Chance J. Henderson, MD

Dr. Chance Henderson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with advanced fellowship training in hand and microvascular surgery. With over three decades of military service and a diverse background as a pharmacy technician, professional calf roper, fighter pilot, and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Henderson brings a rare combination of precision, discipline, and dedication to every patient he treats.

A proud veteran and Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force, Dr. Chance Henderson began his career as an enlisted pharmacy technician in 1989 and soon earned an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he graduated in 1996. After serving as a recruiter and competing professionally in rodeo, he trained as a fighter pilot, flying the F-15C in combat missions over Iraq. Following his distinguished aviation career, Dr. Henderson attended medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and went on to complete his orthopedic surgery residency through the Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium in San Antonio.

He further specialized with a Hand and Microvascular Surgery Fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio where he also trained in UTHSCSA’s shoulder and elbow fellowship where he learned to treat complex upper extremity reconstruction from the shoulder to the hands. Since completing his training, Dr. Henderson has served at the U.S. Air Force Academy as Chief of Hand Surgery, Chief of Orthopedic Surgery, and Chief of Surgery for the 10th Medical Group. Dr Henderson was deployed to multiple combat zones earning several commendations for his exemplary service.

Dr. Henderson has extensive experience treating hand, wrist, shoulder and upper extremity injuries, including traumatic reconstruction, microsurgical repair, nerve and tendon injuries along with joint replacement surgery for the shoulder, elbow, wrist and fingers. He holds a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Surgery of the Hand and is an active member of leading orthopedic and hand surgery organizations.

Dr Henderson maintains a strong connection to the military community, professional cowboys and cowgirls across the country and the athletic community. He has served as the team physician for the US Air Force Academy Division 1 sports teams and is maintaining close ties to USAFA’s athletes. Dr. Henderson’s experience with these veterans, cowboys, and athletes has honed his ability to emphasize minimally invasive techniques, joint preservations strategies and early return-to-play strategies that prioritize and balance performance and long term joint health for his patients. All patients will benefit from his vast experience in integrating treatment strategies with military and athletic demands.

Conditions treated:

• Carpal tunnel release
• Trigger finger release, De Quervains Tenosynovits, overuse tendonitis
• Fractures and dislocations of the hand,wrist, elbow and shoulder
• Ulnar nerve decompression
• Tennis elbow treatment
• Rotator cuff repair, Shoulder instability, SLAP and labral tears
• Shoulder/elbow/wrist/finger joint replacement
• Microsurgical tissue repair

Throughout his time at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Dr. Chance Henderson has served as a team physician and continues to deliver compassionate, precise, evidence based care to military personnel, athletes, and community members alike. His life-long dedication to service and medicine ensures that patients receive elite, personalized and collaborative orthopedic care from one of Colorado’s most experienced hand, elbow and shoulder surgeons.

Education:

• BA: Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas
• BS: US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
• MD: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas Texas
• Residency: Orthopedic Surgery Residency, Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium
• Fellowship: Hand and Microvascular Surgery Fellowship, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX

Board Certifications:

• American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons (ABOS) Diplomate
• Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Surgery of the Hand
• Fellow, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons

Memberships:

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• American Society for Surgery of the Hand
• Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons
• Colorado Medical Society
• El Paso County Medical Society