Orthopaedics

Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

The orthopaedic surgeons and providers at the Minnesota Center for Orthopaedics (MCO) at Riverwood Healthcare Center offers state-of-the-art diagnosis, outpatient treatment and rehabilitation for all types of bone, joint and musculoskeletal conditions and injuries.

Orthopaedic surgery & non-surgical solutions

At Riverwood Healthcare, our orthopaedic surgeons are fellowship-trained in hip and knee joint replacements and reconstruction, as well as surgeries for shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands. This means they have achieved the highest level of training in their field, becoming dedicated experts in the surgeries they perform. They offer surgical and non-surgical solutions to reduce pain, increase mobility, and improve your quality of life, including:

Joint care
Total joint replacement with Rapid Recovery
Hip surgery
Knee replacement surgery (VELYS robotic-assisted solution)
Shoulder surgery
Rotator cuff repair

Hand, wrist, and elbow surgery (including treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome)
Fracture care
Cortisone injections
Arthritis management
Platelet-Rich Plasma

You’ll receive comprehensive orthopaedic care which includes preoperative education throughout surgery and hospital stays to postoperative visits with your orthopaedic team and physical therapy. With a staff of highly educated, trained, and personable surgeons and specialists on your team, you will receive the highest level of orthopaedic care.

To refer a patient for orthopaedic care at Riverwood in Aitkin, or to schedule your orthopaedic appointment, call our Specialty Clinic at 218-927-5181.

Our Orthopaedic Surgeons

ErikSeverson_NewBackground — Erik Severson, MD

JeffreyKlassen_NewBackground — Jeffrey Klassen, MD

SusanMoen_NewBackground — Susan Moen, MD

JamesStokman_NewBackground — James Stokman, MD

Patient Testimonials

VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution – Digital Precision in Knee Replacement

Riverwood Healthcare Center’s Dr. Erik Severson is one of the first orthopaedic surgeons in the nation to be performing knee replacement surgery with the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution.

Understanding your knee replacement with the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution.

A knee replacement is a procedure performed to fix the damaged parts of a knee with different types of implants¹. Advanced technology like robotic-assisted devices can help your surgeon perform a precise knee replacement surgery personalized for your specific anatomy².

Every knee is different, as is every patient requiring a knee replacement procedure.

The VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution assists your surgeon in optimizing surgical outcomes. It does this by using intra operative data that’s unique to you. Your surgeon utilizes the technology during your procedure to enhance the accuracy and precision of your knee replacement to help you start moving again².

How does the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution work?

The VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution uses a variety of advanced technologies to ensure the surgeon has the information and tools they need to perform a highly accurate and precise knee replacement2. This solution is designed to:

Aid your surgeon by accessing state-of-the-art technology to provide insights for real-time decision making
Help your surgeon remove the damaged bone with accuracy. This robotic-assisted device does not move or operate on its own.
Use an infrared camera and optical trackers to help your surgeon gather the necessary data about your anatomy to achieve a high level of precision

The VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution works exclusively with the ATTUNE® Knee System. The ATTUNE Knee System has been provided to over 1 million patients worldwide and is designed to deliver a greater range of motion and faster recovery, so you can get back to living the life you want to live.^3,4,8

How is robotic-assisted technology different?

Robotic-assisted

Technology controlled by surgeon²
May experience less pain and faster recovery4,8
More consistent outcomes (inconsistencies can affect recovery)

Traditional

Hand-held tool
May experience longer recovery time 4,7-8
Outcomes⁴ may change based on surgeon processes and performance

What are the benefits of using robotic-assisted technology?

There are numerous potential benefits to using this technology for your knee replacement.* During your procedure, the technology will gather details and data related to your knee to help find a favorable implant fit. Additionally, robotic-assisted technology may allow your surgeon to perform a knee replacement tailored to you, while providing both precision and accuracy during your procedure².

Perform knee replacement tailored to you
Provide precision and accuracy
Gather details and data related to your knee to find a favorable implant fit

*Findings based on studies conducted across multiple robotic-assisted total knee replacement systems.

References:

Johns Hopkins Medicine. Knee replacement surgery procedure. Accessed April 27, 2021. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/kneereplacement-surgery-procedure.
Doan et al. Resection Accuracy Improved Using A Novel Concept For Robotic-assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty; ORS 2021 Annual Meeting Paper No. 0333.
ATTUNE® Knee System Unit Sales 2019. DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.
Agarwal N, To K, McDonnell S, Khan W. Clinical and radiological outcomes in robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Arthroplasty. 2020;35(11):3393-3409.
Etter K, Lerner J, Kalsekar I, de Moor C, Yoo A, Swank M. Comparative Analysis of Hospital Length of Stay and Discharge Status of Two Contemporary Primary Total Knee Systems. J Knee Surg. 2017. 1(212): 1-10. DOI https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0037-1604442. Premier PerspectiveTM Database analysis including 38 hospitals, representing 1,178 primary, unilateral TKAs with the ATTUNE Knee and 5,707 primary, unilateral TKAs with TriathlonTM.
Katz JN, Mahomed NN, Baron JA, et al. Association of hospital and surgeon procedure volume with patient centered outcomes of total knee replacement in a population-based cohort of patients age 65 years and older. Arthritis Rheum. 2007;56(2):568-574.
Cool CL, Jacofsky DJ, Seeger KA, Sodhi N, Mont MA. A 90-day episode-of-care cost analysis of robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty. J Comp Eff Res. 2019;8(5):327-336.
Mitchell J, Wang J, Bukowski B, Greiner J, Wolford B, Oyer M, Illgen R. Relative Clinical Outcomes Comparing Manual and Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty at Minimum 1-Year Follow-up. HSS Journal, The Musculoskeletal Journal of Hospital for Special Surgery. 2021; Vol. 17(3) 267-273.

© DePuy Synthes 2021. All rights reserved. 188295-210903 DSUS

The third-party trademarks used herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

Please refer to the instructions for use for a complete list of indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions.

Rapid Recovery Surgical Outcomes

Dr. Erik Severson developed an innovative Rapid Recovery Program, a leading edge joint replacement protocol, that has proven outcome enhancements for total joint replacement patients, including shorter hospital stays, less pain and faster recovery. Many patients are able to go home one to two days after joint replacement surgery. However, each patient is looked at individually and discharge plans are based on a patient’s needs. With the Rapid Recovery Protocol, patients on average rate their pain on day 1 of surgery 2.8 on a scale of 1 to 10 vs. 4.4 for patients pre Rapid Recovery. Knee replacement patients are typically discharged from the hospital in less than two days with the Rapid Recovery Protocol when the national average is three to four days.

Same-day orthopaedic care

At Riverwood, orthopaedic care is available when you need it. We offer same-day orthopaedic appointments, Monday-Friday. Nurse Practitioner Josh Jacobson will assess your injury or condition and determine next steps for treatment.

Call 218-927-5181 to make a same-day appointment.

Schedule an Appointment

Our Orthopaedic Surgical Team

AustinKrohn_NewBackground — Austin Krohn, MD

JoshJacobson_NewBackground — Josh Jacobson, FNP-BC

ErinMason_NewBackground — Erin Mason, PA-C

MattFleming_NewBackground — Matt Fleming, PA

AbbyQuinell_NewBackground — Abby Dingmann, PA-C, MPAS

KateSarlette_NewBackground — Kate Sarlette, PA-C

MitchMimbach_NewBackground — Mitchell Mimbach, PA-C

TomLewandowski_NewBackground — Tom Lewandowski, PA

Therapy Services

Our orthopaedic team includes experienced physical therapists who coach and guide patients’ recovery before and after surgery. Therapists help hip or knee replacement surgery patients get up and walking on the day of surgery and set a schedule for ongoing therapy.

To schedule a therapy appointment, call 218-927-5580. Visit Therapy Services for additional information.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is new technology being used for hip replacements?

Dr. Erik Severson, fellowship trained in orthopaedic surgery and specializing in joint replacements and revisions, uses the VELYS Hip Navigation system for greater precision to improve outcomes for total hip replacement patients. This computer-guided tool gives the surgeon precise measurements to use for hip implant positioning. This real-time data provided via x-rays and a computer-generated chart during the operation helps the surgeon determine the precise leg length, down to 1 millimeter accuracy, to give the patient the greatest comfort and stability. Other benefits include a shorter operation with less time under anesthesia for the patient and optimal patient satisfaction.

What kind of hand and wrist treatment and surgery do you offer?

With fellowship training in hand surgery, Dr. Susan Moen diagnoses and treats many conditions related to the different structures in the hand, wrist, and elbow. Her surgical expertise ranges from treating injuries and congenital defects to arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome and cysts or tumors. In addition, she performs several hand and wrist procedures, including open carpal tunnel release, trigger finger release and cyst excisions/removals, for patients in the clinic when only a local anesthetic is required.

When needed to aid recovery, patients are referred to a Riverwood occupational therapist certified in hand therapy to reduce pain and restore function.

What surgical expertise is available for shoulder surgery?

With more than 20 years of experience and fellowship trained in shoulder and elbow surgery, Dr. Jeffrey Klassen specializes in shoulder and injuries as well as sports-related injuries and joint conditions for all ages. His practice includes treatment for shoulder arthroscopy, shoulder instability surgery, rotator cuff repair/reconstruction, total and reverse total shoulder replacement, sports and trauma-related elbow ligamentous and reconstructive surgery, elbow arthroscopy, management of the stiff elbow and total elbow arthroplasty.