Dr. Richard Cunningham, M.D., earned his medical degree at University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, and completed his Orthopaedic Surgery residency at University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT. He then finished his fellowship in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr. Richard Cunningham, M.D., earned his medical degree at University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, and completed his Orthopaedic Surgery residency at University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT. He then finished his fellowship in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr. Richard Cunningham, M.D. , is one of the busiest and longest-tenured sports medicine surgeon at Vail-Summit Orthopedics & Neurosurgery. He is a US Ski Team Physician and treats professional athletes and weekend warriors alike, helping all athletes get back to their sport and the activities they enjoy. He specializes in arthroscopic surgeries of the knee and shoulder, in which he repairs complex problems in these joints with minimally invasive techniques. He is one of the busiest ACL surgeons in the Vail Valley. He pioneered ACL repair surgery in the mountains. In this technique, small instruments and anchors are used to arthroscopically repair and save a torn ACL ligament instead of always completely removing the damaged ligament and reconstructing it with a tendon graft. This groundbreaking ACL repair technique allows a patient to save their original ACL, lose less muscle mass as there is less pain and swelling with surgery, and return to sports in half the time of a normal ACL reconstruction surgery.
Dr. Cunningham is conservative and treats patients without surgery whenever possible. However, if you need surgery, know that you are in great hands. Dr. Cunningham is the sports medicine surgeon that locals and out-of-town guests know and seek out, given his great outcomes and kind and compassionate bedside manner.
After his orthopedic residency, Dr. Cunningham completed a sports medicine fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, which is regarded by orthopaedists as one of the best sports medicine programs in the country. There he worked with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Dr. Cunningham then joined Vail-Summit Orthopedics in 2003. Dr. Cunningham was drawn to this practice given the world-class care that was being provided here in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.
Dr. Cunningham served as the Chief of Surgery at Vail Valley Medical Center for eight years. His physician colleagues at Vail Valley Medical Center awarded him the Clinical Excellence Award for outstanding orthopedic work using the latest surgical techniques.
In addition to the US Ski Team, Dr. Cunningham volunteers his time in the community. He gives orthopedic lectures before every ski season to local primary care physicians and physical therapists. He speaks with Ski Patrollers at our ski resorts every year about how to treat various orthopedic fractures and joint injuries. He is the team physician at Vail Christian High school. He provides free high school student physicals before the start of every school year for area high school students. When not working or volunteering, Dr. Cunningham can be found on the sidelines of his kid’s soccer or volleyball games, riding his mountain bike or road bike in the warmer months, or skiing with his kids in the winter months.
Cunningham is fantastic. Lucky to have him in our valley.
I am extremely satisfied with my experience with Dr Cunningham. He is always super kind, attentive and very informative. He takes time to explain everything clearly and makes you feel comfortable. I highly recommend Dr Cunningham to anyone seeking excellent care and professionalism.
One of the best physicians I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. Competency as a surgeon along with a stellar bedside manner. It’s difficult to find a doctor that has both these days.
Roxy was extremely helpful with rushing my insurance through.
He was very caring and gave me options to think about.
Es muy explícito en su revisiony claro al dar los resultados
Doctor Cunningham has been very helpful in explaining what’s going on with my shoulder and what the next step might be to full recovery.
Very impressed with Dr Cunningham who accurately diagnosed and treated my shoulder injury. I called that AM when office opened, made a 0930 appt. I was in a room on time, he walked in 3 minutes later, and I was out by 1000. Very efficient office. I am a retired MD, and really liked Dr Cunningham
Took the time to explain the differences in the shots and what he thought would work best for my pain.
Thank you Dr Cunningham and staff PA, don’t know how to spell her name but I know she’s from Mexico City. So appreciate they were able to see my husband quickly after his MRI. What a relief no tares on his knee and he should on the mend 4-6 weeks