ACL Doctor & Sports Medicine Physician
For over a decade, Dr. Cunningham has cared for patients in the Vail Valley and in Summit County Colorado. In addition, he has patients from across the country and world that travel to seek his care. With a reputation for providing compassionate care and great surgical outcomes, Dr. Cunningham values the collaboration and relationship he has with his many patients.
Dr. Cunningham was trained at the prestigious Sports Medicine Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh – regarded by orthopedists as one of the best knee and shoulder fellowship programs. During his time there, he was an associate physician for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins. Following his fellowship, he joined Vail Summit Orthopedics, where he treats athletes of all levels. Dr. Cunningham is a team physician for the U.S. Ski Team, Freedom FC Soccer Club, and to area high schools.
Orthopedics in the Local Community
An active and passionate member of the mountain community, Dr. Cunningham provides free sports medicine physicals to high school athletes every year. He also lends his expertise through offering knee stability checks for skiers at the start of the Vail ski season.
An educator at heart, Dr. Cunningham offers regular community lectures on knee and shoulder injuries as well as educational seminars to primary care and emergency room physicians and ski patrollers at Vail-area ski resorts. He regularly contributes sports medicine articles to local publications, including the Vail Daily.
Orthopedic Awards for Excellence
Dr. Cunningham served as Chief of Surgery at Vail Valley Medical Center from 2008 to 2015. In 2010, he received the Clinical Excellence Award from his physician colleagues at the Center. He is also a member of professional orthopedic organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Arthroscopy Association of North America and American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine.
Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Education & Training
Hospital Affiliations
Richard Cunningham, MD Reviews
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"Thank you for your exceptional care and kindness as well as working around my schedule for my upcoming knee surgery. You and your staff both at the Frisco office and the Edwards office are the best!"
"Easy to communicate with, he does not talk over your comprehension with big medical terminology, and takes his time explaining situations."
I’ve seen Dr. Cunningham and staff twice, once for each Shoulder within the last five years, I’m a active duty Colorado Army National Guard helicopter mechanic at the High Altitude Aviation training Site (HAATS). I have full range of motion in both shoulders! I can’t say enough about their quality of care and professionalism! Dr. Cunningham, Erika, Victoria and Chad are the best of the BEST! I would not go to anybody else for a shoulder or knee injury. Dr Cunningham should be your “ Go to Doc”. He’s definitely mine!
When Layna Gillaspy shattered her kneecap in Arkansas, her husband suggested she get treated by Dr. Cunningham at Vail-Summit Orthopedics & Neurosurgery. “Due to the complexity of the injury, we wanted to make sure we were getting the best care possible,” said Layna. “What I really appreciated the most about Dr. Cunningham’s style of care was his calmness and how extremely reassuring he was with me. I knew this was a complex injury and I was nervous about the outcome. I felt very confident in Dr. Cunningham. Overall, he is just a very caring individual.” Layna is now 11 months post-operative, and her knee is getting better each day. “I am so appreciative of Dr. Cunningham and his whole team!”
"When I broke my kneecap, you treated me with kindness, professionalism, and expertise. I was truly appreciative of the time you spent explaining the procedure and healing process."
#1 knee and shoulder team in two counties , eagle/summit. Dr. Cunningham took excellent care of both my knee's and my shoulder , I wouldn't let anyone work on me!!
World class Surgeons in Vail!
Thanks Dr Cunningham my knee replacement changed my life and I got back to hikes in the mountains with my dogs
Both myself and our son are former patients of Dr Cunningham’s. We are both doing so well! We both are back to doing all the sports and activities that we want to be doing. We both had such incredible experiences with Dr C. You get the full deal with Dr C - incredible expertise and skill and a patient, caring, good listener. He is an exceptional doctor. We are SO grateful to have been in his care.
There aren't enough words for the appreciation of your skills, your staff and the Peak One crew in bringing Bob's knee back to a full recovery!! We will be forever grateful!! - Pat & Bob F.
Dr. Cunningham is the Koby Bryant of orthopedic surgeons and it's my understanding that he worked on Kobe. Every point of contact with Vail Summit Orthopedics has been impressive... from the reception desk to the nurses to the way they run their business... an extremely High level of Excellence. This is by far the best Healthcare experience I've ever had.
Dr Cunningham and the entire VSO staff exceeded all of my expectations. It was so convenient to use the walk in clinic. I was amazed that we could get everything done in one visit....clinical exam, xrays and MRI right in their office. They added me to the surgical schedule that week and the entire surgery team was professional, experienced, and efficient. Two weeks later my knee feels better than ever. Great experience. Highly recommended.
I had my ACL and MCL repaired by Dr. Cunningham. He provided me with ample education to make an informed decision on the procedure (own tendon vs. cadaver). The staff is great as well.
Awesome care. Excellent staff. World class. Thank you.
I have heard only positive comments about Dr. Cunningham and I was very impressed with his staff and his personality. I have very high confidence in his professional manner and his medical opinion. I have worked in an orthopedic office as well as a physical therapy clinic and fine VSO to offer superior medical treatment. I would highly recommend it to others seeking professional medical treatment!
Dr. Cunningham was on call when I shattered my collarbone snowboarding in Vail. He operated on me within 6 hours and I was able to go home that night. I'm currently 12 weeks out from the surgery and my physical therapist has told me I'm about a month ahead of schedule compared to other collarbone surgery recoveries he's been a part of. I'm cleared to golf and have recovered full range of motion. I had a plate and 10 screws put into my collarbone so the fact I'm ahead of schedule is amazing.
I was impressed when Dr Cunningham chose no surgery for a meniscus injury. Instead he instructed rest from certain sports and home PT 4-6 weeks. Great results!
Listens to his patients and explains everything thoroughly. Very kind.
Very competent. Shares information easily. Very patient with my questions. My wife and I trusted explicitly.
I saw Dr. Cunningham because my knees have grown increasingly painful as the ski season continues. He ordered new xrays to compare to those of 3-2016. The new x-rays revealed that left knee is now bone-on-bone and rt knee is closer to being bone-on-bone. We discussed next steps and he advised me to consult w/Dr. Cafferky, which I did yesterday. Dr. Cunningham is thoughtful, respectful, knowledgeable, and kind.
Dr. Cunningham and his team provided superb care through my ACL repair. I needed to have surgery quickly after the injury and VSO and Dr. Cunningham made it happen, less than 14 days after the injury. Making appointments was easy, he and his team were always on time and they made it easy to do pre and post op appointments remotely as I would have to travel 2 hours or more in the winter. If any knee issues come up in the future I would not hesitate contacting Dr. Cunningham.
I landed in a tree after 40ft in the air tore my ACL, MCL, PCL and knee capsule plus a couple other things. DR Cunningham is a god with the work he did on my knee. He did an amazing job at putting everything back were it should be and getting me back doing the things I love to do. I wouldn't wish a knee injury on anyone, But if you do get one. Go see DR Cunningham he will not disappoint.
I had an ACL reconstruction and MCL repair with Dr. Cunningham. He was attentive, patient, empathetic, and took the time to answer all of my questions. I felt extremely comfortable and well cared for by both him and his entire staff.