Dr. Alex Meininger
Alexander K. Meininger, MD is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon with Fellowship Training in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine that affords him additional qualifications (CAQ). Dr. Meininger is a Denver native and Managing Partner in the prestigious Steamboat Orthopaedic & Spine Institute since 2018. He has practiced in Steamboat Springs, Colorado since 2012. He has a special interest in caring for active patients. Dr. Meininger is recognized by the Arthroscopy Association of North America as a national leader in minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery. His clinical interest includes sports injuries of the knee, shoulder, and hip - such as ACL, meniscus, and knee cartilage injuries; as well as rotator cuff tears, shoulder dislocations, and hip labral surgery.
After graduating from Regis Jesuit High School, Dr. Meininger attended the University of Colorado at Boulder on scholarship. At CU, he majored in Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, received a minor in Biochemistry and skied competitively with the CU Freestyle Ski Team. Dr. Alex went on to Chicago where he received his medical degree from Rush University. He completed his Orthopaedic Surgery residency at the University of Illinois in association with Illinois Bone and Joint Institute. Dr. Alex did his fellowship training in Sports Medicine at the prestigious University of Chicago. He has been a Team Physician for the MLS Chicago Fire professional soccer team, the Chicago Sky WNBA team, the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Concordia University collegiate athletes.
Dr. Alex is an Official U.S. Ski Team Physician. He is a consulting physician for SRAM, Velonews - The Journal of Competitive Cycling, Western Spirit Tours, Outerbike, and the Big Mountain Enduro series. He is a recognized leader in his field, invited speaker, and accomplished author having written textbooks, book chapters, and scientific articles widely published in the peer-reviewed literature. Dr. Alex is himself a competitive cyclist, avid skier, and outdoorsman who enjoys time outside with his wife.
Special Interests:
Sports Medicine, minimally invasive, arthroscopic surgery, joint preservation, ACL knee reconstruction, ligament, cartilage & meniscal injury, injury prevention, arthroscopic management of knee, hip & shoulder.
Licensure:
Colorado, Utah
Certifications:
- Board Certified, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2013.
- Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Subspecialty Qualification (CAQ), 2015.
Education:
- University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado: B.A. 2000.
- Rush Medical College of Rush University, Chicago, Illinois: M.D. 2005.
Residency:
Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago, IL: 2010.
Fellowship:
Sports Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL: 2011.
Sports Team Affiliations:
- United States Ski Team, Official Team Physician 2011- Present
- Grand County High School Red Devils, Moab, UT - Team Physician 2011- Present
- Canyonlands PRCA Rodeo, Moab, UT - Medical Director
- US Pro Cycling Challenge, World Anti Doping Agency Physician, 2012
- Velonews, Journal of Competitive Cycling, Consulting Physician 2008 – Present
- Western Spirit Tours, Consulting Physician 2011 – Present
- Chicago Fire MLS Soccer, Team Physician, 2011
- Chicago Sky WNBA Basketball, Team Physician, 2005-2010
- University of Chicago, NCAA Division III, 2011
- Concordia University, NCAA Division III, 2011
- University of Illinois at Chicago, NCAA Division I, 2005-2010
Professional Affiliations:
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
- Arthroscopy Association of North America
- American Orthopaedic Association, Emerging Leader
- Western Orthopaedic Society
- Mid-American Orthopaedic Association
- Colorado Orthopaedic Society, Western Slope Chapter
Publications:
Dr. Meininger has published and presented dozens of scientific articles and book chapters including a text dedicated to the Leg Pain in the Running Athlete. His research has been selected for presentation on the national, regional, and local levels by his peers.
Research Interests:
Sports injury prevention, ACL tears, rotator cuff tears
Physician Education:
Dr. Meininger is active as an Associate Master’s Instructor of Arthroscopy volunteering regularly with the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) to enhance surgeon training in arthroscopic techniques. He has been selected as an Emerging Leader by his peers among the prestigious American Orthopaedic Association. He is an active committee member for AANA and a reviewer for the scientific journal, Arthroscopy.
Community Education:
Dr. Meininger has written numerous articles on sports-related topics for national publications such as Velonews among others. He is passionate about orthopaedic sports medicine and you may encounter his lectures, radio programs, or newspaper headlines.