6 Reasons to Choose Meeker for Your Orthopedics Procedure

Colorado Advanced Orthopedics (CAO) is rapidly becoming one of the hottest medical tourism destinations in the state. Patients from all around Colorado regularly travel to Meeker for orthopedic surgery, and we even see a good number of out-of-state patients. Based on internal patient data from July 1, 2020 to April 1 2023, an average of 60% of our orthopedic patients and 26% of hospital patients come from outside Meeker.

There are many reasons why CAO has built a reputation as a top tier medical tourism destination.

Exceptional Orthopedic Treatment that Exceeds Industry Standards

Most importantly, Colorado Advanced Orthopedics delivers topflight orthopedic and sports medicine care that is on par with treatments provided in major urban locations. If the quality of care wasn’t first rate, the rest of the benefits of coming to Meeker wouldn’t really matter. But when patients visit CAO, they have peace of mind that they’re being treated by some of the finest, most experienced, board-certified and fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons in the state.

Colorado Advanced Orthopedics regularly achieves patient outcomes that exceed industry standards. According to the most recent surgical patient outcome data from Stryker Orthopaedics, which tracks over 1 million patient records and 105 million actionable data points across 180 hospitals nationwide, CAO’s Dr. Kevin Borchard’s surgical outcomes surpass industry standards in a variety of metrics, including:

• 100% of patients were discharged home, indicating their level of mobility at the time of discharge eliminated the need for inpatient rehabilitation centers or skilled nursing facilities in all cases
• Patients walked 336 feet on average before discharge (35% higher than other patients in Stryker’s database)
• 30-day patient admittance to the hospital averaged 0.83% (national average is 1.32%)
• 90-day emergency department/observation admittance average was 4.15% (national average is 4.91%)
• 0% of patients required a blood transfusion (0.61% of patients in Stryker’s database received a transfusion)

Meeker Is a Hotbed for Outdoor Recreation

Meeker is located in Rio Banco County. Approximately 75% of the land in the county is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service and the State of Colorado. The White River runs along the town, and Meeker is located near the base of the iconic Flat Tops Wilderness. With such immense natural beauty in our back yard, it should come as no surprise that Field and Stream Magazine referred to Meeker and the entire White River Valley as “One of America’s Best Wild Places.”

While you may not be up for strenuous outdoor activity prior to or immediately after undergoing orthopedic surgery, Meeker offers a wide range of activities for the rest of your family to enjoy. This allows you to turn your procedure into an excuse for a family vacation. Regardless of the time of year, Meeker provides your family with a virtually limitless outdoor playground featuring world-class:

• Hiking
• Biking
• Motorized recreation trails
• Fishing
• Hunting
• Camping
• Snowmobiling
• Water sports

Meeker Is a Great Leaf Peeping Destination in the Fall

If you’re a fan of fall foliage, Meeker provides one of the best locations in the state to soak in beautiful scenery as the leaves change color. You can take a drive along the Flat Tops Trail scenic byway, an 82-mile drive starting in Meeker and ending in Yampa. You’ll find lots of picturesque pull-offs along this scenic drive, allowing you to experience the fall foliage in all its splendor.

Meeker Has a Variety of Festivals

With a robust roster of annual festivals, you can soak in the local entertainment year round. Highlights include:

• The Meeker Summer Rodeo Series
• The Range Call Fourth of July Celebration
• The Meeker Mustang Makeover
• The Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials
• The Jammin Lamb Festival
• The Parade of Lights
• The Meeker Skijoring Race

Meeker Contains Many Notable Historic Landmarks

The White River Valley is an area rich in cultural heritage. The town of Meeker was incorporated in 1885 and contains a variety of notable historic landmarks that will appeal to any history afficionado. Some highlights include:

• Milk Creek Battle Monument – This monument commemorates the Milk Creek Battle, an iconic moment in Meeker’s history which ended the Ute Native American’s fight for their territory and led to Meeker’s incorporation as a town.
• Meeker Massacre Monument – This site highlights another important moment in Meeker’s history, when Nathan Meeker and several other Christian missionaries were massacred just outside of town in the 1880s.
• Founding of Meeker Monument – Unveiled on July 4^th, 1949, this monument commemorates the founding fathers of the town.
• White River Museum – Located in an old Meeker US Calvary Garrison, this museum will educate you on the town’s rich history.
• Old West Heritage Culture Center – This “old west” themed building, theater and research center provides a window into Meeker’s rich history.

Meeker Offers a Wide Range of Excellent Dining and Shopping Options

Meeker has a wide range of dining options to enhance your stay. The overwhelming majority of restaurants are owned and operated by local entrepreneurs, allowing you to experience more local flair than is possible in locations dominated by regional or national chains.

Enjoy artisanal coffee and pastries from our local coffee shops and cafes early in the morning. Break up the day with lunch at one of our hearty sandwich shops. For dinner, you can choose from a wide range of authentic ethnic  or American cuisine options. In the summer, you can enhance your dining experience on an outdoor patio. There’s something for everyone.

You can also peruse a variety of shops in our downtown area. Browse antiques, country home décor, and a wide range of one-of-a-kind Meeker made products. It provides a great way to enjoy an afternoon before your procedure or while you’re recovering.

Colorado Advanced Orthopedics Is the Go-To Medical Tourism Destination on the Western Slope

If you need orthopedic treatment for a sports injury, Colorado Advanced Orthopedics will provide the exceptional quality care you deserve. Whether you live on the Western Slope, the Front Range or out of state, CAO will provide you with first rate treatment from some of the most highly trained orthopedic surgeons in the state.

With our exceptional patient outcomes and the wide range of activities to enjoy in Meeker, it’s no surprise CAO has developed a reputation as one of the top medical tourism destinations in the region. Our board-certified surgeons will help you restore a pain free life so that you can get back to enjoying your favorite activities as soon as possible.

Contact us to schedule an appointment.