Brian Butzen, MD

When Dr. Brian Butzen chose to make Durango, Colorado his home in 2013, he brought a commitment to excellence that would define his career over the next decade. This fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon has dedicated himself to serving the Four Corners region, helping patients throughout Durango, Colorado, Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Farmington, New Mexico, and Cortez, Colorado get back to doing what they love most.

Dr. Butzen’s medical journey began at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where his Wisconsin work ethic shaped his approach to patient care. After earning his medical degree from the Medical University of Ohio in 2007, he completed his orthopedic surgery residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. During residency, he gained valuable experience treating high-level sports injuries while providing team coverage for Syracuse University, the Syracuse Chiefs baseball team, and the Syracuse Crunch hockey team.

His specialized fellowship training in hand and upper extremity surgery at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles County Hospital prepared him for the complex shoulder, wrist, and hand conditions he would treat in Durango. But Dr. Butzen didn’t stop there. Throughout his decade of practice, he has continually educated himself and worked to improve his skills, ultimately achieving double board certification in both orthopedic surgery and hand surgery – a rare accomplishment that sets him apart in the Four Corners region.

Since joining Animas Orthopedic Associates, Dr. Butzen has become known for innovative patient care approaches. He developed a groundbreaking video review system for arthroscopic shoulder surgeries, including rotator cuff surgery, where he records custom videos after each procedure. This technology is unavailable anywhere else and helps patients understand exactly what was repaired during their surgery. He is also the only provider in the region offering the cutting-edge lower trapezius tendon transfer surgery for young people with irreparable rotator cuff tears. This technology is unavailable anywhere else and helps patients understand exactly what was repaired during their surgery.

Dr. Butzen’s expertise covers a comprehensive range of services: rotator cuff surgery, reverse total shoulder replacement surgery, endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery, carpal tunnel release surgery, distal radius fracture surgery, trigger finger release surgery, clavicle fracture surgery, tendon repair surgery, wrist arthritis surgery, thumb arthritis surgery, de quervain (wrist) tendinitis surgery, nerve repair surgery, shoulder replacement surgery, shoulder pain evaluation, wrist and hand pain evaluation, platelet-rich plasma therapy, and non-operative (non-surgical) shoulder treatment.

One innovation patients particularly appreciate is his in-office procedure room, where many surgeries can be performed safely with cost savings up to 85% compared to hospital procedures.

Dr. Butzen’s own love for Colorado’s outdoor lifestyle – including cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and trail running – helps him understand what his patients need to return to their active lives. His satellite clinic in Pagosa Springs, Colorado ensures patients throughout the Four Corners region have access to specialized orthopedic care close to home.

After more than a decade of continuous learning and skill development in Durango, Dr. Butzen has built a reputation for combining technical excellence with genuine care for his patients and community.