The decision to have a knee replacement surgery can be a big decision. You will know when the time is right because your knee pain is stopping you from enjoying your life and the physical things you enjoy doing. Schedule a comprehensive knee evaluation with your orthopedic surgeon to learn about your options. What is…
Knee
What does an x-ray show?
Radiographs (x-rays) are the first step in imaging of the injured or painful body part. Your provider can show you the x-ray at the time of your visit, and explain the degenerative changes in your joint, or identify where the fracture is and its severity. Hand X-ray – we take at least two images and…
Learn about Hip, Shoulder and Knee Injuries on ESPN’s Sports Medicine Journal
The Sports Medicine Journal – radio interviews with Dr. Michael Wright Once a month, Colter Nuanez of ESPN Missoula is joined on “Nuanez Now” by Dr. Michael Wright, an orthopedic surgeon at Missoula Bone & Joint to discuss a variety of sports injuries that afflict athletes. Dr. Wright is a fellowship-trained, board-certified sports medicine specialist…
Knee Pain, Knee Injuries and Conditions
The knee is one of the most easily injured joints in your body. It is also subject to degenerative disorders, such as arthritis or osteoporosis. Whether you have a torn ligament or have arthritis, knee pain can be debilitating and frustrating. Knee pain can make it difficult to walk or climb stairs, not to mention…
Back doing what I love after surgery
Experienced surgeons in Missoula, Montana Surgery is a big decision no matter what the injury is. With some acute injuries the decision is easier because surgery is the only option for an optimal recovery, for example rotator cuff repair, ACL reconstruction, or a complex bone fracture. Other joint pain may be chronic, which means that…
Knee and hip replacement surgery got Jim back doing the things he loves.
Meet Jim, a patient with Dr. Gary Willstein for over 10 years. Dr. Willstein has provided quality orthopedic care with a knee replacement and a hip replacement, and recently the other hip replaced, to keep this active 77 year old doing the things he enjoys. “Thank you Dr. Gary Willstein, for making it possible for…
Physical Therapy in Missoula
Eccentric Strengthening of the Posterior Chain Muscles The single-leg dead lift is one of our favorite exercises for beginning eccentric strengthening of the posterior chain muscles of the hip. Here are some tips to make sure you’re performing this correctly. make sure you keep the leg you’re standing on relatively straight, but do not lockout…
Partial Knee Replacement Surgery in Missoula
This x-ray of the knee shows degeneration in one compartment while the other compartment is normal. Partial knee replacement may be a good option for this patient. Traditionally, when patients develop arthritis of the knee that does not respond to conservative treatment, a total knee replacement was offered as the definitive treatment of choice. However,…
What are Steroid Injections?
What are Steroids? Corticosteroids are a class of medications that are related to cortisone. Cortisone is a naturally occurring corticosteroid hormone produced by your adrenal glands. What are the benefits of a steroid injection? The main benefits are to decrease pain and increase function at the injected joint. The aim is to reduce joint inflammation,…
Partial Knee Replacement may be an option for you
Traditionally, when patients develop arthritis of the knee that does not respond to conservative treatment, a total knee replacement was offered as the definitive treatment of choice. However, in nearly half of patients who come to an orthopedic clinic with knee pain, the arthritis is only located in a single part (compartment) of the knee….