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Introducing ThedaCare Medical Center-Orthopedic, Spine and Pain

Last updated: July 11, 2022

Complete, collaborative care will take a major step forward with the opening of ThedaCare Medical Center-Orthopedic, Spine and Pain, the region’s only comprehensive hospital dedicated exclusively to those three disciplines.  

The center, which is slated to open July 25, offers high-end features and brings together experts from ThedaCare and Neuroscience Group who collaborate to provide seamless, coordinated care for the full range of orthopedic, spine and pain needs — all toward the goal of providing patient-centered, efficient care at a reduced cost. 

Amenities including home simulations that help patients and their families prepare for a return to home life after a procedure, meals to go and retail pharmacy create a smoother path to recovery.  

David Corso, Vice President of ThedaCare Medical Center-Orthopedic, Spine and Pain, says the facility puts patient needs and wants at the forefront.  

“It’s about bringing services and clinicians to the patient,” Corso says. “If the patient needs surgery, instead of having to go to several places to have multiple pre-surgery preparations performed, we’re going to perform all the surgical optimization in one visit at the center.” 

The center also provides services that cater to athletes of all kinds. The outpatient therapy space offers features that simulate various activities, including turf, net cages for baseball, softball and golf, a hardwood court for sports like basketball and volleyball, and a warm-water pool for aquatic therapy.

Prioritizing Population Health 

With people living longer lives and many remaining active well into their senior years, the need for orthopedic, spine and pain care is increasing. In 2021, Harvard Health reported that surgeons perform an average of 600,000 knee replacements and about 330,000 hip replacements each year. Those figures are expected to increase by a factor of five or six by 2035.  

In addition, in 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 20.4% of adults had chronic pain, and 7.4% of adults had chronic pain that frequently limited life or work activities (referred to as high-impact chronic pain). Chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain both increased with age and were highest among adults aged 65 and over. 

ThedaCare Medical Center-Orthopedic, Spine and Pain is designed to meet the increasing need for specialized care. 

“The goal is to make exceptional care effortless for patients and families by understanding individual needs,” said Imran Andrabi, MD, President and CEO of ThedaCare, when the plans for the new facility were announced in late 2019.  

Experts in surgery, physical therapy, pain management and sports medicine helped design the flow of space, people, equipment and technology throughout the facility. A highlight of the center is the ThedaCare orthopedic and spine hospital, which consists of operating suites designed for and dedicated to orthopedic and spine surgery, 25 inpatient beds, and support services including imaging, lab, pharmacy and dining. 

“Many of my patients are the ‘weekend warrior’ trying to get back to pickle ball or their golf league. My goal is to help them overcome their orthopedic injuries so they can get back to what inspires them.”

Dr. Nickolas Linkous, orthopedic sports surgeon, ThedaCare

Dr. Nickolas Linkous, an orthopedic sports surgeon with ThedaCare, cares for individuals with needs ranging from athletes looking to return to their sports to people with chronic knee and shoulder injuries. 

“The observed trend we are seeing is that patients are staying active longer and are less willing to sacrifice their sports, hobbies and passions in the face of orthopedic injuries,” he says. “Many of my patients are the ‘weekend warrior’ trying to get back to pickle ball or their golf league. My goal is to help them overcome their orthopedic injuries so they can get back to what inspires them.” 

Dr. Linkous says the center will offer all-encompassing health care for patients with orthopedic injuries. For example, a patient could come for care at the orthopedic walk-in clinic and follow up with a surgeon at the same facility. In addition, offering perioperative services, surgery, post-operative care, and physical and occupational therapy in one facility streamlines patient care. 

“The center takes all these different points of care and brings them to one convenient place for our patients,” Dr. Linkous says. “Instead of these health care teams stretched across various points in the Fox Cities, they’re literally steps away from each other, which optimizes communication and ultimately leads to great patient care.”

Join Us for a Community Open House

ThedaCare and Neuroscience Group invite you to attend a community open house on Thursday, July 21 from 4 to 7 p.m. at 2400 E. Capitol Drive, Appleton

The free event includes: 

  • Tours of the facility 
  • Family-friendly activities 
  • Food trucks 
  • Giveaways and prizes 

More Information

Tags: collaborative care comprehensive care grand opening orthopedics pain ThedaCare Medical Center-Orthopedic, Spine and Pain

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