Our approach to orthopedic care 

Orthopedic care isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your diagnosis, overall health, activity level and recovery goals all help determine the treatment that’s right for you. At Sutter, orthopedic specialists work together to understand your needs and develop a personalized care plan, starting with nonsurgical treatment when appropriate. 

Getting you to the right care

Finding the right diagnosis is the first step toward effective treatment. At Sutter, your orthopedic care may begin with an advanced practice clinician (APC), such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant who specializes in musculoskeletal care.

These clinicians can evaluate your injury or symptoms, order and review imaging, recommend nonsurgical treatments when appropriate and connect you with the orthopedic specialist you need.

Deryk Jones, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist with Sutter, says APCs work closely with orthopedic surgeons and regularly evaluate musculoskeletal conditions.

“The musculoskeletal advanced practice clinicians see these conditions all the time and they work directly with the orthopedic surgeons, so you’re not losing out on time if you see them when you have an acute injury.” 

Personalized, team-based orthopedic care

Depending on your condition and treatment needs, your orthopedic care team may include:

• Nonsurgical orthopedic doctors
• Orthopedic surgeons
• Sports medicine specialists
• Pain management specialists
• Physical and sports rehabilitation therapists

Together, these specialists can help you understand your condition, manage pain, prepare for treatment and regain strength and mobility. 

Nonsurgical treatment when appropriate

Surgery is the right choice for some orthopedic and sports medicine conditions, but many injuries and conditions can be treated without it. When appropriate, your care team may recommend options such as bracing, physical therapy, medication or injections before considering surgery.

For other conditions, surgery may be the most appropriate treatment. Jones gives the example of advanced arthritis in a severely damaged joint. If nonsurgical treatments are unlikely to provide adequate pain relief or improve function, a patient may be referred to a joint preservation or replacement surgeon.

The goal isn’t to follow the same treatment path for every patient. It’s to identify the approach that makes the most sense for your condition, health, recovery goals and desired activity level 

Connected orthopedic care close to home

Orthopedic treatment often involves more than one appointment or specialist. Receiving care close to home can make it easier to attend appointments, participate in rehabilitation and stay connected with your care team throughout recovery.

As part of Sutter’s integrated healthcare system, orthopedic clinicians can also collaborate with specialists in other areas when your condition or overall health requires additional expertise.

Whether you want to return to competitive sports, get back to an active hobby or simply move through everyday life with less pain, your orthopedic team will work with you to develop a treatment plan based on your needs and goals.