Dr. Ky Kobayashi is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with dual specialization in disorders of the hand and upper extremity, including complex shoulder injuries and degenerative conditions. Based in Colorado Springs, Dr. Kobayashi is widely regarded for his surgical precision, compassionate patient care, and dedication to restoring optimal function to individuals of all activity levels—from elite athletes to everyday workers.
Dr. Kobayashi holds dual Certificates of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Surgery of the Hand and Sports Medicine, a rare distinction that reflects his broad and comprehensive expertise across the entire upper limb. His surgical repertoire includes advanced procedures in microsurgery, arthroscopy, nerve repair, tendon reconstruction, fracture management, and total shoulder arthroplasty. His experience encompasses both acute traumatic injuries and chronic degenerative disorders, such as rotator cuff tears, arthritis, and nerve entrapment syndromes.
A distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Dr. Kobayashi earned his medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine with honors. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Connecticut, followed by a fellowship in hand, wrist, elbow, and microvascular surgery at the Tufts Combined Hand Fellowship in Boston—a program known for its emphasis on complex upper extremity reconstruction from the hand to shoulder.
Dr. Kobayashi is a retired officer in the United States Air Force, where he served with distinction in multiple combat zones. His military career included leadership in combat casualty care, limb salvage, and surgical reconstruction, earning him numerous commendations for exemplary service. He has brought these high-stakes surgical skills to civilian practice, offering patients the same caliber of care trusted by military personnel in some of the world’s most demanding environments.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Kobayashi has contributed significantly to orthopedic education and professional leadership. He has served as Assistant Program Director for the orthopedic residency program at Wilford Hall Medical Center, one of the military’s most prominent training institutions. He is also an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda, MD and Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Colorado Department of Orthopedics where he continues to mentor the next generation of orthopedic surgeons. Dr. Kobayashi has authored peer-reviewed publications, contributed to orthopedic textbook chapters, and delivered national presentations on topics including upper extremity trauma, military surgery, and sports medicine.
Nationally, Dr. Kobayashi is an active contributor to orthopedic innovation and standards of care. He has served on the Board of Specialties for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), Military Relations Committee for the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and is a past leader within the Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons (SOMOS). His insights and leadership have influenced orthopedic care policy, trauma system development, and surgical education across the country.
Dr. Kobayashi maintains a strong connection to the athletic community. He has served as a team physician for the U.S. Air Force Academy Division I sports teams and is currently an orthopedic consultant for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. His sports medicine practice emphasizes minimally invasive techniques, joint preservation strategies, and return-to-play protocols that prioritize both performance and long-term joint health.
Whether treating an elite athlete, injured worker, or retiree seeking to restore quality of life, Dr. Kobayashi delivers evidence-based, individualized care grounded in experience, innovation, and integrity. Patients benefit from his deep understanding of complex anatomy, advanced surgical techniques, and a collaborative approach that places their goals and outcomes at the center of the treatment plan.
Conditions Treated Include:
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If you are experiencing pain, loss of function, or an injury affecting your hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder, trust your care to a nationally recognized expert. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Ky Kobayashi and take the first step toward restoring mobility, strength, and confidence in your upper extremity health.
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Dana serves as a physician assistant for Dr. Kobayashi specializing in upper extremity and sports medicine orthopedic care. Her duties include managing patients in the clinic, fracture care and assisting cases in the operating room. She is proficient in shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand injuries as well as diagnosis and treatment of chronic orthopedic issues. Prior to joining the upper extremity team, Dana graduated from A.T. Still University in Mesa, AZ and subsequently completed a 1-year advanced fellowship in orthopedic surgery at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. As a certified physician assistant since 2010, Dana has extensive experience with patient care in both a primary care and orthopedic setting.
Experience in assisting in surgery, consultations, ER/hospital call, hospital rounds, follow ups, pre-ops, and post-ops. Adept at diagnosing and treating common acute medical problems of primary care including URI, otitis media/externa, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, gastritis, migraines, muscle strains, ligament sprains, and abrasions. Experience understanding the pathophysiology, prevention, diagnosis and management of chronic medical problems such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, asthma, COPD, hyperlipidemia, thyroid disease, and chronic pain syndromes. Experience with the normal process of growth and development in children and demonstrate ability to provide age appropriate anticipatory guidance. Competency with pediatric immunization schedule, Denver development scale, CDC growth charges, and newborn assessments. Deliver patient education regarding nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation and pre-conceptual counseling. Evaluate and manage common clinical problems in women’s health such as abnormal uterine bleeds, STI’s, menorrhagia, and menopause. Experienced with the following procedures: Venipuncture, urinary bladder catheters, pelvic exams, CPR, I&D’s, laceration repair via suture, staples and Dermabond, wound care, and digital nerve block. Strengths: passionate about providing patient oriented care, dedicated to lifelong education, and committed to aiding the medically underserved.
