Physician Profile: Laurel Benson, MD
Laurel Benson, MD
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Pediatric Hand Surgeon
Program Director
Rocky Mountain
Pediatric Orthopedics
A program of Rocky
Mountain Hospital for Children at
Presbyterian/
St. Luke’s Medical Center
303.861.2663 Office
303.861.4741 Fax
Locations:
At Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical
Center
Rocky Mountain
Professional Plaza
2055 High Street
Suite 130
Denver, CO 80205
At Centennial Medical Plaza
14000 E. Arapahoe Rd.
Building C, Suite 300
Centennial, CO 80112
At Red Rocks Medical Center
400 Indiana Street, Suite 350
Golden, CO 80401
At Penrose-St. Francis Medical
Center
6011 E. Woodmen Road
Suite 360
Colorado Springs, CO 80923
“The best part of my job is watching the fear go away,” says Dr. Laurel
Benson. When your child has an orthopedic problem the worst part is
wrestling with the unknown. In the office of Dr. Laurel Benson you and your
child will find information, treatment and the confidence that you are on
The Road to Get Up and Go!!!
Offering consultative services for complex pediatric hand, foot, and hip
problems.
Specialties
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Congenital Hand Deformities
Congenital Hip Dislocation
Development Hip Dysplasia
Clubfoot
Pediatric Upper Extremity problems
Pediatric foot and ankle disorders
Syndactyly
Training
• Residency – Loyola University Medical Center
Maywood, Illinois
• Fellowship – Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery,
The Children’s Hospital/University of California
San Diego, California
• Fellowship - Pediatric Hand Surgery
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children Dallas, Texas
Board Certifications
• American Board of Orthopedic Surgery
Professional Memberships
• Fellow – American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
• Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America
• American Academy of Pediatrics – Orthopedic Division
OrthopedicCare4Kids.com
>>>
www.RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com
Examples of when to consult Laurel Benson, MD
The baby boy was 2 days old when Dr. Laurel Benson, pediatric hand surgeon, was
asked to consult on his rigtht small poorly functioning unstable hypoplastic thumb,
and left small nubbin of thumb. In addition to his hand differences, his left foot was
held in an abnormal position and his heart was abnormally formed requiring
corrective surgery by the cardiovascular surgical team at Rocky Mountain Hospital
for Children.
Pre Op X-ray
In spite of all of these issues he grew at a typical rate. Because he lacked typical
bone structure, his hand function was adaptive but abnormal. In order to improve
his ability to write and perform activities of daily living, he was treated by Dr. Benson
with a pollicization of his left hand. This surgical procedure involves moving and
shortening the index finger into a position where it can serve as a thumb for power
and fine motor skills in grasp.
The child attended hand therapy rehab through Rocky Mountain Hospital for
Children attaining essentially normal function in his left hand. The family was
pleased with his result. Previously his mother had been hesitant to consider
removal of his right thumb hoping that it could be stabilized to serve well on a helper
hand. After witnessing the smooth coordinated function of his left thumb, the parents
began to ponder their choices.
X-ray During Surgery
Post Op X-ray with
Pollicization
The 3B hypoplastic thumb, that was present on his right hand
represents an emotional dilemma for many families. Because
there are some thumb structures present, the decision to
remove this poorly functioning digit pulls at the heart strings
of parents. The long term results of surgical procedures
aimed at stabilizing the 3B thumb are poor and disappointing
with most children ignoring the thumb entirely and
substituting a side-to-side pinch pattern between the index
and middle finger. Hand surgeons usually recommend
removing the hypoplastic 3B thumb and performing a
pollicization to restore opposition to the hand.
After seeing that their son preferred using his
reconstructed left hand in a classic thumb
opposition pattern, the parents requested that the
poorly functioning right thumb be removed and a
pollicization performed.
His surgeries were
concluded before he reached 2 years of age and he
continues to use both hands in a classic fashion. In
the office during his follow-up exams, it was clear
that he was on The Road to Get Up and Go.
www.RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com