Kris Alden, M.D., Ph.D. a highly experienced orthopedic surgeon, has joined the surgical team at The Steadman Clinic in Colorado. Formerly based in Florida, Dr. Alden, brings his expertise in hip and knee care, including extensive experience in joint replacement surgery as well as non-surgical treatment of hip and knee arthritis and related disorders.
With a background in biophysics—he earned his Ph.D. in the field, alongside his M.D. at the University of Illinois—Dr. Alden has a strong interest in the use of innovative surgical techniques. “Patient-specific instrumentation, [for example] is a mechanism that [allows us to] customize the total knee to fit each patient individually and adjust for their sizes, anatomic, dimensions and deformity so we can correct it in an optimal way.” He has also been a leader in establishing clinical care pathways and protocols to allow minimally invasive joint replacement surgery in the outpatient setting, with the goal of achieving a more rapid recovery and return to mobility with fewer complications.
After earning his M.D./Ph.D., subsequent training at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and at the Mayo Clinic cemented Dr. Alden’s interest in hip and knee replacement, minimally invasive surgery, and complex revision surgeries. Many years of practice in the Chicago area followed, where he had earned his undergraduate at the University of Chicago.
A shared commitment to medical excellence and patient-centered care prompted Dr. Alden’s decision to join The Steadman Clinic. “When I first talked to the physicians at Steadman, I was extremely impressed with not only the clinical expertise of the group, but also their overall dedication to outstanding patient care,” Dr. Alden said.
In turn, Marc Philippon, M.D., managing partner of The Steadman Clinic and chair of the Steadman Philippon Research Institute, saw Dr. Alden’s surgical expertise and patient philosophy as an excellent match for The Steadman Clinic. “Bringing an outstanding hip and knee specialist such as Dr. Alden into our roster continues to strengthen our surgical team,” Dr. Philippon said.
Dr. Alden cares for patients at the Steadman Center’s clinics in Aspen Valley and Basalt, Colorado. In a setting often associated with skiing and other athletic pursuits, he sees a range of injuries and conditions, including patients who have developed pain and debility owing to a sedentary lifestyle. For this population, surgery can also make a dramatic difference. “I love what we are able to accomplish with hip and knee replacement procedures because that enables people to become more active and get back to doing the activities that they enjoy, which is what life is all about,” Dr. Alden said.
“Having access to a world-class research facility is just a phenomenal part of the position at The Steadman Clinic and I’m thrilled to be a part of it,” he added.
