Sean Baran, MD
Fellowship-Trained & Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
"I will strive to understand your unique concerns and goals and educate you about the problem and potential solutions. "
Dr. Sean Baran is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and joint replacement surgery with a special interest in disorders of the hip and knee. He enjoys treating patients of a variety of ages and takes pride in helping his patients maintain an active lifestyle - whether that is helping an athlete get back to sports following an injury or an arthritic patient get back to everyday life in less pain following joint replacement surgery.
Dr. Baran grew up in Monument, Colorado. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he graduated summa cum laude with a major in biochemistry. While at CU, he was a 3-time National Collegiate Wrestling Association national tournament qualifier.
He earned his medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He was awarded membership to Alpha Omega Alpha, and also received the William Winter Memorial Award for outstanding performance in orthopedics from the University of Colorado Department of Orthopedics.
Dr. Baran completed his internship and residency in Orthopedic Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. While at Mayo Clinic, he served as an administrative chief resident and was honored with the Clinical Competency Award as a graduating resident – an award given to the top resident as selected by the orthopedic staff. Following residency, Dr. Baran completed an additional year of subspecialty training in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. There, he focused in hip arthroscopy, as well as open and arthroscopic treatment of knee and shoulder injuries. He also had the opportunity to care for division I athletes in various sports at the University of Utah, including the Utes football team.
Dr. Baran has contributed to the orthopedic literature with research and publications in medical school, residency, and fellowship. He has presented at multiple local and national meetings and was awarded the “Best Poster – Tumor and Basic Science” at the 2014 American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons for his work on infection prevention.
My Approach to Treating Patients
I enjoy getting to know my patients so that I can better understand each person’s unique concerns and goals. I provide a thorough evaluation and then educate each patient about the diagnosis and potential solutions. I work hard to answer each patient’s questions so that we can work together in pursing care that is focused on satisfaction and outcomes.
Current Practice
2016 - Present
Western Orthopaedics, P.C. Denver, CO
Denver, CO
- Shoulder, Knee, and Hip Sports Medicine and Joint Replacement
- General Orthopedics
2021 - 2024
Colorado Permanente Medical Group
Denver, CO
- As needed orthopedic emergency call coverage
Academic Appointments
2021 - Present
Western Orthopaedics & Rose Medical Center
Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship
- Faculty, ASES-accredited fellowship
2017 - Present
Saint Joseph’s Hospital Medicine Residency
- Resident teaching, musculoskeletal medicine
2015 - 2016
University of Utah, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
- Visiting Instructor in Orthopedic Sports Medicine
Post-graduate Medical Training
2015 – 2016
Fellowship, Orthopedic Sports Medicine
University of Utah, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
Salt Lake City, UT
2010 – 2015
Internship and Residency, Orthopedic Surgery
Mayo Clinic, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
Rochester, MN
Education
2006 – 2010
M.D., University of Colorado School of Medicine
Aurora, CO
Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA)
2002 – 2006
B.A., University of Colorado at Boulder
Boulder, CO
Major: Biochemistry; Minor: Chemistry
Summa Cum Laude
Board Certification
2018
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery – Board Certified
2008 – 2011
USMLE Steps 1, 2 (CK and CS), and 3 - passed
Medical Licensure
- Colorado (Active)
- Kansas (Active)
- DEA# (Current)
Honors/Awards
2015
Outstanding Achievement Award in Clinical Competency
Mayo Clinic, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
2015
Administrative Chief Resident
Mayo Clinic, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
2014
Best Poster, Tumor and Basic Science Division
AAOS Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA
2010
Alpha Omega Alpha
University of Colorado School of Medicine
2010
William Winter Memorial Award for Outstanding Performance in Orthopedics
University of Colorado School of Medicine
2006
Summa Cum Laude and Honors designation in Biochemistry
University of Colorado at Boulder
2002-2010
Dean’s List, all semesters attended
University of Colorado at Boulder
2005
Jakob VanEk Scholar Award
Given for superior academic achievement and service to community
University of Colorado at Boulder
2005 and 2006
Daniel L. Touff Scholar Award
Given for outstanding student in Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Colorado at Boulder
2005
Chris Severy Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research
University of Colorado at Boulde
2002
Outstanding Student Athlete of the Year
Colorado Springs Metro Wrestling Championships
Sports Team Coverage
2015 – 2016
University of Utah Division I Football
Assistant Team Physician
Salt Lake City, UT
2015 – 2016
University of Utah Division I Athletics
Assistant Team Physician
Salt Lake City, UT
2015
Herriman High School Varsity Football
Team Physician
South Jordan, UT
2016
Salt Lake City Area High Schools Pre-Participation Examinations
Salt Lake City, UT
2013 – 2015
Rochester Ice Hawks Junior Hockey
Assistant Team Physician
Rochester, MN
2011 – 2014
Kingsland High School Varsity Football
Team Physician
Spring Valley, MN
2012, 2013
Rochester Area High Schools Annual Sports Pre-Participation Examinations
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Peer-Reviewed Publications
- Baran S, Ramaesh R, Shin AY, Kakar S. Infection Risk Following Contaminated Cases. J Surg Orthop Adv. 2025 Summer; 34(1):26-30.
- Karns MR, Epperson RT, Baran S, Nielsen MB, Taylor NB, Burks RT. Revisiting the anterior Glenoid: An Analysis of the Calcified Cartilage Layer, Capsulolabral Complex, and Glenoid Bone Density. 2018 Aug:34(8):2309-2318.
- Baran S, Belisle JG, Granger EK, Tashjian RZ. Functional and Radiographic Outcomes after Allograft Anatomic Coracoclavicular Ligament Reconstruction. JOT. 2018 Apr; 32(4):201-210.
- Tashjian RZ, Belisle J, Baran S, Granger EK, Nelson RE, Bruks RT, Greis PE. Factors influencing direct clinical costs of outpatient arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2018 Feb;27(2)237-241.
- Wylie JD, Baran S, Granger EK, Tashjian RZ. A Comprehensive Evaluation of Factors Affecting Healing, Range of Motion, Strength, and Patient-Reported Outcomes after Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair. Orthop J Sports Med. 2018 Jan 16;6(1):2325967117750104.
- Krych AJ, Shindle MJ, Baran S, Warren RF. Isolated arthroscopic rotator interval closure for shoulder instability. Arthrosc Tech. 2013 Dec 14; 3(1):e35-8.
- Baran S, Krych AJ, Dahm DL. Arthroscopic repair of the floating posterior-inferior glenohumeral ligament lesion. Arthrosc Tech. 2013 Jun 7;2(3):e209-12.
- Baran S, Price C, Hak DJ. Diagnosing joint infections: synovial fluid differential is more sensitive than white blood cell count. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2014 Dec; 24(8):1469-74.
- Krych AJ, Baran S, Kuzma SA, Smith HM, Johnson RL, Levy BA. Utility of multimodal analgesia with fascia iliaca blockade for acute pain management following hip arthroscopy. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2014 Apr; 22(4):843-7.
- Hak DJ, Baran S, Stahel P. Sacral fractures: current strategies in diagnosis and management. Orthopedics. 2009 Oct; 32(10).
- Hieb AR, Baran S, Goodrich JA, Kugel JF. An 8 nt RNA triggers a rate-limiting shift of RNA polymerase II complexes in elongation. EMBO J. 2006 Jul 12; 25(13)3100-9.
National/Regional Presentations
Poster presentation at the Mid-America Orthopedic Association Annual Meeting
Baran S, Krych AJ, Kuzma SA, Smith HM, Jonson RL, Levy BA. Utility of Fascia Iliacus Blocks for Early Postoperative Pain Management Following Hip Arthroscopy.
San Antonio, TX; April 23-27, 2014
Podium presentation at the Mid-America Orthopedic Association Annual Meeting
Baran S, Ramaesh R, Bringe KE, Shin AY, Kakar S. Does Immediately Following a Dirty Case with a Clean Case Predict Infection?
San Antonio, TX; April 25, 2014
Poster presentation at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
Baran S, Ramaesh R, Bringe KE, Shin AY, Kakar S. Does Immediately Following a Dirty Case with a Clean Case Predict Infection?
New Orleans, LA; March 11-15, 2014
Poster presentation at the Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting
Baran S, Ramaesh R, Bringe KE, Shin AY, Kakar S. Does Immediately Following a Dirty Case with a Clean Case Predict Infection?
New Orleans, LA; March 15-18, 2014
Poster presentation at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
Hak DJ, Baran S, Price C. Diagnosing Joint Infection: Synovial Fluid Differential is More Sensitive than White Cell Count.
New Orleans, LA; March 9-13, 2010
Poster presentation at the University of Colorado, Boulder Annual Research Symposium
Baran S. 5’mRNA Capping in Eukaryotic Transcription Regulation.
Boulder, CO; April 2006.
Professional Courses & Meetings
2019 International Congress Joint Reconstruction Winter Hip and Knee Course
Vail, CO; January 17-20, 2019
2017 Arthroscopy Association of North America Annual Meeting
Denver, CO; May 18-20, 2017
2016 American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting
Colorado Springs, CO; July 6-10, 2016
Stryker Hip Arthroscopy Course
Las Vegas, NV; May 20-21, 2016
Arthrex Sports Medicine Fellowship Forum
Naples, FL; June 9-10, 2016
2014 Mid-America Orthopedic Association Annual Meeting
San Antonio, TX; April 23-27, 2014
2014 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting
New Orleans, LA; March 11-15, 2014
Stryker Hip and Knee Course
Mahwah, NJ; August 8-10, 2013
DePuy Introduction to Hip & Knee Arthroplasty
San Diego, CA; August 11-13, 2011
AO Basic Principles and Techniques of Operative Fracture Management
Chicago, IL; August 4-7, 2011
2010 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting
New Orleans, LA; March 9-13, 2010
Professional Organization Memberships
- Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery (FAAOS)
- Arthroscopy Association of North American, Member
- Alpha Omega Alpha, Member
- Colorado Medical Society
- Denver Medical Society
Other Leadership Positions / Accomplishments
2025 – Present
Medical Executive Committee Member
Rocky Mountain Surgery Center, Englewood, CO
2022 – 2025
Executive Leadership Committee Member
Western Orthopaedics, P.C.
2015
Administrative Chief Resident
Mayo Clinic, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
2006 – 2008
Nutrition and Preventative Health Student Interest Group, Co-President
University of Colorado School of Medicine
2002 – 2006
University of Colorado at Boulder Wrestling Club, Captain
Three-time National Collegiate Wrestling Association National
Tournament qualifier
Outside Intersts / Hobbies
Skiing, cycling, running, hiking, camping, reading, travel
Central Denver
4700 E. Hale Pkway,
Suite 360,
Denver, CO 80220
Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 5:00PM
Englewood
500 E. Hampden Ave,
Suite 400,
Englewood, CO 80113
Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 5:00PM
Littleton
6179 S. Balsam Way,
Suite 230,
Littleton, CO 80123
8:30AM - 5:00PM
The Littleton office is open every Thursday
