Armando Vidal, MD

01/10/2026

Female athletes are 3–5x more likely to tear their ACL than males. Biomechanical factors play a key role. Understanding and addressing these risks, both for the repaired knee and the opposite knee, is critical for long-term success. Here is what else you should know ⬇️

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 ...

01/08/2026

Meniscus root tears: who’s at risk?
▪️Medial: Ages 40–60, often with minimal trauma; sudden pain and swelling may lead to crutches.
▪️ Lateral: Often linked with ACL or other ligament injuries; prognosis is generally better due to stabilization by the menisco-femoral ligament.

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...

01/07/2026

When children experience articular cartilage injuries, Dr. Armando Vidal prioritizes conservative care whenever possible.

Non-surgical treatments may include:
🔹 R.I.C.E (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
🔹 Pausing sports that caused the injury
🔹 Pain relief medication
🔹 Physical therapy to strengthen surrounding muscles
🔹 Unloader braces to reduce stress on the joint

Surgery is reserved for severe cases and may include advanced cartilage repair techniques like microfracture with biocartilage, MACI, or osteochondral allografts. Minimally invasive approaches are used whenever possible to optimize recovery.

What is the Articular Cartilage? Articular cartilage is a complex, living tissue that lines the bony surface at the end of a joint. Its job is to make the bones glide smoothly against each other while moving or bearing weight. In children, articular cartilage injuries are usually caused from trauma....

01/06/2026

12/31/2025

As we close out the year, Dr. Vidal would like to wish all of his patients across the great state of Colorado, and around the world, a safe, happy, and healthy New Year’s Eve. Thank you for trusting us with your care.

12/30/2025

Joint Preservation Options: Preserving your knee’s function starts with the right procedure. Depending on your condition, options include:
▪️Articular Cartilage Repair/Restoration – tailored to lesion size, location, and bone involvement.
▪️Osteotomy (Proximal Tibial or Distal Femoral) – corrects malalignment to reduce stress on cartilage.
▪️Meniscus Transplant – restores load distribution in cases of meniscal deficiency.
▪️Ligament Reconstruction – stabilizes the knee, critical for long-term repair success.
https://armandovidalmd.com/joint-preservation-cartilage-repair-vail-aspen-denver-colorado/

What is knee arthritis? Arthritis is the leading cause of disability among adults in the US today. It is estimated that 70 million Americans will have some form of arthritis in the next 25 years. Arthritis is a degenerative joint condition, causing pain, swelling and limited movement. Osteoarthritis...

12/29/2025

Ever wondered what it’s like in pediatric hospital medicine? Shadowing Dr. Michelle Puzdrakiewicz at Ochsner Children’s offers a firsthand view. Pediatric hospital medicine can be practiced anywhere, and with dedication, it’s possible to balance an impactful career with family life.

For Michelle Puzdrakiewicz, MD, of Ochsner Children’s, pediatric hospital medicine can be practiced anywhere, and with some work, it allows for having a family.

12/27/2025

College Football Playoff drama: blowouts spark debate, but history tells a more nuanced story. Tulane and James Madison weren’t the first to face scrutiny.

Tulane and James Madison’s admission to the 12-team bracket—and subsequent elimination—were unfairly scrutinized while past playoff results were ignored.

12/26/2025

How is a posterolateral corner (PLC) injury diagnosed?

Dr. Vidal begins with a full medical history to understand how the injury happened, then performs specialized physical exams, such as:
🔸 Dial Test – checks knee rotation
🔸 Posterolateral Drawer Test – assesses tibia movement
🔸 Varus Stress Test – measures lateral compartment gapping
🔸 Reverse Pivot Shift – compares rotational movement with the healthy knee

Imaging is important but can be tricky. MRI helps in acute injuries, but chronic cases often require radiographic stress tests, where the knee is stressed and X-rayed to objectively measure PLC integrity.

What is the posterolateral corner of the knee? Not too long ago, the posterolateral corner of the knee, also called PLC, was referred to as the dark side of the knee. This was because of the limited understanding of the biomechanics, structures and treatment options for this area of the knee. In rec...

12/25/2025

As we celebrate the holidays, Dr. Vidal and The Steadman Clinic reflect on the privilege of caring for each of you. You are more than patients...you are part of our extended family. Wishing you a Christmas full of warmth, joy, and hope for a healthy New Year.

12/24/2025

Chondromalacia, also called patellofemoral chondromalacia or runner's knee, occurs when the underside of the kneecap rubs unevenly against the thighbone. This can happen due to:
· Poor knee alignment (sometimes congenital)
· Muscle imbalances around the knee
· Trauma like fractures or dislocations
· Overuse from repetitive sports movements
· Arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid)
· Meniscus injuries
· Knee infections or repeated steroid injections

Proper evaluation and treatment can help restore knee function and reduce pain.

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...

12/12/2025

Your training plan could be missing something simple: protecting your brain from fatigue. New research shows mental exhaustion can slow you down just as much as physical fatigue.

Brain fatigue really does slow you down, new research suggests