Orthopedic care

Back pain and spinal conditions can sometimes be treated with nonsurgical solutions. We'll explore these options with you before recommending surgery.

The nonsurgical methods our team uses include:

• Braces
• Casting
• Compression
• Corticosteroid injections
• Hyaluronate injections
• Physical therapy
• Splinting

If you or your child need spine surgery, we offer state-of-the-art procedures for conditions such as sciatica, scoliosis and lumbar fractures.

We offer the following surgical procedures:

• Amputation reconstruction and revision
• Deformity correction
• Extremity fracture care
• Implant removal and replacement
• Joint replacement surgery
• Limb and joint preservation
• Limb lengthening
• Robotic spinal surgery

Minimally invasive surgery

We can perform minimally invasive surgery if it's suitable for your condition. Potential benefits of this type of procedure include minimal scarring, a faster recovery time and a shorter hospital stay — or no stay at all. Minimally invasive methods we use include:

• Arthroscopy — performing surgery with the assistance of a scope equipped with a miniature camera and tools
• External fixation — attaching devices to bones to immobilize them so that a fracture can heal properly
• Internal fixation — repositioning bones into their correct alignment by inserting plates, screws and titanium rods

Fractures require immediate care, whether the bone injury is a barely visible hairline crack or a complex break in multiple places. Our orthopedic surgeons are experts at operating on fractures. Regardless of the type of fracture you have, we diagnose the issue and determine what kind of surgery is the best option for your particular situation.

Treating nonunion fractures

When a broken bone fails to heal through traditional treatment or conventional surgery, it's called a nonunion fracture. This can happen for several reasons, including a lack of nutrition provided to the bone, insufficient blood supply and inadequate stabilization of the bone.

Nonunion fractures can be very frustrating and may drastically affect your quality of life. Our team works with you to create a care plan based on your specific needs and recovery goals.

Treatments we offer for nonunion fractures include:

• Bone stimulation using a small device that produces ultrasonic and pulsed electromagnetic waves
• Surgery to stabilize the bone and provide enough blood supply to help the bone and soft tissue around the fracture heal
• Placement of bone grafts to supply the site with supportive cells and encourage fresh bone-forming

Arthritis occurs if your cartilage wears thin over time or becomes inflamed by your body's immune system. The result is swelling, pain and the potential for joint deformity.

We might prescribe anti-inflammatory medications and other nonsurgical care as a first line of treatment. However, if your condition is at an advanced stage, we might recommend minimally invasive procedures or total joint replacement surgery.

Chronic joint pain can disrupt your life and cause significant discomfort. Our specialists are highly experienced and trained in advanced procedures that address joint issues, including:

• Foot and ankle — procedures such as clubfoot repairs, ankle replacements and Achilles tendon repairs
• Hips — arthroscopic surgery and total hip replacements
• Knees — total knee replacements
• Shoulders — arthroscopic surgery and total shoulder replacements

Some infections, traumatic injuries, cancers and chronic illnesses can threaten the health of your arms and legs. If you're facing a situation like this, we act quickly and consult with specialists who have training in innovative limb preservation techniques.

In some cases, your treatment might include amputation. If this scenario presents itself, we share with you the knowledge and resources you need to make an informed decision about your care.

Limb preservation institute

We work with the Institute for Limb Preservation at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center, the Rocky Mountain region’s premier medical community focused on diseases and trauma affecting your arms, hands, legs and feet. Together, we've treated more than 10,000 people for conditions like bone cancer, trauma, infection, bone and soft tissue tumors.

Our team also includes board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons. Our primary interests include treating benign and malignant tumors of the bone and soft tissue in adults and children.

We offer one of the few programs in the U.S. that uses an FDA-approved system for bone-anchored prosthetics in amputations done above your knee. This sophisticated system relies on your body’s ability to accept and integrate a titanium implant we place in your bone. The process we use is known as osseointegration. It anchors your prosthetic in place securely and permanently.

We partner with a group of orthopedic surgeons who specialize in orthopedic trauma care. These skilled doctors excel at performing complex orthopedic surgery on traumatic injuries. We also work closely with emergency and urgent care doctors to ensure you get the treatment you need when you need it most.

Our surgeons and our partners have extensive training and use the latest technology and techniques, including minimally invasive procedures.

If your injury or condition requires surgical treatment or critical care, you might need ongoing support, such as inpatient rehabilitation services, dressing changes, casts, suture care or hardware removal. You get access to all of that at our clinic.

We understand how worrisome it is when your child's bone, joint or muscle health is threatened. Our compassionate pediatric orthopedic specialists keep their growing musculoskeletal system in mind while giving them excellent orthopedic care that's personalized for them.

Our team offers the following services for your child:

• Foot and ankle care
• Hand and upper extremity care
• Spine care
• Sports medicine

Your physical pastimes might involve a refreshing daily walk, weekly fitness classes or a vigorous athletic routine. Regardless of your activity level, our sports medicine specialists treat a broad range of sports injuries, including:

• Shoulder dislocations
• Skier's thumb
• Sprains
• Tennis elbow
• Torn tendons

Our recovery program supports you as you work toward returning to the activities you love at your own optimum level.

When you're injured on the job, it can affect not only your day-to-day activities but also your livelihood. We address your work injury with this reality in mind, giving you timely, state-of-the-art treatment and access to the latest physical therapy methods.