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Shoulder, Wrist, or Hand Problem?
You Need a Surgeon that
You Can Trust
BRIAN BUTZEN MD
Double Board-Certified in Orthopedic Surgery and Hand Surgery -
Fellowship-Trained in Shoulder, Wrist and Hand
Proudly serving the Durango, Colorado and Four Corners region since 2013, with a satellite clinic in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
Request an appointment online and get Dr. Butzen's personal response within 24 hours
Performs the most shoulder, wrist, and hand surgeries in the region, with extremely low complication and infection rate (well under 1%).
Straight talk about ALL of your options (surgical and non-surgical) explained in plain english - no medical jargon
Doctor Brian Butzen
Where Care Meets Expertise
Brian Butzen, MD, is a double board-certified orthopedic surgeon recognized for his expertise in treating complex shoulder, hand, and wrist conditions. With over a decade of experience and advanced fellowship training, he performs more than 600 specialized procedures annually, with an exceptional success rate and an infection rate well below 1%. Doctor Butzen is the only surgeon in the region offering innovative treatments, making him a trusted choice for patients seeking progressive care. Known for his accessibility, compassion, and outstanding outcomes, Dr. Butzen is dedicated to providing personalized care that restores function and confidence.
Dr. Butzen practices at Animas Orthopedic Associates, the leading orthopedic clinic in Durango, and also sees patients at a satellite clinic in Pagosa Springs. This accessibility ensures that even patients in more rural areas can receive the specialized care they need without traveling far. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Butzen is committed to helping his community thrive—whether that’s enabling a local skier to return to Purgatory or helping a rancher in Cortez regain full use of their hands.
Take the first step toward expert care and lasting relief
Surgical Services
Doctor Butzen specializes in treating problems of the upper extremity, that includes the clavicle, shoulder, upper arm, elbow, wrist, and hand. These service pages have been created to outline the most common surgical procedures and treatments that he offers. If you have questions about additional procedures, please email doctorbutzen@gmail.com.
Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
Reverse total shoulder replacement is a specialized surgery that switches the ball and socket of your shoulder joint to restore function when the rotator cuff is torn beyond repair. This page explains when this surgery is needed instead of traditional shoulder replacement, how the procedure works, and why recovery focuses on regaining motion rather than repairing tendons.
Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Shoulder replacement surgery replaces the damaged ball and socket joint with artificial components to relieve pain and restore movement. This page explains the difference between total and partial replacement, how the procedure is performed, and why physical therapy is critical for regaining shoulder function.
Shoulder Pain Evaluation
Shoulder pain evaluation involves a physical exam and imaging to determine what's causing your shoulder problem. This page covers the common causes of shoulder pain, what tests might be needed, and how the evaluation helps determine whether you need surgery or non-surgical treatment.
Non-Operative Shoulder Treatment
Non-operative shoulder treatment uses physical therapy, injections, and activity modification to manage shoulder problems without surgery. This page explains which shoulder conditions respond well to conservative treatment, what options are available, and when surgery might become necessary if symptoms don't improve.
Distal Radius Fracture Surgery
Distal radius fracture surgery uses plates and screws to realign and stabilize a broken wrist near the thumb side. This page covers when wrist fractures need surgery versus casting alone, how the procedure restores proper alignment, and why early motion is important for preventing stiffness.
Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery
Carpal tunnel release surgery cuts the ligament pressing on the median nerve in your wrist to relieve numbness and pain. This page covers when surgery is recommended, how the mini-open procedure is performed, and why symptoms often improve quickly while grip strength returns more gradually.
Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release
Endoscopic carpal tunnel release uses a small camera and specialized tools to cut the carpal tunnel ligament through a tiny incision. This page explains how this minimally invasive approach differs from traditional open surgery, the benefits of a smaller incision, and what recovery looks like.
Tendon Repair Surgery
Tendon repair surgery reattaches or reconstructs torn tendons in the hand, wrist, or forearm to restore movement and strength. This page covers the different types of tendon injuries, how repairs are performed, and why hand therapy is necessary to regain full function without re-tearing.
Thumb Arthritis Surgery
Thumb base arthritis surgery removes the damaged joint and reconstructs it using tendon or an implant to restore pain-free pinch and grip. This page covers when surgery is needed, the different surgical techniques available, and why recovery takes several months as strength returns.
Doctor Butzen's Clinic is in the Animas Surgical Hospital building.
Animas Orthopedic Associates
575 Rivergate Lane
Suite 105
Durango, CO 81301
To get there from downtown Durango, follow Highway 3 (East 8th Avenue) South. Turn Right onto Sawmill Road. Follow the road down hill and bear right onto Rivergate Lane. Our building is located at the end of the strip on the right.
