News and Updates

Dr. Joseph Trader to retire

Patients who have been treated by Dr. Trader may continue to see one of the three other board certified orthopaedic surgeons in the practice. Medical records will remain on file. Please call the office, 682.6376, if there are questions or concerns.

The practice is grateful for Dr. Trader’s years of service to the community. A graduate of Medical College of Wisconsin, he finished his orthopaedic residency in Milwaukee and served in the U.S. Navy.  He joined Dr. Thomas Perry and Dr. Joseph DiRaimondo in 1977. Dr. Trader anticipates remaining in the community and looks forward to spending more time at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum where he has served on the board of directors.

Other physicians in the practice are:

Dr. David Kuester

Trained at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, Dr. Kuester completed residency at the Campbell Clinic in Memphis and a fellowship in sports medicine at Duke University. Dr. Kuester is one of only two physicians in the region who are sub-specialty certified in sports medicine.

Dr. Carl DiRaimondo

A graduate of The Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Dr. DiRaimondo completed his orthopaedic residency at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, IL and a fellowship in sports medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. Dr. DiRaimondo is also sub-specialty certified in Sports Medicine.

Dr. Craig Olson

After graduating from University of Washington with a degree in Engineering, Dr. Olson received his medical degree from Rush Medical College, his orthopedic residency from Rush Presbyterian/St. Luke's Hospital, both in Chicago, IL, and his fellowship training in the shoulder and sports medicine from Western Sydney Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center in Sydney, Australia.

Orthopaedic Associates physicians are available 24/7 and provide a full range of general orthopaedic care.

Dr. DiRaimondo at the Y Oct. 19

Don’t let hip or knee pain slow you down.

If you’re worried that you’re facing total joint replacement? You’ve got options! Find out about non-surgical treatments. The latest in surgical techniques mean fewer complications and faster recovery. Don’t give in: get back up to speed.

Find out more:

Wednesday, October 19, 12:15pm at the Manitowoc YMCA in the meeting room

Orthopaedic Associates’ Dr. Carl DiRaimondo will tell you what’s new in the treatment of painful joints and help you figure out whether it’s time for surgery or whether you can wait. You’ll have a chance to ask questions and hear about other patients’ experiences.

Call Shellie for information 482-1565.

Serving Chilton Patients Too!

As a convenience to our rural patients, OA docs are available at the Calumet Medical Center in Chilton. We offer clinic hours, cover the emergency room and perform surgery here as well.

We know that many of our patients travel across the county to see us. Our docs also cover football games in Hilbert, New Holstein and surrounding areas and provide sports medicine services for Reedsville Public Schools.

If you would like to see us in Chilton, call our Manitowoc office or call us toll free 877.618.6676. We are happy to serve you.

Expert Therapy sports coverage: Legion and Bandits Baseball, Reedville Schools

Expert Therapy has been selected to provide sports therapy training coverage for this summer seasons for Manitowoc Legion Baseball and Manitowoc Bandits Baseball and for Reedsville Public Schools 2011-2012 sports programs.

“Our certified athletic trainer and physical therapists are specially qualified to treat and manage our athletes’ conditioning, training and injuries, and ultimately better prepared to return to the game,” says Jacci Meier, RN and Rehab Coordinator. “An important component of our job is to facilitate communication among players, families, coaching staff and health care providers to assure athletes’ timely care and safe return to their sport.”

Athletic trainers have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and are certified by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification, Inc. through written and extensive practical exams. They are qualified to assess the symptom or injury, coordinate the necessary treatment and promote muscle strength and coordination to prevent future musculo-skeletal issues.

“Our trainers are on the sidelines of all home games and maintain clinic hours to triage and follow athletes who are experiencing problems or have had injuries,” Meier comments. “They have prompt and regular access to our staff of orthopaedic surgeons in case of injury or further coordination of care.”

Check out game schedules:

http://www.manitowocbandits.com/schedule

http://www.manitowoclegion.org/

http://www.reedsville.k12.wi.us/schoolwebsite/sportscalendar.htm

Trouble getting your game back?

With spring and summer finally coming to the lakeshore, many of us are anxious to get back to outdoor sports -- softball and volleyball leagues or out on the running and bike trails. Sometimes sports injuries follow – and no one wants to spend our short summer suffering with a sore knee or ankle.

When is it time to see your orthopaedic surgeon?

First, try the “RICE” treatment: rest, ice, compress (ace bandage or wrap) and elevate. Many minor injuries or ailments can heal themselves in a couple days with this diligent regimen. Include some anti-inflammatory medications such as Aleve or Advil. If you’re not feeling better, it’s probably time to call us.

OA docs perform more sports related arthroscopic procedures than any other group in the county.

We have the only orthopaedic surgeons sub specialty certified in sports medicine in the county.

Ours is the only joint specific MRI in the county; our pricing makes it an attractive value.

No one wants to suffer with an injury or ailment that keeps you from your favorite recreational activities. We all want to keep fit and have fun. Orthopaedics is all about getting you well and keeping you well. Advanced procedures and therapy solutions can often get you back in your game quickly.

Check the “Education and Research” section of our website for more information. Here are some other useful links:

www.acsm.org American College of Sports Medicine

www.stopsportsinjuries.org sponsored by several orthopaedic organizations

Free Baseball Clinic For Kids

Free clinic for kids: gear up for baseball.

Here’s an opportunity to get youth players ready for a safe, successful season.

Baseball Throwing TIPS Clinic

Sat., April 9, 8.30am-noon at Citizen's Park

Boys & girls ages 9-14, coaches & parents

This is a free clinic planned to help prevent injuries and improve throwing techniques.

Advance registration is appreciated -- call Orthopaedic Associates, 682.6376 ext. 1012 for information.

Presented by American Legion Baseball.

Who should come?

Baseball and softball players, boys and girls, ages 9-14 and their coaches and parents.

What to bring and wear:

Players need a waiver signed by a parent. Dress to throw and work out. Wear gym shoes. Bring your glove.

Our evaluation includes:

Physical evaluation -- orthopaedic sports medicine docs will examine your elbow/shoulder motion, strength and stability.

Conditioning regimen/warm-up -- our staff will show you on-the-field warm-ups and stretches and a regimen to prepare you for optimum throwing performance.

Upper/lower extremity training -- we'll show you stretching and strengthening strategies which will improve your delivery and prevent injuries or stress during the season.

Coaching strategies -- we'll evaluate your throwing motion and suggest ways you might improve.

Video analysis -- we'll video your throwing technique for immediate on-site feedback from one of our coaches and identify potential dangers or weaknesses for you to work on.

This free program is sponsored by Orthopaedic Associates, Expert Therapy, Comcast, WOMT 1240 Radio.

Click here to view the brochure

Find out what your health care really costs

The state of Wisconsin recently passed legislation that requires health care providers to inform consumers/patients in advance what procedures will cost. The good news is that you won’t be surprised when your medical bills arrive. The challenge is learning how to understand and use this information.

If you have a higher deductible or a health savings account to manage, you’ll want to spend your dollars wisely.

Comparing costs can be tricky. Gathering all the information involved in your care assures that you’re comparing “apples” to “apples.” For example, if you’re having surgery, find out fees for your surgeon, the hospital or surgical facility, anesthesia, and whether there’s any needed imaging or laboratory tests. On the insurance side, you’ll need to know your deductible, whether your providers are in- or out-of-network, and any payment caps so you can plan what you’ll pay and what your insurer will pay.

A little research can mean big savings for you. Don’t get discouraged; there are resources to help you. Similar to buying a car, do a little research and compare costs, quality, and service. You’d be surprised how prices within a single community can vary significantly from one hospital to another (see more below).

Need help? Independent online tracking organizations can help you with cost and quality information:  www.wicheckpoint.org, www.wipricepoint.org. Also, your insurer’s website may have information about quality of care and costs of specific physicians and hospitals/surgical facilities in your area. Many insurers track physicians’ record of treatment outcomes and rank them in quality tiers. You may be surprised at how your physician’s care is evaluated.

We can help, too. We’re confident that our facility and surgeons offer the highest value care. We’ll even help you compare the procedure costs using us versus other physicians and facilities. No kidding: call us. One of our insurance specialists can walk you through the process.

Learn more.

Manitowoc Surgery Center – www.manitowocsurgical.com, 920.683.1250. Look for our “Planning surgery” section and worksheet.

Wisconsin Price point – www.wipricepoint.org

This independent site tracks quality data for surgical facilities—infection rates, safety measures, and service data.

Wisconsin Checkpoint – www.wicheckpoint.org 

This independent site tracks prices charged for typical procedures during a recent six-month period.

Wis. Assembly Bill 614 –  www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/AB-614.pdf

Learn more about health care price transparency.

Check your insurer’s website for information. Anthem/Blue Cross, United, Humana, and others have extensive data about physicians and facilities.

Here are some examples of pricing comparisons quoted by www.wipricepoint.org 4/09-3/10 (facility fee only, median charge, no other procedures):

Removal of medial or lateral cartilage

Hospital A                                    $10,152

Hospital B                                    $9,657

Manitowoc Surgery Center       $5,200

Colonoscopy, Diagnostic                                  

Hospital A                                   $1,610

Hospital B                                   $2,331

Manitowoc Surgery Center       $1,575

Removal of Cyst, Tumor, or Other Lesion from Breast           

Hospital A                                    $5,229

Hospital B                                    $6,886

Manitowoc Surgery Center       $3,328

Here’s an example of the quality data posted by www.wicheckpoint.org on 12.28.10

Surgical infection prevention index:           

Hospital A                                    87%

Hospital B                                    93%

State Benchmark                        95%

Manitowoc Surgery Center       100%*

*CheckPoint does not yet report on surgery centers. The above measure compares exactly with their protocols as reported in an independent survey by the American Association of Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) of Manitowoc Surgery Center’s infection control protocol as of 5/10.

Replacing Joints-Restoring Life

Some people accept knee and hip pain as a regular and expected result of the aging process. But, that pain is not something that just needs to be accepted.There are many non-surgical solutions for hip and knee pain including anti-inflammatory medications, lubricant injections and physical therapy.

If it’s time for joint replacement, Orthopaedic Associates of Manitowoc offers same-day procedures, which means there normally is no hospital stay, patients recover quicker (usually, at home), and there is less pain and fewer complications. Most procedures are performed at the Manitowoc Surgery Center, and most patients are walking later the same day of their surgery.

No provider in Manitowoc County performs more total joint procedures than Orthopaedic Associates of Manitowoc. Patients can expect more advanced surgical techniques, lower rates of infection or complications, and an open, joint-specific MRI.

Don’t suffer too long. Call one of our orthopaedic surgeons today to see how you can get back in your game.