About Dr. Federer

Dr. Andrew Federer is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in conditions of the hand, wrist, and elbow, and serves as an Assistant Professor of Orthopedics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. His approach to patient care is grounded in a simple belief: our hands are central to how we work, move, create, and connect with the world. Because no two patients use their hands in exactly the same way, he believes the best treatment begins with understanding the individual behind the injury — their goals, lifestyle, and the activities that matter most to them.

Originally from northwest Chicago, Dr. Federer’s path into orthopedic surgery was shaped by both academics and athletics. A four-year varsity athlete at Georgetown University, he earned his undergraduate degree in Biology while developing a lifelong appreciation for performance, movement, discipline, and recovery. He returned home to Chicago for medical school at Rush University Medical College, an institution nationally recognized for orthopedic surgery, where he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), the country’s premier medical honor society. He then completed orthopedic surgery residency at Duke University Medical Center before pursuing advanced fellowship training in hand, upper-extremity, and microvascular surgery at the University of Utah.

During training, Dr. Federer was drawn to hand and upper-extremity surgery because of its unique combination of technical precision, problem-solving, and immediate impact on quality of life. His practice today encompasses the full spectrum of upper-extremity care — from fractures and sports injuries to arthritis, nerve compression syndromes, tendon injuries, and complex reconstructive procedures. He specializes in both surgical and non-surgical treatment options and incorporates contemporary techniques including minimally invasive procedures, arthroscopy, and wide-awake hand surgery (WALANT) when appropriate. Patients often appreciate Dr. Federer’s thoughtful and collaborative approach to care. He believes excellent outcomes come not only from technical expertise, but also from listening carefully, communicating clearly, and tailoring treatment plans to each patient’s priorities. Whether helping a skier return to the mountains, an athlete recover after injury, or someone simply regain comfort with everyday activities, his goal is always the same: restoring function so patients can get back to the life they enjoy.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Federer is actively involved in resident and fellow education, research, and advancing evidence-based care in orthopedic surgery. His academic interests include surgical decision making based on patient preference, AI in healthcare, upper-extremity trauma, elbow ligament reconstruction, minimally invasive nerve surgery, and outcomes research in hand and wrist surgery.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Federer embraces the same active lifestyle he encourages in his patients. He enjoys skiing, hiking, rowing, running, concerts, and playing guitar, and values time spent with his large family and nine nieces and nephews. His personal connection to athletics and outdoor activity continues to shape the way he cares for patients — with an understanding that restoring hand and upper-extremity function is often about far more than healing an injury; it is about helping people return to the work, sports, hobbies, and relationships that define who they are.