William Sterett, M.D. Orthopedic Surgeon - Knee Specialist
Orthopedic Surgeon & Head Team Physician for the U.S. Women Alpine Ski Team Women's Alpine Ski Team
Dr. Sterett is an Orthopedic Surgeon in Vail, Colorado specializing in Sports Medicine, and the Head Physician for the U.S.
11/20/2025
After years of knee pain from an old injury, local skier and builder Chupa Nelson turned to Dr. Sterett for help. Together, they delayed surgery through PT and smart care until the time was right for a total knee replacement, one that got Chupa back to skiing pain-free.
Check out the full story here:
“Aside from being a phenomenal human being and a helluva skier, he really listens to you. He respects the fact that you want to get back to your sport and perform at the highest level possible.”
11/18/2025
Did you know? Nearly 20% of total lumbar motion comes from the L4–L5 segment of the spine, the very level Tiger Woods likely just had a disc replacement.
Dr. Sterett, orthopaedic surgeon and avid golfer, explains how this procedure can preserve motion, reduce pain, and help athletes like Tiger maintain club-head speed, but not without trade-offs.
Read Dr. Sterett’s full breakdown of Tiger’s theoretical surgery and what it means for his game: https://buff.ly/6j2KFTq
11/13/2025
In case you missed it 👏 After more than three decades of innovation, leadership, and compassionate care, Dr. William Sterett will retire from Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery at the end of this year.
From serving as Head Team Physician for the U.S. Women’s Alpine Ski Team to advancing orthopedic care for athletes of all levels, Dr. Sterett’s impact has been extraordinary.
Thank you, Dr. Sterett, for your years of dedication to patients, athletes, and our mountain community.
📖 Read more:
Dr. William Sterett, longtime head team physician for the U.S. Women’s Alpine Ski Team and sports medicine pioneer, will retire from Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery effective December 31. With a career spanning more than three decades, Dr....
11/11/2025
Today, we honor the brave men and women who have served our country with courage, dedication, and sacrifice. As we enjoy the freedoms their service has protected, we extend our deepest gratitude to all veterans - including those in our mountain communities - for their strength and commitment.
Thank you for your service. 🇺🇸
11/05/2025
An injury can take you out of the game, but it doesn’t have to take you out of the team. In his latest blog post, Dr. Sterett of VSON shares how athletes can find strength in recovery, stay connected, and come back stronger than ever.
In this Sports Medicine Minute Dr. Bill Sterett explains what happens when you tear your meniscus - the cushion between your femur and tibia - and how he determines the best treatment plan for each patient.
Not all meniscus tears require surgery, but if you’re experiencing locking, catching, or swelling, it’s time to get it checked.
Watch here:
https://drsterett.com/In this Sports Medicine Minute video, Dr. Bill Sterett discusses meniscus tears. The meniscus is the cushion between the femur and the ...
10/30/2025
In this video, Dr. Sterett shares what makes his team at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery so special - from their commitment to patient care to the collaboration that drives exceptional outcomes.
For young athletes, the drive to keep training can be strong, but rest is just as essential as practice. In his latest blog post, Dr. William Sterett shares why recovery time is key to preventing overuse injuries and building lasting strength on and off the field.
From fighting wildfires to fighting his way back to full strength - Vail firefighter and EMT, Isaiah Hartman, faced an unexpected setback after tearing his ACL while battling a blaze near Piney Lake.
With expert care from Dr. Sterett and dedication to his rehab, Isaiah regained full range of motion within weeks and is already back to the active lifestyle he loves. 💪
📖 Read Isaiah’s story:
“Dr. Sterett did an incredible job. He has an easy-going bedside manner. I would recommend him to anyone.”
10/21/2025
Ski season is almost here! Are your knees, shoulders, and muscles ready for the slopes? ⛷️🏂
Dr. William Sterett, Orthopedic Surgeon at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, shares essential preseason training tips to help you boost strength, prevent injury, and stay mountain-ready all winter long.
Considering orthopedic surgery? Feeling prepared starts with asking the right questions.
Dr. William Sterett, Orthopedic Surgeon at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, shares the 10 essential questions to bring to your appointment, helping you feel informed, confident, and ready for recovery.
🎥 Sports Medicine Minute with Dr. Bill Sterett: What should I do if my shoulder pops out?
From skiing and mountain biking to kayaking and lacrosse, shoulder dislocations are common in active patients. Dr. Sterett, Orthopedic Surgeon at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, explains why age, activity level, and even growth plates matter when deciding the best treatment.
💡 Under 20? The risk of repeat dislocation is over 90%.
💡 Over 35? The risk drops below 10%, but rotator cuff tears become a bigger concern.
💡 High-consequence athletes? Surgery may be the safest route.
Learn what to do next if your shoulder dislocates, and how to protect yourself moving forward.
👉 Watch now:
https://drsterett.com/In this Sports Medicine Minute video, shoulder surgeon Dr. Bill Sterett answers the question, "What to do when my shoulder pops out?". ...
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World Renowned Surgeon. World Class Location. Meet Dr. Bill Sterett.
Dr. Bill Sterett is the Head Team Physician for the US Women’s Alpine Ski Team and has been since 1997, with athletes over the years such as Picabo Street, Kristina Koznick, Caroline LaLive, Lindsey Vonn, Julia Mancuso and Mikaela Shiffrin.
He has served as a US Olympic Committee Team Physician for the past four Winter Olympic Games, with the US Olympic Committee entrusting the care of their athletes to Dr. Sterett in Salt Lake City, Torino, Vancouver and Sochi.
Dr. Sterett is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, a member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, a member of the Arthroscopy Association of North America, and is one of the few physicians who have earned a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine.
Dr. Sterett has published more than 30 peer-reviewed articles and has lectured regionally, nationally and internationally on hundreds of occasions over the past twenty years. He currently holds patents on orthopedic devices involved in Joint Preservation and works as a consultant to Arthrex and Biomet sports medicine companies.
Dr. Sterett started the Athletic Training Fellowship Program in Vail, Colorado, and served as its Fellowship Director for 15 years. Additionally, he has served as the Medical Director for the Eagle County School District for 14 years, making daily return-to-play decisions and treating local student athletes. Currently, he serves as the Medical Director for the Vail Valley Surgery Centers and has for the past 12 years.
Dr. Sterett’s website | Dr. Sterett’s Blog | The Female ACL Website
