Physicians

Practice Overview

Erik M. Fritz, MD, is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand and upper extremity conditions. He offers both surgical and nonsurgical treatments for the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Dr. Fritz performs joint replacements for the wrist, shoulder, hip, and knee. He also provides comprehensive care for orthopedic trauma, fractures, and general musculoskeletal conditions. His expertise includes treating carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, Dupuytren’s contracture, tennis elbow, rotator cuff tears, and arthritis.

Dr. Fritz attended medical school at the University of Minnesota, followed by a two-year Orthopaedic Research Fellowship at the world-renowned Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado, where his focus was on shoulder surgery outcomes. He returned to the University of Minnesota to complete his Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, followed by his Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Fellowship at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Throughout his training, Dr. Fritz was frequently recognized for his academic and research achievements, work ethic, and dedication to patients. In residency, he received the Resident of the Year award and the Gustilo Resident Research Award. He was one of only four residents nationwide chosen to serve on the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. During his fellowship, Dr. Fritz was recognized by program leadership and staff for his outstanding advocacy of his patients, particularly those from medically underserved communities who face barriers to accessing healthcare services.

“My practice philosophy is to treat patients as I would want myself or my family treated. I am a firm believer in patient autonomy; my job is to first listen to the patient’s concern, then give them all operative and nonoperative treatment options and answer all of their questions. The patient’s role is to then use that information to make a treatment decision that aligns with their unique values and beliefs. My goal is to guide my patients through this shared decision-making process, supporting them in achieving their own health and activity goals.”

Clinical Interest

Elbow Care, including operative and non-operative treatment of elbow fractures, tendonitis, distal biceps and triceps tendon injuries, arthritis, elbow arthroscopy, ligament and tendon repair, elbow joint replacement, radial head replacement, cubital tunnel release, and ulnar nerve transposition

Fracture Care, including operative and non-operative fracture care of clavicle, proximal humerus, humeral shaft, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand, finger, hip, femur, tibial plateau, tibial shaft, ankle, and foot fractures. This frequently involves open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), intramedullary nailing (IMN), or closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) of broken bones

Hip Care, including operative and non-operative treatment of hip arthritis, hip fractures, and hip replacement surgery (total and hemi-hip arthroplasty)

Knee Care, including operative and non-operative treatment of knee arthritis and meniscus injury, knee arthroscopy, meniscus surgery, and knee replacement surgery (total knee arthroplasty)

Pediatric Care,  including operative and non-operative treatment of upper and lower extremity sprains, sports injuries, and fracture care including closed reduction and casting techniques, open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), and closed reduction percutaneous pinning (CRPP)

Shoulder Care, including operative and non-operative treatment of rotator cuff tears, tendinitis, bursitis, subacromial impingement, acromioclavicular (AC) joint arthritis, glenohumeral (shoulder) arthritis, biceps tendonitis, shoulder separations, shoulder instability including Bankart lesions, shoulder arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair, subacromial decompression, distal clavicle excision, biceps tenodesis, Bankart repair, Latarjet procedure, SLAP repair, and shoulder replacement surgery (anatomic and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty)

Hand Care, including operative and non-operative treatment of fracture care, ligament and tendon injuries, Dequervain’s tenosynovitis, Gamekeeper’s Thumb, Skier’s Thumb, Dupuytren’s contracture, arthritis, thumb CMC joint osteoarthritis, trigger finger, ganglion cysts, mucous cysts, masses, nerve injuries, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of hand and finger fractures, closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) of hand and finger fractures, ligament repair, tendon repair and transfer, palmar fasciectomy, Xiaflex injection, PIP or MCP joint arthroplasty, joint fusion, thumb CMC joint arthroplasty, thumb CMC joint denervation, trigger finger or A1 pulley release, revision amputation, and nerve repair

Wrist Care, including operative and non-operative treatment of fractures, ligament and tendon injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of wrist fractures including the distal radius and scaphoid, wrist arthroscopy, scapholunate ligament reconstruction, TFCC repair, ECU tendon repair/subsheath reconstruction, carpal tunnel release, scaphoidectomy and 4-corner fusion, proximal row carpectomy, and total wrist arthroplasty

Ankle Care, including operative and non-operative treatment of ankle sprains, ankle ligament injuries, Achilles tendonitis, Achilles tendon tears, and ankle fracture surgery

Education

Certification
Board Eligible, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Fellowship
Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship, Brown University, Providence, RI

Residency
Orthopedic Surgery Residency, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Medical Degree
Doctor of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Hospital & Surgery Center Affiliations

Crosstown Surgery Center
Eagan Orthopedic Surgery Center

Professional Affiliations

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Resident Member (2018 – Present)
American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Candidate Member (2021 – Present)
Minnesota Orthopaedic Society, Resident Member (2018 – Present)
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Resident Advisory Panel (2021 – 2023)

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