Steadman Philippon Research Institute - Orthopaedic Research

Steadman Philippon Research Institute - Orthopaedic Research Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Steadman Philippon Research Institute - Orthopaedic Research, Medical Research Center, 181 W Meadow Drive, Ste 1000, Vail, CO.

SPRI conducts groundbreaking research in joint health, mobility, and sports medicine, driving global innovation to improve patient outcomes and shape the future of orthopaedic care.

Dr. David A. Kuppersmith returns to the Olympic stage for his second Winter Games.As head internal medicine physician fo...
02/17/2026

Dr. David A. Kuppersmith returns to the Olympic stage for his second Winter Games.

As head internal medicine physician for U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Dr. Kuppersmith is currently in Milano Cortina, Italy to support Team USA at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

Dr. Kuppersmith specializes in peri-operative internal medicine and works across all U.S. Ski & Snowboard teams, focusing on the comprehensive medical needs of athletes throughout the Games. He will provide direct coverage for the U.S. Men’s Alpine Tech Team in Bormio and is honored to support local athlete River Radmus on the world stage.

With a background in orthopaedic clinical research at SPRI prior to medical school and continued involvement in outcomes-based research, Dr. Kuppersmith’s work reflects the close integration of clinical care and scientific discovery that defines our Olympic tradition.

We’re proud to recognize Dr. Kuppersmith as part of our 2026 Team USA physician team.

02/13/2026

Dr. Thomas R. Hackett returns to the Olympic stage for his fifth consecutive Winter Games.

As head physician for the U.S. Snowboard Team, Dr. Hackett is currently representing The Steadman Clinic and SPRI at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy, continuing a 50-year Olympic legacy established by Dr. J. Richard Steadman.

Having previously served in Vancouver, Sochi, Pyeongchang, and Beijing, Dr. Hackett brings extensive experience in elite athlete care to this year’s Games.

We’re proud to recognize Dr. Hackett’s leadership and his commitment to supporting Team USA on the world stage.

For International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we asked women across SPRI a simple question: What do you love abou...
02/11/2026

For International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we asked women across SPRI a simple question: What do you love about working in science?

Their answers reflect the many ways courage, curiosity, problem-solving, and purpose show up across research, engineering, clinical care, education, and innovation.

These perspectives highlight how science is not one role or one path, but a collective effort that drives discovery and improves lives.

We’re proud to share the voices of the women whose work shapes our research community every day.

02/11/2026

Today, we’re celebrating the voices, curiosity, and confidence of the next generation of women in science.

In recognition of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, members of our all-women EPOC High School Science Club shared their thoughts on what excites them about science, what being a girl in science means to them, and how this experience has shaped the way they see their interests and potential.

EPOC introduces high school students to research, medicine, and scientific thinking through hands-on labs, mentorship, and independent projects. From exploring imaging and biomechanics to asking their own research questions, students gain exposure to the many ways science shows up across healthcare, research, and beyond.

We’re proud to support programs like EPOC that help young women feel seen, capable, and encouraged as they explore where science might take them.


With more than 25 years of service as a U.S. Ski Team physician, Dr. Randall W. Viola brings decades of clinical experti...
02/10/2026

With more than 25 years of service as a U.S. Ski Team physician, Dr. Randall W. Viola brings decades of clinical expertise, research-driven practice, and Olympic experience to the world stage.

Dr. Viola is making his third consecutive Olympic appearance, once again leading medical care for the U.S. men’s alpine ski team at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy.

As the longest-practicing physician at The Steadman Clinic and a specialist uniquely trained in both sports medicine and hand and microvascular surgery, Dr. Viola has helped advance innovative approaches to treating complex orthopaedic injuries in elite athletes and everyday patients alike.

In addition to his clinical leadership, these moments from Italy reflect the collaborative spirit of Olympic sports medicine, including time spent with U.S. alpine skiing legend Ted Ligety and international colleagues like Dr. Francesco Parolini, Head Team Physician for the Italian Men’s Alpine Team.

We’re proud to recognize Dr. Viola and our ongoing Olympic legacy.

Celebrating more than 50 years of Olympic service in sports medicine!This winter, physicians from The Steadman Clinic, c...
02/07/2026

Celebrating more than 50 years of Olympic service in sports medicine!

This winter, physicians from The Steadman Clinic, closely aligned with SPRI, will once again serve as team doctors for U.S. Ski and Snowboard at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy.

Their involvement continues a proud tradition that began in the 1970s with the late Dr. J. Richard Steadman.

Drs. Randy Viola, Thomas Hackett, Leslie Vidal, Sonny Gill and David Kuppersmith will provide medical care for Team USA athletes, drawing on decades of clinical experience, evidence-based practice and research that has helped shape modern sports medicine.

From Dr. Steadman’s early Olympic coverage in Innsbruck to today’s sports medicine innovations and world-renowned research, this work reflects SPRI’s continued commitment to advancing

Read More Here https://www.sprivail.org/publications/institute-news/continuing-a-50-year-legacy-drs-randy-viola-thomas-hackett-david-kuppersmith-leslie-vidal-and-sonny-gill-to-represent-team-usa-in-medical-roles-at-2026-olympic-winter-games-in-italy

02/05/2026

Thank you to Drew Engelbart and Genelle Padilla at FOX31 Morning News for hosting Dr. Marc J. Philippon and Dr. Thomas R. Hackett for a discussion on sports medicine, injury prevention, and athlete care.

In this segment, Dr. Philippon and Dr. Hackett share insight into caring for Olympic athletes, the role of evidence-based medicine, and how research and education guide their work, as five SPRI physicians prepare to support athletes at the Winter Olympics.

“We take care of everybody, and our weekend warriors receive the same level of care as professional athletes,” Dr. Hackett shared. “We put our heart into our work, and it’s not just about surgical fixes. We’re trying to prevent these injuries from happening in the first place, and that’s a big part of our research.”

We appreciate the opportunity to share how science, collaboration, and preparation come together in elite sports medicine.

Watch the full video here! https://www.sprivail.org/publications/institute-news/denvers-fox31-morning-team-welcomes-drs-philippon-and-hackett-to-share-about-upcoming-winter-olympics

If you are currently experiencing osteoarthritis-related pain in your knee, you may be eligible to participate in a clin...
02/02/2026

If you are currently experiencing osteoarthritis-related pain in your knee, you may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial studying how an 8-week home-based training program using devices designed to improve muscle strength and coordination might improve your symptoms and function.

WHAT YOU WOULD DO FOR THE STUDY:

- You would come to the Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI) in Vail for a knee X-ray and to assess your current level of pain and function.
- You would be taught how to use one of two training devices designed to improve the strength and coordination of your knee muscles.
- You would be provided with the training device, which you will take home with you and use for 10 minutes, three times per week for 8 weeks.
- You will return to SPRI after training is completed to repeat the pain and functional assessments.

YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IF YOU*:
- Are between 40 and 85 years of age
- Have a history of painful knee osteoarthritis in one or both knees
- Are able to walk without assistive devices (cane, crutches, walker) at home and in community settings

YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IF YOU*:
- Have recently had (or plan to have) knee surgery or injections
- Have a joint replacement in your painful knee
- Are unable to perform the study assessments, which include walking short distances and some basic movement activities

*Please note that the above listing is not comprehensive. You will be evaluated by the research team to determine if you meet all eligibility criteria to participate.

COMPENSATION: If you complete all study activities, you can receive up to $630.

For more information or to sign up, please contact:
The Clinical Trials Team at clinicaltrials@sprivail.org or call 970.409.7566

Congratulations to Justin Arner, MD, SPRI Sports Medicine Fellowship alumni, on being selected for the ESSKA–AOSSM 2026 ...
01/29/2026

Congratulations to Justin Arner, MD, SPRI Sports Medicine Fellowship alumni, on being selected for the ESSKA–AOSSM 2026 Traveling Fellowship.

This prestigious program supports international exchange in orthopaedic sports medicine through education, research collaboration and shared clinical experience.

Fellows participate in an immersive, multi-week experience at leading international sports medicine centers, engaging in scientific dialogue, surgical observation and case discussion alongside peers and senior mentors.

Dr. Arner will visit leading institutions in the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Italy, Spain and France, concluding at the ESSKA Congress in Prague.

We’re proud to see SPRI-trained physicians contributing to global collaboration, education and the advancement of sports medicine research.

SPRI and Vail Health have renewed their longstanding partnership with a new five-year commitment to advance medical rese...
01/28/2026

SPRI and Vail Health have renewed their longstanding partnership with a new five-year commitment to advance medical research and innovation across the Mountain West communities.

Building on a successful decade-long collaboration, this renewed agreement supports continued discovery in regenerative medicine, orthopaedics, cancer and behavioral health.

Together, SPRI and Vail Health have helped establish critical research infrastructure, launched pilot studies that grew into NIH and DoD-funded clinical trials and translated scientific findings into patient-centered care.

The next phase of this partnership will expand ongoing collaborations in cancer and behavioral health research while exploring new areas aligned with both organizations, including healthy aging, longevity and improving healthspan.

Read More: https://f.mtr.cool/fvnwfcqggn

SPRI researchers have published new peer-reviewed findings demonstrating that targeting cellular senescence can improve ...
01/21/2026

SPRI researchers have published new peer-reviewed findings demonstrating that targeting cellular senescence can improve musculoskeletal health and extend lifespan in a severe preclinical model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Published in Pharmacological Research (December 2025), this NIH-supported study was led by Dr. Xueqin Gao, with senior authorship by Johnny Huard, PhD, SPRI Chief Scientific Officer. The research identifies senescent macrophages as key contributors to muscle, bone and cardiac pathology.

Targeting these cells improved bone microarchitecture, muscle function and overall survival in dystrophin- and utrophin-deficient mouse models.

This work reflects SPRI’s ongoing focus on cellular senescence and its relevance across regenerative medicine and musculoskeletal research.

Read the publication on PubMed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41173171/

Early research from SPRI’s Department of Biomedical Engineering examined how incline treadmill walking influences muscle...
01/15/2026

Early research from SPRI’s Department of Biomedical Engineering examined how incline treadmill walking influences muscle activation and knee mechanics following ACL reconstruction.

The study found that increasing treadmill incline was associated with greater activation of the quadriceps and hamstrings and increased knee flexion during walking.

From a biomechanics perspective, these movement patterns may help support dynamic knee stability during functional, weight-bearing activity.

This work reflects SPRI’s long-standing commitment to using biomechanics and movement science to inform rehabilitation strategies and advance orthopaedic research.

Address

181 W Meadow Drive, Ste 1000
Vail, CO
81657

Telephone

+19704768224

Website

http://linktr.ee/steadmanphilippon

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