Mitchell John II, MD
Dr. John is a highly skilled orthopedic surgeon specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and surgical management of conditions affecting the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. With extensive training both in the United States and abroad, Dr. John brings a wealth of expertise in various orthopedic surgical techniques, including joint replacement, arthroscopic surgery, and fracture management.
Areas of Expertise
Dr. John is well-versed in a broad range of orthopedic procedures, with a particular focus on hand and upper extremity surgery. His expertise includes:
- Hand and Wrist Surgery: Treatment of conditions such as nerve issues, tendon injuries, and fractures.
- Shoulder Surgery: Including rotator cuff repair, shoulder replacements, and arthroscopic procedures.
- Elbow Surgery: Management of fractures, joint replacement, minimally invasive arthroscopy surgery and soft tissue injuries.
Early Life and Education
Born and raised in the heart of Cajun country in Acadia Parish, Louisiana, he was one of four siblings. He pursued his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he pursued a major in Biology and minors in both Business Administration and Chemistry.
Following his undergraduate studies, he earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University in New Orleans. His time at LSU coincided with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and he had the unique opportunity to be among the first medical students to rotate through the newly constructed University Medical Center in New Orleans. This formative experience played a crucial role in shaping his career and deepening his commitment to the field of orthopedics.
Training and Professional Development
During medical school, he was involved in research and held leadership roles in clubs related to orthopedics and sports medicine. He was honored with the prestigious Alexander King Award for being the top medical student pursuing a career in orthopedics, an acknowledgment of his dedication and potential in the field.
Dr. John completed his residency training in orthopedic surgery in Tampa, Florida where he trained with world renowned experts in hand and wrist, shoulder, and orthopedic trauma surgery. In his final year of residency Dr. John served as the Administrative Chief Resident and was awarded the Blaine Markee Outstanding Chief Resident Award. He then pursued a fellowship in Cleveland, OH where he trained at both The Cleveland Clinic and MetroHealth in surgery of the upper extremity including hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder surgery.
Dr. John further honed his skills in shoulder surgery in the United States and France where he had the opportunity to learn from past presidents of both the US and European Shoulder and Elbow Societies. Upon pursing additional fellowship training in France, he explored innovative surgical approaches such as the subscapularis-sparing technique for total shoulder replacement, which he incorporates into his practice within Panorama Orthopedics.
Dr. John has been active in both clinical research and educational chapters in Orthopaedic Surgery. He has published several peer-reviewed original articles in orthopaedic journals such as Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, The Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, The Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Orthopedics, Hand Clinics, Techniques in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery, and The Journal of Orthopedic Experience & Innovation.
Philosophy of Care
Dr. John’s approach is built on ensuring that patients fully understand their condition, treatment options, and what to expect during recovery. He is especially attuned to the challenges patients face in navigating the healthcare system and strives to explain complex medical concepts in a way that empowers patients to make informed decisions about their health. “It’s fulfilling to help people. I’m not someone who is money motivated and that doesn’t drive me – It’s all about bridging the gap between the knowledge that we have as professionals and the understanding of our patients to help them.” he shares.
Personal Life and Interests
Dr. John, his wife, Megan, & daughter, Evangeline, relocated to Colorado with the dream of living in the mountains, a goal they shared. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors whether it’s skiing, hiking & fishing along with attending concerts. He grew up fishing and hunting and since relocating to Colorado, he would like to learn how to fly fish. Dr. John is the go-to chef in his family, especially when it comes to Cajun cooking. “Every year in residency and fellowship, I’ve boiled crawfish and made crawfish etouffee & gumbo for everyone….cooking is my peace.”