Nicholas Alfonso, MD

Professional Titles

• Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedics

Recognitions

• CU Orthopedics Colonel Allan Bucknell Award for Excellence in Resident Education, CU Orthopedics (2023)
• CU Anschutz Alumni Hero, University of Colorado (2022)
• Excellence in Medical Student Education, Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado (2021)
• OTA Research Grant, Orthopedic Trauma Association (2020)
• Aurthur and Huguette Sirianni Award in Italian, MSU College of Arts and Letters (2007)
• Dean's List, Lyman Briggs College and College of Natural Science (2005)

Research Interests

Publications

• Richman EH, Richman OT, Lee MS, Qubain L, Heylmun L, Awad ME, Alfonso N. Social Media and Digital Footprints in Orthopaedic Trauma: An Analysis of 1465 Orthopaedic Trauma Association Members. J Orthop Trauma. 2024 Jan 1;38(1):e36. PubMed PMID: 37559214
• Krieg B, Dayton M, Alfonso N. Re-revision Extensor Mechanism Reconstruction Because of Nonunion and Tendon Failure After Total Knee Arthroplasty. Orthopedics. 2024 Sep-Oct;47(5):e273-e276. PubMed PMID: 39163604
• Awad ME, Griffin NA, Epperson AB, Alfonso NA, Ou-Yang D. Extended Postoperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis Is Associated with No Clinical Value and Higher Projected Cost Following Adult Spinal Surgery: A Stratified Meta-Analysis and Probability-Based Cost Projections. JBJS Rev. 2024 Sep 1;12(9). PubMed PMID: 39226392
• Sinkler MA, Benedick A, Kavanagh M, Alfonso N, Vallier HA. Complications and Outcomes After Fixation of Lisfranc Injuries at an Urban Level 1 Trauma Center. J Orthop Trauma. 2024 May 1;38(5):e169-e174. PubMed PMID: 38294227
• Awad ME, Chung JY, Griffin N, Stoneback JW, Alfonso NA. Prophylactic Intrawound Antibiotics Significantly Reduce the Risk of Deep Infections in Fracture Fixation: Subgroup Meta-analyses of the Type of Fracture, Antibiotics, and Organism. J Orthop Trauma. 2023 Oct 1;37(10):e400-e409. PubMed PMID: 37296086
• Belton M, Kelley N, Baldini T, Steward J, Alfonso N. Diagnosis of traumatic shoulder arthrotomies using saline load test with intra-articular pressure monitoring. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2022 Oct 21. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 36269430
• Flanagan CD, Joseph NM, Copp J, Romeo N, Alfonso N, Hirschfeld A. Weight-bearing status may influence rates of radiographic healing following reamed, intramedullary fixation of diaphyseal femur fractures. OTA Int. 2021 Dec;4(4):e154. PubMed PMID: 34765904
• Flanagan CD, Joseph NM, Copp J, Romeo N, Alfonso N, Hirschfeld A. Weight-bearing status may influence rates of radiographic healing following reamed, intramedullary fixation of diaphyseal femur fractures. OTA Int. 2021 Dec;4(4):e154. PubMed PMID: 34765904
• Joseph NM, Alfonso N, Hirschfeld AG. Compartment syndrome following use of tissue plasminogen activator for frostbite in the setting of concomitant diaphyseal tibia fracture. OTA Int. 2020 Jun;3(2):e079. PubMed PMID: 33937702
• Alfonso NA, Ryan W, Baldini T, Reiter M, Joyce C, Mauffrey C. Fixation of Transverse Acetabular Fractures With Precontoured Plates Alone Causes Fracture Malreduction: A Biomechanical Assessment. J Orthop Trauma. 2020 Feb;34(2):89-94. PubMed PMID: 31567698
• Joseph NM, Alfonso NA, Hirschfeld AG. Compartment syndrome following use of tissue plasminogen activator for frostbite in the setting of concomitant diaphyseal tibia fracture. OTA International (2020) e079
• Alfonso N, Mauffrey C. Osteoporotic distal femoral fractures: When to fix and how. Surgical and Medical Treatment of Osteoporosis: Principles and Practice. CRC Press. 2020.
• Flanagan C, Alfonso N, Hirschfeld A. Non-weight bearing following intramedullary fixation of femoral diaphyseal fractures slows radiographic healing by 58% and may contribute to non-union risk. Poster Presentation; Orthopaedic Trauma Association annual meeting 2020.
• Ryan W, Alfonso NA, Baldini T, Kumparatana P, Reiter M, Joyce C, Wei C, Zhang Y, Mauffrey C. Precontoured Quadrilateral Surface Acetabular Plate Fixation Demonstrates Increased Stability When Compared With Pelvic Reconstruction Plates: A Biomechanical Study. J Orthop Trauma. 2019 Sep;33(9):e325-e330. PubMed PMID: 31436712
• Alfonso NA, Baldini T, Stahel PF. A New Fastener With Improved Bone-To-Implant Interface Shows Superior Torque Stripping Resistance Compared With the Standard Buttress Screw. J Orthop Trauma. 2019 Apr;33(4):e137-e142. PubMed PMID: 30893221
• Alfonso NA, Ryan W, Baldini T, Reiter M, Joyce C, Mauffrey C. Fixation of Transverse Acetabular Fractures with Pre-contoured Plates Alone Causes Fracture Malreduction: A Biomechanical Assessment. J Orthop Trauma. 2019 Sep 21. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31567698
• Ryan W, Alfonso NA, Baldini T, Kumparatana P, Reiter M, Joyce C, Wei C, Zhang Y, Mauffrey C. Precontoured Quadrilateral Surface Acetabular Plate Fixation Demonstrates Increased Stability When Compared With Pelvic Reconstruction Plates: A Biomechanical Study. J Orthop Trauma. 2019 Sep;33(9):e325-e330. PubMed PMID: 31436712
• Alfonso NA, Baldini T, Stahel PF. A New Fastener With Improved Bone-To-Implant Interface Shows Superior Torque Stripping Resistance Compared With the Standard Buttress Screw. J Orthop Trauma. 2019 Apr;33(4):e137-e142. PubMed PMID: 30893221
• Stahel PF, Alfonso NA, Henderson C, Baldini T. Introducing the "Bone-Screw-Fastener" for improved screw fixation in orthopedic surgery: a revolutionary paradigm shift?. Patient Saf Surg. 2017;11:6. PubMed PMID: 28321265
• Mauffrey C, Alfonso N, Hake M, Heare A. Surgical technique: modified Stoppa approach is effective for fixing acetabular fractures from the front. Orthopedics Today. 2017 April.

Professional Memberships

• Golden Key International Honour Society, Member
• American Medical Association, Member
• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Member
• Orthopedic Trauma Association, Member
• AOTrauma, Member

Practice Locations

• University of Colorado Hospital
• Children's Hospital Colorado

Specialty Information

• Orthopedic Trauma, Board Certification
• Pelvic and Acetabular Fracture Management - AOTrauma, Specialized Training (2019)
• Advanced Principles of Fracture Management - AOTrauma, Specialized Training (2018)
• Foundations of Orthopedic: Trauma Pelvic/Acetabular Dissection Course - AOTrauma, Specialized Training (2017)
• Anterior Approach to the Hip, Specialized Training (2017)
• Florida Keys Musculoskeletal Oncology Course, Specialized Training (2016)
• Advanced Nailing and MIPO Techniques Dissection Course, Specialized Training (2016)
• Comprehensive Fracture Course - Orthopedic Trauma Association, Specialized Training (2015)
• Basic Principles of Fracture Management Course - AOTrauma, Specialized Training (2015)
• Rocky Mountain Resident Arthroplasty Course, Specialized Training (2015)

• Bones, Joints and Muscles
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Fractures
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Bone Infections
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Facial Fractures
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Foot and Ankle Injuries and Disorders
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Foot and Ankle Sports Injuries
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - General Orthopedic Trauma and Fracture Care
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Hip Injuries and Disorders
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Knee Injuries and Disorders
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Leg Injuries and Disorders
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Ligament and Cartilage Injuries
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Lower Leg, Ankle, and, Foot Trauma and Fracture Care
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Shoulder Injuries and Disorders
• Surgery - Leg injuries and disorders
• Surgery
• Surgery - Limb Salvage
• Surgery - Amputation
• Surgery - Free flaps and limb salvage