Richard Cunningham, MD is a knee, shoulder and sports medicine specialist with offices in Vail, Frisco & Edwards, Colorado.
Visit vailknee.com for more information. Richard Cunningham, MD is sports medicine specialist serving Vail, Frisco and Edwards, Colorado. Dr. Cunningham is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with a focus in the knee and shoulder. With the longest tenured at Vail Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, he has been serving patients in Colorado's Western slope since 2003. With clini
cs in Vail, Frisco and Edwards, CO, Dr. Cunningham cares for professional and recreational athletes alike. He and his team help people of all ages get back to their active lifestyles. With a focus on the shoulder and knee, Dr. Cunningham utilizes both surgical and non-surgical treatment techniques. Performing approximately 600 cases each year, Dr. Cunningham stays on the cutting-edge of treatment techniques. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA), International Cartilage Research Society, Colorado Orthopaedic Society, Western Orthopedic Association, and American Medical Association. Committed to orthopedic education and innovation, Dr. Cunningham has published numerous publications, and gives educational lectures. Dr. Cunningham received his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Following medical school, he completed his Orthopedic Residency at the University of Utah School of Medicine. In 2002, Dr. Cunningham completed hi Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship at the prestigious University of Pittsburg Medical Center. During his fellowship, he trained in knee and shoulder arthroscopy and sports medicine. While in Pittsburgh he was the Assistant Team Physician for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburg Penguins. Today, he serves as a Team Physician for the United States Ski Team, Freedom FC (Semi-Pro Soccer Team), Vail Christian High School, and the GoPro Mountain Games. As an avid mountain athlete himself, Dr. Cunningham and his talented team are committed to ensuring each patient returns to their preferred activities. His team is known for providing the highest standard of care and compassion to every patient. Each patient receives the commitment, time and attention required, from both Dr. Cunningham and his team, to deliver a clear treatment path to ensure the best possible outcome. Non-surgical treatments are often the first step in this commitment to patients, and surgery is only recommended when needed.
05/20/2025
Anterior cruciate ligament tears can be fixed surgically with an ACL repair or an ACL reconstruction. ACL repairs utilize the patients native ligament by reattaching/anchoring the proximal type tear back to the patient’s native attachment site. ACL reconstructions using an allograft or autograft are performed when the patient has what is considered a more mid-substance tear that will not allow for adequate healing with a repair technique. In this specific case, due to the proximal nature of the patient’s tear, we are able to surgically fix the ACL utilizing a repair technique.
03/29/2025
Wishing a VERY happy national athletic training month to our two knowledgable and hardworking team ATCs, Roxy and Jordan!!!
From being the first face a patient sees for their initial physical exam and MRI review, to educating patients on their procedure, draping and assisting in surgery, preparing grafts, suturing incisions, applying dressings, fitting braces, and answering postoperative phone calls and emails, our ATCs facilitate EVERY step of patient care.
HAPPY NATM!!!!! 🩻🩺💉🩹🪛
12/15/2024
Dr. Cunningham with Dr. Chip Woodland covering the Women’s Super G at the Birds of Prey in Beaver Creek Mountain.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team
FIS Alpine World Cup Tour
11/17/2024
Edwards surgery day ➡️ annual team Avs game
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Featuring our new PA Shannen (!!!) and our previous PA student Spencer
06/26/2024
Congratulations to Bighorn Gravel on another successful event this year! And a BIG CONGRATS to all the athletes who competed!
It sounds like I'll need to start training for next year's competition! 💪
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Richard Cunningham, MD - Knee & Shoulder Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist
Dr. Richard Cunningham MD is a board-certified, and fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon at Vail Summit Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery. He specializes in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of all knee and shoulder conditions. Trusted by patients for over twenty years, Dr. Cunningham utilizes innovative and minimally invasive techniques to perform a wide range of surgical procedures designed to quickly return patients to their preferred activities and lifestyle. On the cutting-edge of care, Dr. Cunningham integrates regenerative medicine into his patient care, whenever indicated.
Top Colorado Orthopedic Surgeon
As a top knee and shoulder specialist in Colorado, Dr. Cunningham utilize innovative diagnostic techniques to identify the injury and develop a specialized approach to ensure each patient gets back to the activities they enjoy. Each patient receives the proper time and attention to explore all treatment options for an optimal outcome. Dr. Cunningham and his care team understand that each patient’s injury and goals are different, which is why each treatment plan is customized for the patient’s needs.
Dr. Cunningham’s patients – professional athletes to local weekend warriors alike – report high levels of trust and positive outcomes. Along with being the longest tenured and most prolific orthopedic surgeon at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery, he is a US Ski and Snowboard Team Physician.
Committed Orthopedic Care in Vail, Frisco & Edwards, CO
Committed to optimal health for each patient, Dr. Cunningham and his talented care team are dedicated to ensuring each patient returns to their preferred activities. His team is known for providing the highest standard of care and compassion to every patient. Each patient receives the commitment, time and attention required, from both Dr. Cunningham and his team, to deliver a clear treatment path to ensure the best possible outcome. Non-surgical treatments are often the first step in this commitment to patients, and surgery is only recommended when needed.
