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Looking for a Joint Replacement Surgeon in Westminster?

If you’re dealing with hip or knee pain and searching for a joint replacement surgeon in Westminster, you have two fellowship-trained specialists close to home: Dr. Nirav Shah and Dr. Gregg Koldenhoven at Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies (OCR). Both see patients at the Westminster campus and are part of a practice that performs more than 3,500 joint replacements a year, the highest volume in Colorado.

That volume matters: research links higher surgical volume to fewer complications and better outcomes.

Who Are OCR’s Joint Replacement Specialists in Westminster?

Dr. Nirav Shah and Dr. Gregg Koldenhoven are the two fellowship-trained physicians seeing hip and knee joint replacement patients at OCR’s Westminster campus.

Dr. Shah completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, followed by a fellowship in sports medicine and reconstructive surgery at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute. His specialties include:

  • Sports medicine
  • Shoulder disorders
  • Knee disorders
  • Hip arthroscopy
  • Hip and knee joint replacement

Dr. Koldenhoven has practiced in Boulder County since 2001 and joined the practice in 2006. His training includes advanced reconstructive techniques for the lower extremity, and his specialties include:

  • Foot and ankle care
  • Hip and knee joint replacement
  • Knee disorders

Why Does Surgical Volume Matter When Choosing a Joint Replacement Surgeon?

Here’s something worth knowing: surgeons and hospitals that perform more joint replacements tend to have fewer complications. This isn’t just a guess. It’s backed by research from the National Institutes of Health and the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

OCR is the largest privately-owned orthopedic and spine group in Colorado and performs more than 3,500 total joint replacements every year, more than any other orthopedic practice in the state. Operating a full continuum of care across six Colorado cities with reach into Wyoming and Nebraska, OCR fields a team of 244 staff, including 29 board-certified physicians. In 2025, the practice saw a 22% year-over-year increase in location-based appointment requests and continues to support the patient growth through a new 67,000-square-foot ambulatory surgery center with eight ORs and 21 recovery rooms, built as a joint venture with UCHealth and purpose-designed for high-volume hip, knee, and shoulder replacements. OCR brings the region’s most experienced replacement specialists together under one roof, pairing advanced surgical expertise and modern facilities with a coordinated recovery program that moves patients from diagnosis through surgery to therapy locally.

One study of Medicare patients looked at joint replacement outcomes across the country. It found that as surgeons performed more procedures each year, their patients had fewer complications, up to a certain point. After that point, doing even more procedures didn’t add much extra benefit. The same study found that most surgeons in the U.S. still do fewer procedures than that higher-experience level. That’s worth keeping in mind when you’re choosing who will do your surgery.

Of course, experience in surgical volume alone doesn’t decide how your surgery will go. A few things about you personally matter just as much:

  • Your age
  • How active you are
  • The strength and quality of your bones
  • Your overall health

Some of the factors you can control are choosing a surgeon and a practice with real, ongoing experience in joint replacement, and that’s a meaningful choice to make.

What Technology Does OCR Use for Hip and Knee Replacement?

OCR’s joint replacement surgeons use smaller incisions and robotic tools to help make hip and knee replacement surgery more precise.

Here’s how the robotic tool helps your surgeon along the way:

  • Before surgery, imaging creates a 3D picture of your specific hip or knee
  • Your surgeon uses that picture to plan exactly where your new joint will go
  • During surgery, the robotic tool acts as a guide, not a replacement for your surgeon

It is important to keep in mind that the robot never operates on its own. Your surgeon is in control the entire time of your procedure, as noted in patient education resources from the American Academ of Orthopedic Surgeons.

This technology is just one piece of OCR’s Hip & Knee Joint Replacement program. Pain management and physical therapy that starts early are also part of helping you recover as quickly and safely as possible.

Where Do Westminster Patients Have Consultations and Surgery?

Westminster patients meet with Dr. Shah or Dr. Koldenhoven for their initial evaluation, imaging review, and treatment planning right at the OCR Westminster campus. Surgery itself takes place at one of OCR’s dedicated surgery and recovery centers, and your care team will confirm which location fits your procedure and schedule.

This setup means you get expert-level, start-to-finish care, all at the convenience of a local treatment facility specifically designed for your specific orthopedic recovery. Your care team coordinates your pre-surgical testing and imaging, the procedure itself, and your follow-up visits, so you’re not managing separate systems or facilities on your own.

What Should I Expect at My Joint Replacement Consultation?

Joint replacement care at OCR follows three steps: a consultation, a personalized care plan, and a structured recovery, each designed to keep you informed and supported along the way.

Step 1: Schedule a Consultation

You’ll meet with one of OCR’s fellowship-trained orthopedic specialists to:

  • Discuss your symptoms and daily challenges
  • Review your imaging results (X-ray or MRI)
  • Explore nonsurgical and surgical options tailored to you
  • Get your questions answered in detail

Step 2: Personalized Care Plan

If surgery is recommended, your care team will design a plan that’s unique to your needs. This includes:

  • Pre-surgical education and checklists
  • Instructions for medications, diet, and lifestyle adjustments
  • What to expect during your hospital or surgery center visit
  • Guidance on preparing your home for a safe recovery

Step 3: Recovery & Rehabilitation

Your recovery doesn’t end at surgery. It begins there. After your procedure, you can expect:

  • A physical therapy program tailored to fit your needs
  • Ongoing support from your surgeon and care team
  • Resources and check-ins to monitor progress and ensure confidence as you recover

Ready to Talk to a Joint Replacement Specialist in Westminster?

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Shah or Dr. Koldenhoven at OCR’s Westminster campus. You’ll get an honest evaluation and a treatment plan built around your goals, backed by a practice that performs more joint replacements each year than any other in Colorado, all from a local, independent practice that’s cared for Northern Colorado since 1969.

About Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies Spine Care Specialists

At Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies, our dedicated team of spine care specialists is committed to helping you find relief from morning back pain and various spine-related issues. With a wealth of expertise, our specialists offer personalized solutions to address your unique spine health needs. Whether it’s chronic discomfort or specific conditions, our care physicians are here to guide you toward a pain-free life. Learn more about our specialists and how they can assist you. Your journey to a healthier, pain-free spine starts here.

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