Office Locations:
HAND SURGERY ASSOCIATES, P.C.
Swedish Medical Center
601 E. Hampden Avenue
Suite 500
Englewood, CO 80113
303-744-7078
Youngfield Park 3000
3000 Youngfield St, Suite 360
Wheat Ridge, CO 80215
Lincoln Medical Center
11960 Lioness Way, Suite 260
Parker, CO 80134
I-225 Business Park
1500 South Potomac Street, Suite 180
Aurora, CO 80012
Hospital Affiliations:
Swedish Medical Center
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Englewood, Colorado
Porter Adventist Hospital
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Denver, Colorado
Parker Adventist Hospital
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Parker, Colorado
Littleton Adventist Hospital
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Littleton, Colorado
Sky Ridge Medical Center
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Lone Tree, Colorado
Aurora Hospitals-North and South Campus
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Aurora, Colorado
Education:
Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center/Indiana University
Fellow, Hand/Upper Extremity Surgery
July 2011 – July 2012
Indianapolis, IN
Mayo Clinic
Resident Physician
Department of Orthopedic Surgery
July 2006 – July 2011
Rochester, MN
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine
August 2002 – May 2006
Doctor of Medicine, M.D.
Chicago, IL
Augustana College
August 1998 – May 2002
Bachelor of Arts, B.A.
Major: Biology, Pre-medicine
Minor: Chemistry, Biochemistry
Rock Island, IL
Honors/Activities:
2012-Current Hand Surgery Associates, Hand/Upper Extremity Surgery
-American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery Board Certification (2014)
-State of Colorado Workers Compensation Level II Certification (2015)
-Co-Chairman; Doctors Demystify Conference, Englewood,
CO (2016, 2017, 2018)
2006-2011 Mayo Clinic, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
-ABOS Board Examination Part I: PASSED – 90th percentile nationally
-Team Physician 2009-2010, Byron High School Football
-Team Physician 2008-2009, Mayo High School Football
-Team Physician 2007-2008, Grand Meadows High School Football
-Assistant Team Physician 2006-2011, Rochester Ice Hawks, MN Junior Hockey
-Mayo Fellows Association 2006-2011, Orthopedic Department Representative
2002-2006 University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine
-Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society Inductee
-NCAA Student-Athlete Post-graduate Scholarship
-Illinois Hospital Research and Educational Foundation Scholarship
-Graduation Superlative: Voted “Most likely to play a doctor on TV”
1998-2002 Augustana College
-Graduated with distinction: Summa cum Laude
-Phi Beta Kappa (National Honors Society, 2002)
-Omicron Delta Kappa (National Leadership Society, 2002)
-Augustana Presidential Scholar (1998-2002)
-Four-year NCAA Varsity Letterman in Cross-country and Track/Field
(Team Captain, Two-time Team MVP, 2001 NCAA Cross-country
Championships Individual Qualifier)
-Four-time NCAA Academic All-American (Fall/Spring 2000-2001)
Medical Societies:
2012 – present Rocky Mountain Hand Society
2012 – present Colorado Orthopedic Society
2012 – present Indiana Hand Surgery Society
2011 – present Mayo Hand Club
2010 – present American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH)
-Lending a Hand Committee Member (2013-2015)
2006 – present American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
Publications/Projects in Progress:
Kovachevich R, Giuffre JL, Shin AY, Bishop AT. Immediate Great Toe Transfer for Thumb Reconstruction After Tumor Resection: Report of 3 Cases. Ann Plast Surg 2016 Mar; 76(3): 280-4.
Steinmann SP, Kovachevich R. Arthroscopic Ulnar Nerve Release. The Elbow and Wrist: AANA Advanced Arthroscopic Surgical Techniques. 2016.
Krych AJ, Kuzma SA, Kovachevich R, Hudgens JL, Stuart MJ, Levy VA. Modest Mid-term Outcomes After Isolated Arthroscopic Debridement of Acetabular Labral Tears. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2014 Apr;22(4): 763-7.
Kovachevich R, Merrell GA. Dislocation of the Thumb and Fingers. Surgery of the Upper Extremity: From the shoulders to the fingertips. 2013.
Kovachevich R, Hastings H. Elbow Stiffness: Pathogenesis, Evaluation, and Open Treatment. OKU Shoulder and Elbow 4. 2013.
Kovachevich R, Kaplan FT. Animal Injection Injuries. J Hand Surg [Am] 2012 Nov; 37(11): 2408-11.
Kovachevich R, Steinmann SP. Arthroscopic Ulnar Nerve Decompression in the Setting of Elbow Osteoarthritis. J Hand Surg [Am] 2012 Apr; 37(4): 663-668.
Giuffre JL, Kovachevich R, Shin AY, Bishop AT. Recurrent Calcifying Aponeurotic Fibroma of the Thumb: Case Report. J Hand Surg [Am] 2011 Jan; 36(1): 110-5.
Kovachevich R, Kircher MF, Wood CM, Spinner RJ, Bishop AT, Shin AY. Complications of Intercostal Nerve Transfer for Brachial Plexus Reconstruction. J Hand Surg [Am] 2010 Dec; 35(12): 1995-2000.
Kovachevich R, Elhassan BT. Arthroscopic and Open Repair of the TFCC. Hand Clinics: Disorders of the Distal Radioulnar Joint and Their Surgical Management 2010 Nov; 26(4): 485-494.
Kovachevich R, Levy BA, Shah JP, Arens AM, Dahm DL, Stuart MJ. Operative Management of the Medial Collateral Ligament in the Multi-ligament Injured Knee: An Evidence-Based Systematic Review. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2009 Jul;17(7): 823-9.
Bach HG, Steffin B, Chhadia AM, Kovachevich R, Gonzalez MH. Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Hand Infections in an Urban Setting. J Hand Surg [Am] 2007 Mar; 32(3): 380-3.
Kovachevich R, Giuffre JL, Bishop AT, Shin AY. Immediate great toe transfer for thumb reconstruction following tumor resection: Report of 3 Cases. Manuscript submitted (Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery).
Clarke HD, Casey W, Spangehl MJ, Rees H, Kovachevich R, Hanssen AD. Prophylactic flap reconstruction of the knee prior to total knee arthroplasty in high risk patients. Manuscript in process of submission (Journal of Arthroplasty).
Kovachevich R, Hastings H. The Effect of Posterior Elbow Surgical Approaches on Triceps Vascularity. Manuscript in progress.
Kovachevich R, O’Driscoll SW. Osteochondritis Dissecans Involving the Trochlea of the Elbow. Manuscript in progress.
Grants:
The Effect of Posterior Elbow Surgical Approaches on Triceps Vascularity: Anatomical study with implications for TEA.
Biomet Research Foundation
July 2012
Amount: $9,500 (Co-Investigator with Dr. Hill Hastings, II)
Lectures/Presentations:
Elbow Arthroscopy: Doctors Demystify the Hand Conference, Englewood, CO, April 28, 2018.
Biceps/Triceps Ruptures: Doctors Demystify the Hand Conference, Englewood, CO, April 28, 2018.
Geminus Distal Radius Plating: Biomechanics, Techniques, and Tips for Distal Radius Fixation. University of Missouri- Kansas City Resident Conference, Kansas City, MO, September 21, 2017.
Rotator Cuff Injuries and Tissue Quality: Affects on Surgery and Therapy; Denver Hand Therapy Interest Group Conference, Englewood, CO, March 7, 2017.
History of Wound Care: Doctors Demystify the Hand Conference, Englewood, CO, April 23, 2016.
Normal Wound Healing: Doctors Demystify the Hand Conference, Englewood, CO, April 23, 2016.
Align Radial Head and IJS Internal Elbow Fixator: Biomechanics, Techniques, and Tips for Fixation. Sacramento Hand Surgery Club Conference, Sacramento, CA, March 28, 2016.
Geminus Distal Radius Plating: Biomechanics, Techniques, and Tips for Distal Radius Fixation. Tulane University Resident Conference, New Orleans, LA, October 15, 2015.
Ligament tears, Subluxations, Dislocations, oh my: Doctors Demystify the Hand Conference, Englewood, CO, April 27, 2015.
The Wrist: Ulnar Impaction Syndrome: Lecture Presentation; Doctors Demystify the Hand Conference, Englewood, CO, May 17, 2014.
Ganglion Cysts and Metacarpal Bossing: Lecture Presentation; Doctors Demystify the Hand Conference, Englewood, CO, May 17, 2014.
Changing Trends in Clavicle Fracture Care. Lecture Presentation; Swedish Medical Center CME Conference, Englewood, CO, January 13, 2014.
Changing Trends in Clavicle Fracture Care. Lecture Presentation; 20 Mile Urgent Care, Parker, CO, January 6, 2014.
Hand and Wrist Injuries for Attorneys. Lecture Presentation; National Business Institute Anatomy and Physiology Conference, Denver, CO, September 27, 2013.
Carpal Tunnel and Cubital Tunnel Syndromes. Lecture Presentation; Swedish Medical Center CME Conference, Englewood, CO, August 13, 2013.
Blood Vessels and Blood Vessel Surgery: Lecture Presentation; Doctors Demystify the Hand Conference, Englewood, CO, May 18, 2013.
The Effect of Posterior Elbow Surgical Approaches on Triceps Vascularity: Anatomical study with implications for TEA. Podium Presentation; 28th Annual Tri-State Hand Conference, Louisville, KY, May 11, 2012.
Perioperative Factors Affecting Intercostal Nerve Transfer for Brachial Plexus Reconstruction. Podium Presentation; Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Coventry Graduation Symposium, Rochester, MN, June 3, 2011.
Osteochondritis Dissecans Involving the Trochlea of the Elbow: Can it be treated like the Capitellum?. Podium Presentation, Session #11; 2011 Mid-America Orthopedic Association Annual Meeting, Tucson, AZ, April 9, 2011.
Accepted: Complications of Intercostal Nerve Transfer for Brachial Plexus Reconstruction. Podium Presentation #SS 5-3 (Bishop AT); 2011 Combined Meeting of the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand (JSSH)/American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), Maui, Hawaii, March 28, 2011 (Meeting cancelled secondary to Japan Earthquake March 2011).
Prophylactic Flap Reconstruction of the Knee Prior to Total Knee Arthroplasty in High-risk Patients. Podium Presentation #113 (Clarke HC); 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, San Diego, CA, February 19, 2011.
Current Concepts in Reconstruction for Lateral Ankle Instability. Presentation; Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Foot/Ankle Conference, Rochester, MN, December 7, 2010.
Immediate Great Toe Transfer for Thumb Reconstruction following Tumor Resection. Podium Presentation (Giuffre JL); 11th Triennial Congress of the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand, Seoul, Korea, November 1, 2010.
Complications of Intercostal Nerve Transfer for Brachial Plexus Reconstruction. Podium presentation, Session 5; American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, October 9, 2010.
Prophylactic Flap Reconstruction of the Knee Prior to Total Knee Arthroplasty in High-risk Patients. Podium Presentation (Clarke HC); Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Surgery 100th Anniversary Alumni Meeting, Rochester, MN; September 17-18, 2010.
Principles and Concepts of Bone Transport. Presentation; Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Trauma Conference, Rochester, MN, May 20, 2010.
Thumb Hypoplasia. Presentation; Nemours Children’s Clinic Grand Rounds, Jacksonville, FL, March 3, 2010.
Perioperative Factors Affecting Intercostal Nerve Transfer for Brachial Plexus Reconstruction. Podium presentation, Session A2; American Association for Hand Surgery (AAHS) Annual Meeting, Boca Raton, FL, January 8, 2010.
Acute Triangular Fibrocartilage (TFCC) Tears. Presentation; Mayo Clinic Hand Surgery Conference, Rochester, MN, December 18, 2009.
Arthroscopic Decompression of the Ulnar Nerve at the Elbow. Poster presentation #HS-5; Combined American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) and ASHT Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, September 4, 2009.
Perioperative Complications of Intercostal Nerve Transfer for Brachial Plexus Reconstruction. Podium Presentation (Bishop AT); Brachial Plexus Injury Symposium, 5th Congress of the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, Okinawa, Japan, June 25, 2009.
Cervical Spine Injuries in the Athlete. Presentation; Mayo Clinic Spine Surgery Conference, Rochester, MN, April 21, 2009.
Dual Plating Technique for the Treatment of Complex Midshaft Fractures and Nonunions of the Clavicle. Podium presentation; Minnesota Orthopaedic Society Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, May 7, 2008.
The Hypoplastic Thumb. Presentation; Mayo Clinic Hand Surgery Conference, Rochester, MN, November 16, 2007.
Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Hand Infections in an Urban Setting. Presentation #464 (Bach HG); 2006 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Chicago, IL, March 24, 2006.
Courses/Meetings/CME:
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) Annual Meeting, Boston, MA; September 13-15, 2018.
- Skeletal Dynamics Surgeon Trauma Summit, Vail, CO; July 14, 2018
- Doctors Demystify the Hand Meeting, Englewood, CO; April 28, 2018.
- ASSH Self-Assessment Examination 2018
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA; September 7-9, 2017.
- Doctors Demystify the Hand Meeting, Englewood, CO; May 13, 2017.
- ASSH Self-Assessment Examination 2017
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery (AAOS) Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA; March 16-18, 2017.
- ASSH Self-Assessment Examination 2016
- Doctors Demystify the Hand Meeting, Englewood, CO; April 23, 2016.
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA; September 10-12, 2015.
- ASSH Self-Assessment Examination 2015
- Doctors Demystify the Hand Meeting, Englewood, CO; April 27, 2015.
- ASSH Self-Assessment Examination 2014
- Doctors Demystify the Hand Meeting, Englewood, CO; May 17, 2014.
- Osteomed Cadaver Hand Fracture Fixation Course, Vail, CO; January 25, 2014.
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA; October 3-6, 2013.
- ASSH Self-Assessment Examination 2013
- Doctors Demystify the Hand Meeting, Englewood, CO; May 18, 2013.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery (AAOS) Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL; March 21-23, 2013.
- Trimed Hand and Wrist Fracture Course, Las Vegas, NV; February 22, 2013.
- AO Hand and Wrist Fracture Management Workshop, Irvine, CA; November 17, 2012.
- ASSH Self-Assessment Examination 2012
- 28th Annual Tri-State Hand Conference, Louisville, KY; May 11, 2012.
- Hand Care Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN; April 27-29, 2012.
- DJO Total/Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Course, Indianapolis, IN; March 1, 2012.
- Indiana University Advanced Microsurgical Course, Indianapolis, IN; February 14-15, 2012.
- Indiana University Microsurgical Course, Indianapolis, IN; October 3-7, 2011.
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV; September 8-10, 2011.
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) Adrian E. Flatt Residents/Fellows Conference, Las Vegas, NV; September 7, 2011.
- Maine Orthopedic Board Review Course, Waterville, ME; June 19-30, 2011.
- Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Department Coventry Graduation Symposium, Rochester, MN; June 4, 2011.
- Smith-Nephew Orthopedics Mobilab Trauma Course, Minneapolis, MN; May 25, 2011.
- Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Department Spring Symposium, Rochester, MN; May 7, 2011.
- Mayo Clinic Advanced Techniques in Shoulder Arthroscopy, Arthroplasty and Fractures Course, Rochester, MN; April 29-30, 2011.
- Mid-America Orthopedic Society Annual Meeting, Tucson, AZ; April 6-9, 2011.
- Biomet Orthopedics Cadaver Elbow and Shoulder Arthroplasty Course, Warsaw, IN; March 26, 2011.
- AO Spine Surgery Principles and Treatment of Spinal Disorders Course, Las Vegas, NV; January 21-22, 2011.
- Current Concepts Course in Joint Arthroplasty, Orlando, FL; December 8-10, 2010.
- Stryker Orthopedics Advanced Nailing/MIPO Trauma Course, Phoenix, AZ; November 19-20, 2010.
- Stryker Orthopedics Hand/Upper Extremity Dissection Course, Denver, CO; October 22-23, 2010.
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) Annual Meeting, Boston, MA; October 7-9, 2010.
- Biomet Orthopedics Shoulder Arthroscopy Course, Minneapolis, MN; September 25, 2010.
- Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Surgery 100th Anniversary Alumni Meeting, Rochester, MN; September 17-18, 2010.
- Zimmer Anatomical Total/Inverse Shoulder Arthroplasty Course, Minneapolis, MN; April 1, 2010.
- American Association for Hand Surgery (AAHS) Annual Meeting, Boca Raton, FL; January 8, 2010.
- DePuy Orthopedics Advanced Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Course, 4th/5th Year Resident Course, Denver, CO; September 24-25, 2009.
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA; September 3-5, 2009.
- Biomet Orthopedics Shoulder Arthroplasty Course, Minneapolis, MN; May 30, 2009.
- Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Department Spring Symposium, Rochester, MN; May 9, 2009.
- Biomet Orthopedics Signature/Vanguard Joint Arthroplasty Course, Warsaw, IN; March 14, 2009.
- Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Oncology/Pathology Review Course, Dr. F.J. Frassica, Rochester, MN; October 4, 2008.
- Minnesota Orthopedic Society Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN; May 7, 2008.
- Zimmer Orthopedics Joint Arthroplasty Boot Camp, Minneapolis, MN; November 30-December 1, 2007.
- DePuy Orthopedics Basics in Arthroplasty Course, 2nd/3rd Year Resident Course, San Diego, CA; October 25-27, 2007.
- Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Oncology/Pathology Review Course, Dr. F.J. Frassica, Rochester, MN; October 20, 2007.
- AO/ASIF Basic Principles and Techniques of Operative Fracture Management Course, Montreal, QC; August 16-18, 2007.
- Mayo Clinic Disorders of the Wrist Course, Rochester, MN; May 17-20, 2007.
- Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Department Spring Symposium, Rochester, MN; May 12, 2007.
- Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Oncology/Pathology Review Course, Dr. F.J. Frassica, Rochester, MN; September 23, 2006.
Media Recognition:
Mayo Clinic- Medical Edge: Runner’s Compartment Syndrome (February 2011).
-Television News Clip; aired on over 100 stations within the United States and Canada.