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Home > MN Providers > Pediatric Orthopedists (Orthopedic Surgeons)

Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD

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Specializes in: Pediatric Orthopedics/Orthopedic Surgery

Pontifical Xavierian University Faculty of Medicine (1996)

Professional interests include: hip dysplasia, hip arthritis, knee pain, and more.

200 1st Street Sw
Rochester, MN 55905

(507) 284-2511

Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD is a pediatric orthopedist in Rochester, MN specializing in pediatric orthopedics/orthopedic surgery. He graduated from Pontifical Xavierian University Faculty of Medicine in 1996 and has 30 years of experience. Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD is affiliated with Mayo Clinic.

Office Locations

200 1st Street Sw
Rochester, MN 55905

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Rochester, MN

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Some issues Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD can help you with:

Hip Replacement

Hip replacement is a surgical procedure to replace parts of the hip joint that are damaged by disease or injury. It is most often done to treat arthritis, a common condition that causes stiffness and pain in the joints. Surgery is used only after other, less invasive treatments have failed to work.

The type of hip replacement patients receive is based on their age and the extent of damage to their hip. The hip joint has two parts: the femoral head, or hip ball, and the acetabulum, or hip socket. The hip ball is located on the upper end of the femur (thigh bone), and the hip socket is part of the pelvis. Depending on whether one or both parts require replacement, patients may need one of the following procedures:

Partial hip replacement, which is generally recommended in the case of hip fractures or other hip injuries. If a patient is having a partial hip replacement, only the hip ball will be replaced.
Total hip replacement, which is often used to treat the hip joint when it has become damaged due to arthritis. Both the hip socket and hip ball are replaced.
Hip resurfacing, which is usually performed for younger patients. A hip resurfacing procedure reshapes the hip ball and only replaces its surface. This preserves more bone and makes future surgeries easier. If a patient is having a partial hip resurfacing, only the hip ball is resurfaced and replaced. If a patient is having a total hip resurfacing, the hip socket will be replaced as well.

During hip replacement surgery, an incision is made along the side of the hip. The surgeon may access the joint directly through this incision, or by using small tools and a lighted tube called an arthroscope to see and treat the joint. The diseased tissue is removed, and the bones are smoothed out and fitted with metal ends. The metal pieces may be cemented in place, or they may have a porous structure that encourages bone to grow into them and hold them securely. A smooth plastic cushion is placed between the two bones to replace the cartilage and allow the joint to move freely.

Hip replacement surgery takes one to two hours, and afterwards patients may stay in the hospital for several days. When patients go home, they will have to use a cane, walker, or crutches at first. Patients will likely have physical therapy to improve their ability to move with their new hip. After the first few weeks, light exercise such as bike riding or swimming will help them heal, but certain actions, such as climbing stairs or bending over at the waist, may be difficult at first. It will take several weeks before they can drive or return to work. Full recovery may take six to 12 months.

Tendon Transfer

Tendons are rope-like fibers that connect muscles to bone. Tendon transfer surgery is a procedure that can be used to restore function to a muscle or tendon that no longer works due to injury or nerve damage. During the procedure, a neighboring tendon is 'borrowed' from an area where it is not necessary and repositioned to function in place of the damaged muscle or tendon.

Tendon transfer surgery can be performed on the arms, hands, feet, or other areas of the body where a muscle becomes unable to pull on its tendon. A nearby tendon is detached from its bone, but kept connected to its muscle, nerves, and blood supply. The loose end is connected to the bone that the patient could not move. After the attachment heals, the patient will be able to move that part of the body by flexing the newly connected muscle.

One of the benefits to tendon transfer surgery is that it does not have to be performed right away after an injury. It can be successful even if the affected area has been paralyzed for years. It does take time to retrain the brain to use a different muscle for movement, but the surgery is a powerful option to restore needed motion.

In The News

“The new plastics have only been out there for three years," says Rafael J. Sierra, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at the Mayo Clinic.”—"Wellness: On the Table", Valley Advocate, October 2011

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 5%

By Volume:

computer-assisted orthopedic surgery

total hip replacement

In 2023, Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD performed more computer-assisted orthopedic surgery (CAOS), and total hip replacement procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of providers in related specialties within Minnesota.

Top 10%

By Volume:

lower extremity surgery

In 2023, Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD performed more lower extremity surgery procedures for Medicare patients than 90% of providers in related specialties within Minnesota.

Top 25%

By Volume:

joint reconstruction

reconstructive surgery

total knee replacement

In 2012, Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD performed more joint reconstruction, reconstructive surgery, and total knee replacement procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of providers in related specialties within Minnesota.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD treated as a pediatric orthopedist in Rochester, MN during 2012 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery, lower extremity surgery and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	18
doctor visit	390
injections	18
joint surgery	72
lower extremity surgery	72
reconstructive surgery	72

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD treated as a pediatric orthopedist in Rochester, MN during 2013 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery and lower extremity surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	314
joint surgery	60
lower extremity surgery	60
reconstructive surgery	60

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	152
Female	169

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	306
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	126
From 75 to 84	108
85 and over	28
Less than 65	59

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD in 2013

Hypertension	59
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	19
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	22
Dementia	5
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD treated as a pediatric orthopedist in Rochester, MN during 2014 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery and lower extremity surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	341
joint surgery	53
lower extremity surgery	53
reconstructive surgery	53

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	126
Female	168

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	278
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	110
From 75 to 84	84
85 and over	27
Less than 65	73

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD in 2014

Hypertension	58
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	20
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	26
Dementia	0
Cancer	6

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD treated as a pediatric orthopedist in Rochester, MN during 2015 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery, lower extremity surgery and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	12
doctor visit	327
injections	12
joint surgery	57
lower extremity surgery	57
reconstructive surgery	57

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	242
Female	360

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	568
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	230
From 75 to 84	192
85 and over	58
Less than 65	122

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD in 2015

Hypertension	58
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	18
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	22
Dementia	6
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD treated as a pediatric orthopedist in Rochester, MN during 2016 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery and lower extremity surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	274
joint surgery	39
lower extremity surgery	39
reconstructive surgery	39

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	106
Female	150

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	243
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	100
From 75 to 84	81
85 and over	21
Less than 65	54

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD in 2016

Hypertension	55
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	25
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	15
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	7
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	23
Dementia	4
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD treated as a pediatric orthopedist in Rochester, MN during 2017 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery and lower extremity surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	278
joint surgery	45
lower extremity surgery	45
reconstructive surgery	45

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	104
Female	154

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	246
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	109
From 75 to 84	81
85 and over	23
Less than 65	45

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD in 2017

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	20
Dementia	7
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD treated as a pediatric orthopedist in Rochester, MN during 2018 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery, lower extremity surgery and computer assisted surgery (CAS).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD for Medicare patients.

computer assisted surgery (CAS)	37
doctor visit	283
joint surgery	68
lower extremity surgery	68
reconstructive surgery	68

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	101
Female	157

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	242
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	99
From 75 to 84	92
85 and over	25
Less than 65	42

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD in 2018

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	23
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	16
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	16
Dementia	7
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD treated as a pediatric orthopedist in Rochester, MN during 2019 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery, lower extremity surgery and computer assisted surgery (CAS).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD for Medicare patients.

computer assisted surgery (CAS)	42
doctor visit	219
joint surgery	71
lower extremity surgery	71
reconstructive surgery	71
revision surgery	11

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	89
Female	129

**Age**
From 65 to 74	91
From 75 to 84	81
85 and over	15
Less than 65	31

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD in 2019

Hypertension	66
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	23
Dementia	8
Cancer	16

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD treated as a pediatric orthopedist in Rochester, MN during 2020 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery, lower extremity surgery and computer assisted surgery (CAS).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD for Medicare patients.

computer assisted surgery (CAS)	51
doctor visit	283
joint surgery	88
lower extremity surgery	88
reconstructive surgery	88
revision surgery	14

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	110
Female	152

**Age**
From 65 to 74	111
From 75 to 84	93
85 and over	18
Less than 65	40

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD in 2020

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	16
Dementia	8
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD treated as a pediatric orthopedist in Rochester, MN during 2021 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery, lower extremity surgery and computer assisted surgery (CAS).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	14
computer assisted surgery (CAS)	66
doctor visit	297
injections	14
joint surgery	74
lower extremity surgery	74
reconstructive surgery	74

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	109
Female	144

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	242
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	116
From 75 to 84	86
85 and over	19
Less than 65	32

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD in 2021

Hypertension	62
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	19
Dementia	6
Cancer	9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD treated as a pediatric orthopedist in Rochester, MN during 2022 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery, lower extremity surgery and computer assisted surgery (CAS).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD for Medicare patients.

computer assisted surgery (CAS)	59
doctor visit	272
joint surgery	68
lower extremity surgery	68
reconstructive surgery	68

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	112
Female	130

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	226
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	105
From 75 to 84	93
85 and over	17
Less than 65	27

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD in 2022

Hypertension	70
High Cholesterol	72
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	21
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	20
Dementia	0
Cancer	18

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD treated as a pediatric orthopedist in Rochester, MN were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery, lower extremity surgery and computer assisted surgery (CAS).

aspiration	14
computer assisted surgery (CAS)	51
doctor visit	298
injections	14
joint surgery	63
lower extremity surgery	63
reconstructive surgery	63
revision surgery	12

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	113
Female	155

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	213
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	90
85 and over	22
Less than 65	47
65 to 74	108

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and depression.

Hypertension	55
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	1
Ischemic Heart Disease	25
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	20
Asthma	8
Osteoporosis	10
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	18
Atrial Fibrillation	11
Dementia	4
Cancer	11

Education & Training

Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD graduated from Pontifical Xavierian University Faculty of Medicine in 1996. He completed residency at Mayo Clinic. He is certified by the Orthopedic Surgery American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and has a state license in Minnesota.

Medical School: Pontifical Xavierian University Faculty of Medicine (1996)

Residency: Mayo Clinic (2005)

Board Certification: Orthopedic Surgery American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (2009)

Licensed In: Minnesota

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Mayo Clinic

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.	$4,655,079 G7 $4,263,662	OSS Orthopedic Salvage System $87,588	Perfuse Instrumentation and Kits $79,350	HIPS $55,945	Oxford-Knees $29,685	Other $138,849
Biomet Orthopedics, LLC	$59,956 Ortho-Hips $52,631	Ortho-Knees $5,494	Extremities $1,250	ORTHO - HIPS $269	ORTHO - KNEES $213	Other $98
ORTHALIGN INC	$33,049 Orthalign Plus $15,708	OrthAlign Plus System $13,880	ORTHALIGN PLUS $3,461
Think Surgical, Inc.	$12,000 Tsolution One Surgical System $12,000
LinkBio Corp	$9,341 $9,341
Other	$5,783 Ortho-Hips $1,401	KNEES $287	Mako $167	None $142	Biologics-Biologics Medical Devices $115	Other $3,672

**Types of Payments**
Royalty or License	$4,632,472
Consulting Fee	$97,592
Travel and Lodging	$40,693
Food and Beverage	$4,354
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$50
Other	$47

Research Payments

Dr. Rafael J. Sierra, MD has received 5 research payments totaling $37,978.

Biography

Dr. Rafael Sierra is a pediatric orthopedics/orthopedic surgery specialist in Rochester, MN. These areas are among Dr. Sierra's clinical interests: hip replacement, knee replacement, and knee arthritis. He is professionally affiliated with Mayo Clinic. Before completing his residency at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Sierra attended medical school at Pontifical Xavierian University Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Sierra's distinctions include: Kappa Delta Award for paper - American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; The Frank Stinchfield Award The Hip Society; and Best Poster Award: Non-Arthroplasty - American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. He speaks Spanish.