Dr Gregory J Hicken
Dr Gregory J Hicken is a board certified, Mayo Clinic fellowship-trained orthopaedic and trauma surgeon and clinical researcher with over 25 years of experience. He has an additional Master’s Degree in Biomechanical Engineering.
Clinical Specialties and Interests
- robotic joint replacement
- sports medicine
- general orthopaedics, and
- performing arts medicine.
Dr. Hicken has a passion for orthopaedic surgery and helping others. His favorite part of his job is meeting and helping patients with their musculoskeletal problems.
Clinical Experience
He has experience with all FDA currently-approved robotic technologies for joint replacement surgeries and treats hip problems with arthroscopic and direct anterior approach techniques.
Minimal Opioid Pain Control
Dr Hicken pioneered a multimodal approach to control pain after surgery that minimizes the need for opioids.
In Southern Utah, many pharmacists report he is one of very few surgeons who has adopted this effective, lower-cost pain control approach.
Patients report that this very effective approach that combines various groups of medications for pain relief and includes local anesthetics, opioids for breakthrough pain, anti-inflammatory medications, acetaminophen and other medications afforded them better pain control than they had with previous musculoskeletal surgeries. They reported better patient experiences and were able to return to their activities of daily living and lifestyle independence sooner and with less post-operative pain than with previous orthopaedic surgery procedures. [Learn more]
Clinical Research
Dr Hicken holds two patents and is involved in clinical research trials.
In his Southern Utah clinics, he has implemented ARIA, a new digital platform and application from Smith + Nephew (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN) designed to connect delivery of patient care with providers throughout the surgical and clinical episode. The platform helps clinicians shorten patients’ recovery time and develops efficiencies to reduce costs. ARIA helps generate specific Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) and patient satisfaction data. This customizable system helps to define measurable, objective, value-based care protocols for patients, employers and insurers that integrate patient engagement pathways between Dr Hicken, his care navigators, physical therapists and other treating clinicians, and the patient to help deliver more cost effective, predictable, and consistent clinical outcomes. [Learn more]
Personal
Dr. Hicken is actively involved in his community. He founded a non-profit organization to help fund children’s athletic teams so that children from all economic situations can be involved in sports.
He is an accomplished musician and singer and has empathy for performing artists and athletes with musculoskeletal problems. In his spare time, he can be found mountain biking, golfing, playing tennis, tele-skiing, kayaking, or spending time with his wife and family and his grandchildren.
He was honorably discharged from the US Air Force with the rank of Major after 16 years of service.
Surgical and Hospital Privileges
Dr Hicken is licensed to practice medicine and surgery in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Texas. He has surgical privileges at:
- St George Surgical Center, St George, Utah
- Mesa View Regional Hospital, Mesquite, Nevada
- Logan Regional Hospital, Logan, Utah
- Cache Valley Hospital, Logan, Utah
- Advanced Surgery Center of Northern Utah, Logan, Utah, and
- Franklin County Medical Center, Preston, Idaho