where the arthritis is occurring is key to understanding why symptoms develop and how to treat them.

What is shoulder arthritis? Arthritis in the shoulder occurs when there is thinning or loss of the articular cartilage that covers the bones, and ultimately painful bone-on-bone contact develops. Articular cartilage is the smooth, soft tissue that covers the ends of the ball and socket within the sh...

05/10/2026

I fix shoulders so people can lift again.

I repair hips so people can walk without pain.

But mothers?
They carry far more than the human body was ever designed to hold.

They carry worry.
They carry hope.
They carry everyone else often without anyone noticing the weight.

Today isn’t about perfection. It’s about recognition.
To every mother whose strength doesn’t show up on an MRI,
I see you.

Happy Mother’s Day!

05/07/2026

Athletes don’t just want to heal, they want to return at a high level.

That requires more than surgery. It takes a thoughtful, comprehensive plan that balances aggressive recovery with long-term protection against reinjury.

Understanding the athlete is just as important as treating the injury. https://leslievidalmd.com/