Karl M. Larsen, MD
Dr. Karl Larsen is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon, board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS). He is one of an elite group of surgeons who have achieved the esteemed Certificate of Added Qualification in Surgery of the Hand. Dr. Larsen specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hand and upper extremity injuries. He commonly treats patients for athletic injury and overuse conditions of the wrist, disorders of the elbow, shoulder fractures, and work-related injuries as well as upper extremity trauma reconstruction and complex hand surgery. Dr. Larsen has been honored as one of Colorado Springs Style magazine’s Top Docs, a listing of Colorado Springs physicians recommended by their colleagues, for the past 8 years.
Dr. Larsen earned his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, followed by a hand and microvascular surgery fellowship at the Indiana Hand Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Dr. Larsen served in the United States Air Force and United States Air Force Reserve from 1989 until his retirement at the rank of Colonel in 2015. He served three years as a flight surgeon for the 352d Special Operations Group at RAF Mildenhall, England, before returning stateside to complete his orthopaedic training. After completing his orthopaedic and hand surgery training he was stationed at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs from 2002 until 2008. At USAFA Dr. Larsen performed both general orthopaedic and hand surgery. He also held numerous leadership positions including Flight Commander for Inpatient and Emergency Services, Deputy Squadron Commander for Medical Operations, Deputy Chief of Medical Staff, and Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery. In 2004 Dr. Larsen participated in a MIA-POW recovery mission in the mountains of Tibet. In 2007 he served as a Mobile Forward Surgery Team Commander in Kirkuk, Northern Iraq. Dr. Larsen was named Air Force Special Operations Command Flight Surgeon of the Year in 1995 and United States Air Force Academy Clinical Surgeon of the Year in 2005. In addition, he received many decorations throughout his military career including Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and NATO Medal.
Education:
BS: Biological Sciences and Modern Chinese, University of California at Santa Barbara
MD: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD
Residency: Orthopedic Surgery, SAUSHEC/Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas
Fellowship: Hand and Microvascular Surgery, Indiana Hand Center, Indianapolis, IN
Board Certification:
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) Diplomate
- Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Surgery of the Hand
- Colorado Division of Workers Compensation Level II Certified
Team Physician:
- 2010 – Present: Orthopaedic Consultant, United States Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs; Part of Team USA Olympic and Paralympic National Medicine Network
- 2012 – Present: Team Physician, Club Lewy Field Hockey Club, Monument, Colorado
Memberships:
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Fellow
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Fellow
- Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Indianapolis Hand Society
- Colorado Medical Society
- El Paso County Medical Society
Stephanie Noble, PA-C
Physician Assistant
I was excited about medicine starting at a very early age, but as I grew older, I developed a variety of interests and hobbies. I volunteered at the hospital, played sports, and took art classes, just to name a few. I graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. I worked for a nonprofit in Germany that did outreach throughout Europe. We taught English, computer skills, medical outreach and construction projects, often in Eastern Europe. I lived and worked there for over 2 years and then decided to formally pursue medicine.
After returning to the USA, I became passionate about medicine again, but more specifically orthopedics. I graduated from the University of Colorado with a Masters: Physician Assistant and Child Health Associate. Their program added a pediatric focus with extra training and rotations.
I graduated in 2012 and started working for the Colorado Center of Orthopedic Excellence. I initially worked with 3 different fellowship trained orthopedists specializing in foot and ankle, shoulder and knee, and hand and elbow. In 2015, I focused in on hand and elbow with Dr. Karl Larsen, MD. He is hand fellowship trained in upper extremity orthopedic treatment.
Under his training and my personal study, I have learned to care for complex hand issues including arthritis, tendon and nerve injuries, complex hand trauma, trigger finger, peripheral nerve compression, bone and soft tissue tumors, inflammatory issues, infections, and fractures.
I’m passionate about caring for people of all ages and from all backgrounds. I have traveled internationally for medical mission trips, caring for children and adults in impoverished countries.
In my own time, I still enjoy playing sports, crochet, sewing/quilting, painting, baking, hiking, and hanging out with friends and family. I also sponsor Air Force cadets.
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