Robert F. LaPrade, MD, PhD - Knee Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist

Robert F. LaPrade, MD, PhD - Knee Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist Complex Knee & Sports Medicine Surgeon at Twin Cities Orthopedic He is also the sole author of the only comprehensive textbook on posterolateral knee injuries.

Often referred to as a “Doctor’s doctor”, Robert LaPrade, MD, PhD is an International Leader in the treatment of complex knee injuries. He specializes in diagnosing and treating complicated knee injuries and previously failed surgeries. From weekend warriors who want to remain active, to Olympic, professional, semi-professional and intercollegiate athletes, Dr. LaPrade has returned many patients back to full functionality. Dr. LaPrade has special expertise in treating posterolateral knee injuries, PCL tears, revision ACL reconstructions, meniscal transplants, MCL injuries, knee osteotomies, fresh osteoarticular allografts, articular cartilage resurfacing procedures, and other difficult combined and revision injuries. Consistently selected as “One of the Best Doctors in America” and “One of the Most Compassionate Doctors”, Dr. LaPrade is passionate about providing high quality, personalized care. As a prolific medical researcher, Dr. LaPrade remains on the cutting edge of surgical techniques. He uses a vast and comprehensive research on sports medicine injuries to improve patient care and invent new ways to treat knee problems. Many of the surgeries that he has devised have been performed worldwide and are recognized as the top level of care for many complex knee surgeries. As one of the world’s most celebrated complex orthopaedic knee sports surgeons, Dr. LaPrade has published more than 250 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts, 75 book chapters, and has given over 750 professional presentations, symposia, and instructional course lectures. He has received many awards for his research, including the OREF Clinical Research Award, considered a Nobel Prize of Orthopaedics. He is recognized as a pioneer in knee research, with many referrals from international and nationally recognized physicians due to his successful patient outcomes and his development of more effective surgical techniques for the reconstruction of complex knee injuries. In addition to his outstanding clinical care and research accomplishments, Dr. LaPrade is also recognized internationally as an outstanding teacher. Dr. LaPrade practices at Twin Cities Orthopedics in Edina and Eagan, MN. His policy is to see athletes and injured patients in a very timely fashion. He sees patients from all over the world and his staff provides a full service environment coupled with a physical therapy program recognized as one of the world’s best. Office appointments can be made by calling 612-615-2240.

A partial meniscectomy is done arthroscopically using two small incisions. Surgeons remove only the torn portion of the ...
12/02/2025

A partial meniscectomy is done arthroscopically using two small incisions. Surgeons remove only the torn portion of the meniscus, carefully “saucerizing” the tear, to prevent catching and pain while preserving as much shock-absorbing tissue as possible.

Knee surgeon, Dr. Robert LaPrade uses a partial meniscectomy to remove the torn portion of the meniscus that is causing pain.

What ACL reconstruction is best for teens?International Olympic Committee guidance: early surgery helps prevent cartilag...
11/28/2025

What ACL reconstruction is best for teens?
International Olympic Committee guidance: early surgery helps prevent cartilage & meniscus damage.

If growth plates are open, surgeons avoid crossing them with hardware and hamstring grafts are common.

Re-tear risk can hit 30%, so functional sports testing is crucial before returning to play.

Minnesota knee specialist Dr. LaPrade ACL reconstruction be performed in young active patients and in patients who report instability with twisting or turning.

Wishing all of his patients near and far a very Happy  . Dr. LaPrade is deeply grateful for the opportunity to support e...
11/27/2025

Wishing all of his patients near and far a very Happy . Dr. LaPrade is deeply grateful for the opportunity to support each patient’s return to movement, sport, and daily life. Your trust and dedication mean more than you know.

11/26/2025
ACL reconstructions are common, but patients still have a 3–5x higher risk of post-traumatic arthritis. Early rehab, esp...
11/23/2025

ACL reconstructions are common, but patients still have a 3–5x higher risk of post-traumatic arthritis. Early rehab, especially restoring quadriceps function, is key to improving joint absorption and slowing arthritis progression.

Cartilage injury and inflammation after an ACL tear can accelerate degeneration, and up to 60% of patients develop knee arthritis after a joint injury.

Experiencing symptoms after ACL surgery? Dr. LaPrade offers in-office consultations.

Knee specialist Robert LaPrade, MD, PhD addresses the risk of osteoarthritis after ACL surgery.

Dr. LaPrade explains how to read an MRI of a posterolateral corner (PLC) knee injury.The PLC is an important part of the...
11/20/2025

Dr. LaPrade explains how to read an MRI of a posterolateral corner (PLC) knee injury.
The PLC is an important part of the knee that helps keep it stable. It’s made up of three main structures:
• The fibular collateral ligament (FCL)
• The popliteus tendon
• The popliteofibular ligament

Understanding these structures on an MRI helps doctors diagnose injuries correctly and plan the best treatment to restore knee stability. Watch the video here ⬇️
https://drrobertlaprademd.com/how-to-read-a-mri-of-a-plc-injury/

NEW Dr LaPrade Study! Imagine building serious leg strength…without crushing weights. That’s what blood flow restriction...
11/18/2025

NEW Dr LaPrade Study! Imagine building serious leg strength…without crushing weights. That’s what blood flow restriction (BFR) training does. Dr. LaPrade’s meta‑analysis showed 58% of studies saw better strength gains using BFR vs traditional training. Check out the latest research ➡️

Lower Extremity Blood Flow Restriction Training in Athletes Significantly Improves Strength-Related Outcomes in 58% of Studies Compared to Non–Blood Flow Restriction Control Authors: Luke V. Tollefson, B.S., Jon Schoenecker, D.P.T., Braidy Solie, D.P.T., Jill Monson, P.T., Christopher M. LaPrade, ...

Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge keep pushing each other—and the record books! Both named MVPs again, cementing their place...
11/17/2025

Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge keep pushing each other—and the record books! Both named MVPs again, cementing their place among baseball’s all-time greats.

The two superstars were once again named MVPs of their respective leagues on Tuesday, further establishing their place among baseball’s all-time greats.

Will a patellar dislocation reoccur?The biggest predictor is your bony anatomy.Patients with a deep trochlea (the groove...
11/13/2025

Will a patellar dislocation reoccur?

The biggest predictor is your bony anatomy.
Patients with a deep trochlea (the groove at the end of the femur) have better kneecap stability, while those with a flatter groove — called trochlear dysplasia — or a high-riding patella (patella alta) face a much higher risk.

📊 Risk of re-dislocation:
• Normal anatomy: 5–10%
• Trochlear dysplasia/patella alta: 30–40%

Most first-time dislocations are treated with focused rehabilitation. When multiple dislocations occur, surgical treatment is usually recommended to restore stability and protect the joint from arthritis. https://drrobertlaprademd.com/patellar-dislocation-treatment-surgery-recovery/

The precision we strive for in surgery mirrors the purpose Veterans carry in service. This  , we honor your discipline, ...
11/11/2025

The precision we strive for in surgery mirrors the purpose Veterans carry in service. This , we honor your discipline, resilience, and sacrifice.

It was with great pleasure that Dr LaPrade was a faculty member at Sports Knee Surgery 2025 at St. George’s Park on Nove...
11/08/2025

It was with great pleasure that Dr LaPrade was a faculty member at Sports Knee Surgery 2025 at St. George’s Park on November 3-4, 2025.

All in all, it was another fantastic course by Tim Spalding and his team. Thanks to all of the co-faculty and attendees for making this a stimulating and fun educational experience.

In this video, Dr. LaPrade reviews how to identify a radial meniscus tear on MRI.These tears differ from others because ...
11/07/2025

In this video, Dr. LaPrade reviews how to identify a radial meniscus tear on MRI.

These tears differ from others because in younger patients, they can be catastrophic, completely destabilizing the meniscus.

Sports medicine knee specialist Robert LaPrade, MD, PhD discusses how to read an MRI of a radial meniscus tear. Dr. LaPrade practices in Minnesota.

Address

4010 W. 65th Street
Edina, MN
55435

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+16126152240

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Complex Knee Specialist - Robert LaPrade, MD PhD

Often referred to as a “Doctor’s doctor”, Robert LaPrade, MD, PhD is an International Leader in the treatment of complex knee injuries. He specializes in diagnosing and treating complicated knee injuries and previously failed surgeries. From weekend warriors who want to remain active, to Olympic, professional, semi-professional and intercollegiate athletes, Dr. LaPrade has returned many patients back to full functionality. Dr. LaPrade has special expertise in treating posterolateral knee injuries, PCL tears, revision ACL reconstructions, meniscal transplants, MCL injuries, knee osteotomies, fresh osteoarticular allografts, articular cartilage resurfacing procedures, and other difficult combined and revision injuries. Consistently selected as “One of the Best Doctors in America” and “One of the Most Compassionate Doctors”, Dr. LaPrade is passionate about providing high quality, personalized care. As a prolific medical researcher, Dr. LaPrade remains on the cutting edge of surgical techniques. He uses a vast and comprehensive research on sports medicine injuries to improve patient care and invent new ways to treat knee problems. Many of the surgeries that he has devised have been performed worldwide and are recognized as the top level of care for many complex knee surgeries. As one of the world’s most celebrated complex orthopaedic knee sports surgeons, Dr. LaPrade has published more than 250 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts, 75 book chapters, and has given over 750 professional presentations, symposia, and instructional course lectures. He has received many awards for his research, including the OREF Clinical Research Award, considered a Nobel Prize of Orthopaedics. He is also the sole author of the only comprehensive textbook on posterolateral knee injuries. He is recognized as a pioneer in knee research, with many referrals from international and nationally recognized physicians due to his successful patient outcomes and his development of more effective surgical techniques for the reconstruction of complex knee injuries. In addition to his outstanding clinical care and research accomplishments, Dr. LaPrade is also recognized internationally as an outstanding teacher. He has been awarded several teaching awards, including the last 3 annual teaching awards given by the fellows at the Steadman Clinic Sports Medicine Fellowship program. Dr. LaPrade practices at Twin Cities Orthopedics in Edina and Eagan, MN. His policy is to see athletes and injured patients in a very timely fashion. He sees patients from all over the world and his staff provides a full service environment coupled with a physical therapy program recognized as one of the world’s best. Office appointments can be made by calling 612-615-2240.