Mark Channer, MD

Dr. Mark Channer is a board certified, fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in total hip & knee replacement surgery. He attended the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed an Orthopedic Surgery Residency in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He then completed a one year Fellowship in Total Joint Replacement with Dr. Merrill Ritter in Mooresville, Indiana. He moved to Montana in 2001 and joined Missoula Bone & Joint.  He and his wife, Nanette, have raised two girls in Frenchtown; Sydney is a Vascular Ultrasound Technician and Olly is a Registered Cardiac Nurse.

Dr. Channer specializes in Outpatient Joint Replacement and utilizes muscle sparing surgical approaches and techniques designed to facilitate a quick, early recovery with less pain and less need for narcotic medication. 

For Total Hip Replacement, he uses the Anterior Approach on a regular operating room table (no traction table) and takes approximately 45 minutes. In the last 8 years, he has performed close to 2000 Anterior Approach Hip Replacements, with 3 deep infections and 3 dislocations. 

For Total Knee Replacement, he uses a Subvastus Approach (no muscle or quadriceps tendon are cut), no tourniquet applied and Caliper-verified Kinematic Alignment Technique. Kinematic Alignment is a customized approach to the individual patient which restores the native joint line, allowing for an easier post-op recovery and better outcomes compared with the traditional Mechanical Alignment Techniques.

For both Total Hip & Total Knee surgeries, patients typically go home the same day and use a walker any where from 2 days to 2 weeks. Most patients can drive and resume sedentary work after 2 weeks. It takes 6 weeks to recover from surgery, and as muscle strength improves normal activities including hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing and horseback riding can be resumed. 

Dr. Channer's father was a General Surgeon, trained at the University of Iowa, then decided to work in West Africa at a missionary hospital in the bush country. Dr. Channer started working at the hospital and observing surgery when he was 12 years old. He was born and raised in Africa until he was 14, then the family returned to the US.

Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin, 1986-1990

Internship: General Surgery, St. Joseph Hospital, Denver, Colorado, 1990-1991

Research: Total Joint Biomechanics Lab, Duke University, North Carolina, 1993-1995

Residency: Orthopedic Residency, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1996-2000

Fellowship: Total Joint Replacement, Mooresville, Indiana with Dr. Merrill Ritter, 2000-2001

Board Certified: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons

State Licensed: Indiana, Montana

Joined Practice: 2001

Professional Memberships:

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• Montana Medical Association

DR. CHANNER’S TEAM

Autumn is the dedicated orthopedic assistant for Dr. Channer’s patients. Autumn works closely with Dr. Channer to make sure that each patient’s needs are met. If you have questions or concerns you can phone Autumn directly at (406)829-5573.

Alex Ramsey is a Physician Assistant, PA-C, who works closely with Dr. Channer in both surgery and the clinic. Alex also evaluates and treats patients who come to our Orthopedic Urgent Care.

PATIENT EDUCATION PRINTABLE HANDOUTS:

Please click on the links below to access Dr. Channer’s patient education handouts

Osteoarthritis Knee Exercise Program – home exercise program

Osteoarthritis Hip Exercise Program – home exercise program

Total Knee Joint Replacement Surgery – what a patient needs to know to prepare

Total Hip Joint Replacement Surgery – what a patient needs to know to prepare

The Anterior Approach for Total Hip Replacement

IN OUR COMMUNITY

Hobbies/Personal Interests: Elk hunting, fly fishing, rafting, riding cutting horses, reading biographies, packing, saddle maker, and family activities.