John C. Redfern, MD
Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon · Fellowship-Trained in Sports Medicine · Shoulder Specialist
Colorado Springs Top Doctor 2025
Colorado Springs Magazine and the El Paso County Medical Society.
From Engineering to the Operating Room
Before he was a surgeon, Dr. Redfern was an engineer. He earned dual degrees in chemical engineering and biochemistry from Georgia Tech and worked in engineering before deciding medicine was where he wanted to spend his career. That background still shapes how he practices: the shoulder is a mechanical system, and he approaches diagnosis the way an engineer approaches a problem, by understanding exactly why something is failing before deciding how to fix it.
Dr. Redfern has been board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery since 2012 and has cared for patients in Colorado Springs since 2009. He has held practice leadership roles throughout his career, including Managing Partner of his orthopaedic group from 2017 to 2025. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, the Western Orthopaedic Association, the Colorado Medical Society, and the El Paso County Medical Society, and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor medical society.
Board Certified
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, since 2012
Fellowship Trained
Sports Medicine, University of Utah
Colorado Springs Since 2009
Shoulder-focused orthopaedic practice
Top Doctor 2025
Colorado Springs Magazine
Training
- Medical degree: Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA (1999-2003)
- Orthopedic surgery residency: University of Southern California (LAC+USC Medical Center), Los Angeles, CA; Chief Resident, 2007-2008
- Sports medicine fellowship: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (2008-2009)
- Undergraduate: BS, Chemical Engineering (1991-1996) and BS, Biochemistry (1997-1998), Georgia Institute of Technology
Honors and Awards
- Colorado Springs Top Doctor, voted by community peers (2025).
- Frank Jobe Resident Award, USC Orthopaedic Surgery, given by fellow residents.
- Alpha Omega Alpha honor medical society.
- Ty Cobb Scholarship Award, Medical College of Georgia.
Leadership & Hospital Affiliations
- Managing Partner, Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group (2017-2025); Executive Committee member since 2018; Peer Review Committee since 2024.
- Physician Director, Orthopaedic Express Care (2021-2026).
- Board Member, Orthopaedic and Spine Center of Southern Colorado (2023-2025); Medical Advisory Committee member (2016-2022).
- COPIC Orthopaedic Review Committee (2015-2022); Peer Review Trauma Committee (2011-2015) and Peer Review Transfusion Committee (2009-2014), Penrose-St. Francis Hospital.
- Surgical privileges: Penrose-St. Francis Hospital and UCHealth Memorial Hospital (since 2009), and the Orthopaedic and Spine Center of Southern Colorado (since 2015).
Research & Publications
Dr. Redfern’s peer-reviewed research has been published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, Foot & Ankle International, and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, on topics including ligament reconstruction, arthroscopic surgery practice patterns, and joint replacement. Selected publications:
- Kamath GV, Redfern JC, Greis PE, Burks RT. Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2011;39(1):199-217.
- Kamath GV, Redfern JC, Burks RT. Femoral Radiographic Landmarks for Lateral Collateral Ligament Reconstruction and Repair. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2010;38(3):570-574.
- Redfern J, Kamath G, Burks R. Anatomic Confirmation of the Use of Radiographic Landmarks in Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2010;38(2):293-297.
- Redfern J, Burks R. 2009 Survey Results: Surgeon Practice Patterns Regarding Arthroscopic Surgery. Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery. 2009;25(12):1447-1452.
- Redfern JC, Thordarson DB. Achilles Lengthening/Posterior Tibial Tenotomy With Immediate Weightbearing for Patients With Significant Comorbidities. Foot & Ankle International. 2008;29(3):325-328.
- Bedard M, Vince KG, Redfern J, Collen SR. Internal Rotation of the Tibial Component Is Frequent in Stiff Total Knee Arthroplasty. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 2011;469(8):2346-2355.
How He Practices
Dr. Redfern’s philosophy is simple: cost-effective, respectful care, decided with you rather than for you. Many of the patients he sees don’t need surgery, and he’ll tell you so. When surgery is the right answer, his practice covers the full range, from arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and sports medicine procedures through total and reverse shoulder replacement using the InSet® system, designed to preserve bone. That continuum matters: it means the recommendation you get is driven by what your shoulder needs, not by what the practice happens to offer. He believes patients should be treated like close friends or family, with honesty, compassion, and clear communication.
Outside the Clinic
A Georgia native, Dr. Redfern lives in Colorado Springs with his wife, an emergency physician, their kids, and their carb-loving dog, Boss. Like a lot of his patients, he’s here for the mountains: hiking, skiing, biking, and fly fishing are how he spends his time outside the operating room, along with newer pursuits like guitar and golf. Helping active people stay active is personal for him.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Redfern
Call the office or request an appointment online and our team will help you take the next step.