Michael W. Winter, MD

After completing my residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, obtaining a Masters of Science from The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, and completing a one-year fellowship in Adult Reconstructive Surgery/Total Joint Arthroplasty at Harvard's Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston, MA, I returned to Dartmouth-Hitchcock in 2014. I was drawn back by its underlying core values and culture, where a strong emphasis on patient reported outcomes and shared decision making places the patient at the epicenter of their medical care. My interests and clinical practice includes primary knee and hip arthroplasty, with an emphasis on the direct anterior approach, partial knee replacements, uncemented knee replacement, patient-specific technology, revision hip and knee arthroplasty, complex acetabular reconstruction, periprosthetic fracture management, periprosthetic infections, knee fusions, and general orthopaedic trauma. By using proven treatment methods and listening to the individual needs of my patients, I am able to provide compassionate and comprehensive care to each and every patient. My goal is to build long-term, lasting relationships with my patients, and to treat every patient as if they are part of my family. I have published on many research topics including patient-reported outcomes, total joint replacement in the elderly, prosthetic joint infections, cost-effective orthopaedic care and determining value in joint replacement. I have also written the book Get Hip with one of my former patients to help patients prepare for and recovery from hip replacement.

As an athletic trainer, I learned to care for patients on the field, after their surgery, during their rehabilitation and as they returned to their athletic activity. Participating in this progression motivated me to become a physician assistant in orthopaedic surgery. My background has prepared me to help patients with a wide range of orthopaedic conditions, treatments and goals, including preventing arthritis, helping to heal fractures, preparing for surgery and helping someone with pain be able to enjoy a vacation or wedding. It’s gratifying to help patients return to their everyday and athletic activities. It’s very rewarding to see the difference between when a patient first comes to us, limping or in a wheelchair, and their improvement after treatment, walking normally and getting back to work and family life with less pain.