Every year, the Charlottesville community is handed a ballot and asked a simple question: who does it best around here?
This year, enough of you wrote in our name that Charlottesville Orthopaedic Center earned Silver in the Orthopedic Surgeon category of Charlottesville’s Finest 2026. It’s a community-voted awards program run by Charlottesville Media Group, covering everything from restaurants and roofers to physicians and physical therapists.
We didn’t campaign for it. We didn’t buy it. Someone had to type our name into a ballot, and a lot of you did. That’s the part that means something to us.
So before anything else: thank you.
What This Award Actually Represents
There’s no panel of judges behind Charlottesville’s Finest. There’s no application fee that buys a trophy. Winners are chosen by the people who live here, the neighbors and coworkers and weekend athletes and parents and retirees who make up Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
That means this Silver award isn’t a marketing credential. It’s a receipt. It’s the sum of thousands of small moments: a knee that finally stopped aching, a wrist that healed straight, a shoulder that could reach the top shelf again, a season an athlete didn’t have to sit out.
Each of those moments happened in an exam room, a therapy gym, or an operating room, with one of our providers and one of you.
The Team You Voted For
An award in an “Orthopedic Surgeon” category has one name attached to it in most people’s minds, and around here that name is Dr. David Nielsen, DO, our founder and a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship training in hand, upper extremity, and shoulder surgery, including a Certificate of Added Qualification in Hand Surgery. He operates at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital and Monticello Community Surgery Center.
But nobody heals alone. Our physician assistants, physical therapists, radiology techs, and front-desk team are the reason care here feels continuous instead of fragmented. When you have surgery with us, the person guiding your rehab isn’t a referral across town. It’s Dr. Matt Connor, DPT and our in-house therapy team, working from your surgeon’s own protocol.
You can meet everyone on our full care team.
Why Patients Keep Choosing Us
We think the votes come down to a few things we’ve been deliberate about from day one.
One roof, start to finish. Diagnosis, imaging, injections, surgery, and rehab all happen at 183 Spotnap Road. You’re not chasing referrals across Charlottesville or repeating your story to four different offices. See our surgical services, non-surgical services, and physical therapy program.
Surgery is the last option, not the first. A meaningful share of the patients who walk in convinced they need an operation walk out with a plan that doesn’t involve one. That might be physical therapy, a splint or brace, an injection, or regenerative therapy such as PRP or hyaluronic acid injections for knee arthritis.
When surgery is right, it’s the least invasive version that works. We offer arthroscopy, modern knee replacement, hand and upper-extremity procedures, and fracture and trauma repair, chosen for your joint and your life, not for the schedule.
You get an actual explanation. Nobody leaves here holding a printout they don’t understand. If you can’t describe your own diagnosis and plan by the time you’re in the parking lot, we didn’t finish the visit.
Access that respects your day. We open at 7:00 a.m. Monday through Friday because a hurt shoulder shouldn’t cost you a vacation day, and we keep our billing and insurance information clear up front.
Have Something That’s Been Bothering You?
If you’ve been managing a joint, a nerve, or an old injury by just working around it, you don’t have to keep doing that.
Call (434) 244-8412 or request an appointment online. We’re at 183 Spotnap Road, Suite C, Charlottesville, VA 22911, open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
You can also read what other patients have said on our reviews page, the same voices behind this award.
Thank you, Charlottesville!
Frequently Asked Questions
What award did Charlottesville Orthopaedic Center win in 2026?
Charlottesville Orthopaedic Center was named a Silver winner in the Orthopedic Surgeon category of Charlottesville’s Finest 2026, a community-voted awards program produced by Charlottesville Media Group.
Who votes for the Charlottesville’s Finest awards?
Local residents. Charlottesville’s Finest opens public nominations and then a community voting round across categories including Health & Beauty, Eat & Drink, Services, and Home & Garden. Winners are determined by votes, not by a judging panel or paid entry.
Who is the orthopedic surgeon at Charlottesville Orthopaedic Center?
Dr. David Nielsen, DO, is the founder and a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with subspecialty training in hand, upper extremity, and shoulder surgery, including a Certificate of Added Qualification in Hand Surgery. He performs surgery at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital and Monticello Community Surgery Center.
What services does Charlottesville Orthopaedic Center offer?
Surgical services (joint replacement, arthroscopy, hand and upper extremity surgery, fracture and trauma surgery), non-surgical care (office visits, X-ray, injections, splints and braces, fracture care), regenerative therapy (PRP, stem cell therapy, hyaluronic acid injections), and a full in-house physical therapy program.
Where is Charlottesville Orthopaedic Center located?
183 Spotnap Road, Suite C, Charlottesville, VA 22911. Call (434) 244-8412 to schedule.
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Patient Resources
Explore our Patient Resource Center for helpful information about our expert team, comprehensive services, informative blog, and how to easily connect with us.
Complimentary Movement Screenings
Charlottesville Orthopaedic Center offers complimentary movement screenings to assess your movement, identify imbalances, and help prevent injuries. Whether you’re active, recovering, or want to move better, our expert physical therapists provide personalized recommendations for your long-term mobility and wellness.
View DetailsWhat Our Patients Say
“I went to Dr. Nielsen for a second opinion on a dislocated hand. My first surgeon recommended surgery without much consideration. A friend suggested Dr. Nielsen, who spent time reviewing my case and concluded that I only needed rehabilitation. He was right! He's an excellent doctor.”
I was impressed with the quality of service and the caring people throughout the visit, from the receptionist to the doctor seen. They truly care and are honest and professional.
The best ortho in the state. Got my son in right away and is a very caring crew. Professional and clean atmosphere. Would recommend to anyone.
We can’t recommend Dr. Nielsen and his team enough. They represent the best in medical care and kindness to others. They are truly excellent in providing healthcare services. With him, you will find a health partner, a supportive friend on your health journey, and continuous support in your pursuit of well-being.
Highly recommend Charlottesville Orthopedic Center for PT. They are the best! Very knowledgeable, detailed, patient, caring and they listen. I had shoulder and knee issues. Matt was my physical therapist and I would definitely go back if I ever need more therapy. Thank you so much for all your help.
Very responsive, same day service. Staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and thorough when communicating complex medical information.
Great place. The best group of people you could ask for. Knowledgeable and polite. #1
I was able to get a same day appointment after every other place I called turned me away. In the end, I was glad I got turned away elsewhere because I can’t imagine any other practice being more caring and understanding.
