Dr. Rainer is an orthopedic surgeon located on the Western Slope, Colorado. He primarily practices in Grand Junction, Colorado, at Western Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and operates at both Community Hospital and Canyon View Surgery Center.
His surgical practice has a special focus on hip and knee replacement and revision surgery, but he has had extensive training in all areas of orthopedics through his residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and fellowship at Dartmouth Health in Lebanon, New Hampshire. While he focuses on clinical orthopedics, he has also been productive in the academic realm, presenting at national conferences across the country and producing publications in prominent orthopedic journals on topics ranging from spinal deformity in hip replacement to joint replacement in children.
Dr. Rainer is a Colorado native, born in Denver and raised in the Southwest corner of the state in a small town called Cortez. He describes feeling humbled but honored to have worked in many areas of healthcare along his way to becoming an orthopedic surgeon, including as a phlebotomist and then surgical technician during his undergraduate years, which has led to a great appreciation for all members of his clinical and surgical teams. In his spare time, Dr. Rainer enjoys spending time with his wife, who is also a Colorado native, and 3 children, who are all excited to be back in Colorado and settling down in Grand Junction. He is an avid mountain biker and fisherman and when he is not at work, he is likely to be exploring the region and all it has to offer outdoors.
Education
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Dartmouth Medical Center
Lebanon, New Hampshire
August 2021 – July 2022
Adult Reconstruction Fellowship
One year fellowship at Dartmouth’s high-volume arthroplasty practice with emphasis on the direct anterior approach for primary total hip arthroplasty, complex hip and knee revision surgery and management of arthroplasty-related trauma.
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Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota
July 2016 – June 2021
Orthopedic Surgery Residency
Comprehensive general orthopedic residency training with emphases in trauma & adult reconstruction/hip & knee arthroplasty
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A. T. Still University – Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Aug. 2012 – May 2016
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Colorado Christian University
2008-2011
Bachelor’s Degree: Biology
Awarded highest school sponsored scholarship for academics
Pre-med curriculum and involvement in the Pre-Health club
Educational Courses/Meetings
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Current Concepts in Joint Replacement
Orlando, FL
December 9 – 11, 2021
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AAHKS annual meeting
Dallas, TX
November 11-14, 2021
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MAOA annual meeting
Amelia Island, FL
September 29 – October 3, 2021
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AAOS annual meeting
San Diego, CA
August 31 – September 3, 2021
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AAHKS annual meeting
Dallas, TX
November 6-8, 2020
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AAHKS annual meeting
Dallas, TX
November 7-10, 2019
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MAOA annual meeting
Destin, FL
April 10-14, 2019.
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Trauma Instructional Course for Orthopaedic Residents
Miami, FL
12/12/19 – 12/14/19
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Advanced Arthroplasty Course for 4th & 5th Year Residents
Palm Beach Gardens
10/4/19 – 10/6/19
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AO Basic Orthopedic Trauma Course
Madison, WI
5/30/18 – 6/3/18
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Hip & Knee arthroplasty for the Junior Resident
Nashville, TN
9/7/17 – 9/9/17
Awards
- Merck Manual Medical Student Award, May 2016
- Dean’s List at Colorado Christian University - 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11
- Who’s Who Among Students In American Universities & Colleges Honoree, Feb. 2011
- Trustee’s scholarship at Colorado Christian University
- Mancos Masonic Lodge Scholarship
- President’s Scholarship at Colorado School of Mines
Honors
- Inducted to Gold Humanism Honor Society, January 2015
- Inducted to Sigma Sigma Phi (Osteopathic AOA Equivalent), Honor Society, April 2013
- Inducted to Omicron Delta Kappa National Honors Society, May of 2010
Peer Reviewed Articles
- Rainer WG, Kolz JM, Wyles CC, Houdek MT, Perry KI, Lewallen DG. Lymphedema Is a Significant Risk Factor for Failure After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2021 Oct 12.
- Rainer WG, Shirley MB, Trousdale RT, Shaughnessy WJ. The Open Triradiate Cartilage: How Young Is Too Young for Total Hip Arthroplasty? J Pediatr Orthop. 2021 Oct 1;41(9):e793-e799.
- Rainer WG, Abdel MP, Freedman BA, Berry DJ, Taunton MJ. Pelvic Tilt and the Pubic Symphysis to Sacrococcygeal Junction Distance: Risk Factors for Hip Dislocation Observed on Anteroposterior Pelvis Radiographs. J Arthroplasty. 2021 Jul;36(7S):S367-S373. Epub 2021 Mar 9.
- Johnson JD, Rainer WG, Rose PS, Houdek MT. Utility of Bone Scintigraphy and PET-CT in the Surgical Staging of Skeletal Chondrosarcoma. Anticancer Res. 2020 Oct;40(10):5735-5738.
- Kolz JM, Rainer WG, Wyles CC, Houdek MT, Perry KI, Lewallen DG. Lymphedema: A Significant Risk Factor for Infection and Implant Failure After Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2020 Dec 1;28(23):996-1002.
- Hart A, Rainer WG , Taunton MJ, Mabry TM, Berry DJ, Abdel MP. Smoking Cessation Before and After Total Joint Arthroplasty – An Uphill Battle. J Arthroplasty. 2019, July. Epub Feb 5, 2019.
- Hart A, Rainer WG , Taunton MJ, Mabry TM, Berry DJ, Abdel MP. Cotinine Testing Improves Smoking Cessation Before Total Joint Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2018, December 3. Epub 2018 Dec 03.
- Rainer WG, Hake ME, Mauffrey C, Hak DJ. Intramedullary Cortical Fragments: Recognition and Techniques to Permit Safe Nailing. Injury. 2015 Dec; 46(12):2502-6. Epub 2015 Aug 19.
Academic Presentations
- Rainer WG, Abdel MP, Freedman BA, Berry DJ, Taunton MJ. Pelvic Tilt & the Pubic Symphysis-Sacrococcygeal Junction Distance: Risk Factors for Hip Dislocation. Podium presentation at MAOA annual meeting – Amelia Island, FL. September 29 – October 3, 2021.
- Rainer WG, Shirley MB, Trousdale RT, Shaughnessy WJ. The Open Triradiate Cartilage: How Young Is Too Young for Total Hip Arthroplasty? Poster presented at MAOA annual meeting – Amelia Island, FL. September 29 – October 3, 2021.
- Rainer WG, Kolz JM, Wyles CC, Houdek MT, Perry KI, Lewallen DG. Lymphedema Is a Significant Risk Factor for Failure After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty. Poster presented at MAOA annual meeting – Amelia Island, FL. September 29 – October 3, 2021.
- Rainer WG, Abdel MP, Freedman BA, Berry DJ, Taunton MJ. Pelvic Tilt and the Pubic Symphysis to Sacrococcygeal Junction Distance: Risk Factors for Hip Dislocation Observed on Anteroposterior Pelvis Radiographs. Poster presented at AAOS annual meeting. San Diego, CA. August 31 – September 3, 2021.
- Rainer WG, Abdel MP, Freedman BA, Berry DJ, Taunton MJ. Pelvic Tilt & the Pubic Symphysis-Sacrococcygeal Junction Distance: Risk Factors for Hip Dislocation. Podium presentation at AAHKS annual meeting. Dallas, TX. November 6-8, 2020.
- Rainer WG, Siljander MP, Taunton MJ. Accelerometer Based Navigation in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Comparative Study. Poster presented at AAHKS annual meeting. Dallas, TX. November 6-8, 2020.
- Johnson JD, Rainer WG, Sim FH, Rose PS, Houdek MT. Bone Scintigraphy in the Surgical Staging of Skeletal Chondrosarcoma. Podium presentation at Canadian Orthopedic Association.. Halifax, Nova Scotia (Virtual). June 19-21, 2020.
- Rainer WG, Kolz JM, Wyles CC, Houdek MT, Perry KI, Lewallen DG. Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients with Lymphedema: A Matched Cohort Study. Poster presented at AAHKS annual meeting - Dallas, TX, November 7-10, 2019.
- Kolz JM, Rainer WG, Wyles CC, Houdek MT, Perry KI, Lewallen DG. Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients with Lymphedema: A Matched Cohort Study. Podium presentation at AAOS annual meeting. March 12-16, Las Vegas, NV.
- Kolz JM, Rainer WG, Wyles CC, Houdek MT, Perry KI, Lewallen DG. Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients with Lymphedema: A Matched Cohort Study. Podium presentation at MAOA annual meeting. Destin, FL, April 10-14, 2019.
- Hart A, Rainer WG , Taunton MJ, Mabry TM, Berry DJ, Abdel MP. Cotinine Testing Improves Smoking Cessation Before Total Joint Arthroplasty. Podium presentation at AAHKS annual meeting. Dallas, TX. November 1-4, 2018.
- AT Cacace, BS, WG Rainer III, WG Rainer Jr, MD, AR Cudkowicz, MD. Quality of Colonoscopy in a Rural Community: Analysis of a Small Surgical Center in Rural Colorado. Presented at Southwest Surgical Congress. Oahu, HI. April, 2011.
Ongoing Research
- Femoral Neck Fractures in Patients </= 60 Years Old Not Treated With Arthroplasty. Multicenter Study including Mayo Clinic, Rochester. Co-investigator: William Rainer, DO. Supervising Consultant: Brandon Yuan, MD. Primary Investigator: Cory Collinge, MD at Vanderbilt.
- Investigating Surgical Outcomes for ACDF and Lumbar Spinal Fusion. Primary investigator: Justin Hohl, MD. Co-investigator: Will Rainer, BS. Institution: Intermountain Spine Institute, Salt Lake City, UT. April, 2015 – Present
Community Service
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Ronald McDonald House
Rochester, MN
Volunteer activity
Meal donation, preparation and service for the residents of Ronald McDonald House
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Southland and Millville High Schools,
Southeast MN
High School football team physician coverage
Provided physician coverage for high school football. Performed on the field assessments and worked together with athletic trainers to provide care for injured youth athletes.
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Sigma Sigma Phi
Honors & Service Fraternity
Kirksville, MO
SSP Member
Monthly service project examples: Helping the local scout troop earn their health badges; Doctor Bag event for elementary students; Organizing mock anatomy practicals for underclassmen; Board preparation for second year students
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Hope’s Kitchen
Kirksville, MO
Hope’s Soup Kitchen Volunteer
Out of Mary Immaculate Catholic Church we served more than 200 meals every third and fourth Saturday afternoon, and also delivered meals to homebound and disabled local residents
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Fatboys Club
Denver, Colorado
Fatboys Volunteer
The FatBoys ministry met weekly to bike or walk the streets of downtown Denver ministering to the homeless by building relationships and providing food, clothing, and other goods
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Josiah Foundation Via Southwest Memorial Hospital & Southwest Colorado Surgery Center
Josiah Foundation Volunteer
Procured, sterilized and re-organized and sealed unused, discarded, or expired, but functional surgical supplies to be sent to Guatemala with a Josiah Foundation group.
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Project Cure Warehouse
Centennial, CO
Project Cure Volunteer
Project cure works to secure expired and/or out dated medical equipment and supplies and organize the dispersion of them to countries that would not normally be able to acquire them.
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Multiple Cities and Villages in Guatemala
Guatemala Mission
Activities included: providing groceries to locals; building and donating a home; distributing and fitting 60 wheelchairs; building, donating, and distributing beds to families without one; assisting in a medical clinic.
Leadership
- Mayo Quality Academy
- Bronze Fellow
- Student Osteopathic Surgical Association
- Vice President
- 1st Year Representative
Certifications
- Mako Robotic Partial Knee Replacement Certification
- Mako Robotic Total Knee Replacement Certification
- BLS - AHA Certification
- ACLS – AHA Certification
- Phlebotomy Certification
Professional Memberships
- American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons - Resident and Fellowship member
- American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons - Arthroplasty Surgeon in Training
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Western Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
2373 G Road,
Suite 100
Grand Junction, CO 81505