INTEGRATED MUSCULOSKELETAL CENTER John A. Van Houten, M.D.

We, at Orthopaedic Surgery Associates, describe our practice as an "integrated musculoskeletal center". What does that mean? It means that we have tried to provide, within our practice, all of the specialties and facilities necessary for a complete range of orthopaedic care.

Here, at Orthopaedic Surgery Associates, not only do we have Fellowship training on a wide range of orthopaedic subspecialties, but within those subspecialties, we have divided up further areas of interest and we freely refer patients within the practice to the doctor with the most experience and their problems. Most orthopaedic groups do not do this. This is important because the physicians can get more experience with certain specialized procedures and also because many symptoms might come from several different causes. For example, hip pain may come from the back or from the hip. Lower leg pain may be from arthritis from spinal stenosis or from a nerve problem. This way, you will see the physician with the most experience and knowledge about your condition. Of course, we all have general experience in orthopaedics to take care of fractures and injuries and to order appropriate diagnostic testing.

Regarding diagnostic testing, we have x-ray (with special rare earth x-ray screens and high definition films specifically for bone work). We have MRI facilities within or adjacent to our offices. We will soon have an image intensifier ("fluoroscope") which allows us to do x-ray guidance in real time as we are doing procedures. We can also provide diagnostic testing for nerve conditions with nerve conduction/ EMG and very important to our patients, we have bone density testing equipment in both of our offices to assess the risk of osteoporosis.

We have excellent physical therapy and occupational therapy in both offices. Again, there is constant communication within the practice and the therapists are free to check with the physician about the patient's therapy, daily if necessary, and provide any suggestions they have. This greatly enhances the rehabilitation process.

Several of us have had special training in disability evaluation and independent medical examinations which are helpful in cases of insurance question.

You can be assured that patients under our care receive the best, most skillful training from whichever physician here is best qualified and for the few areas which we cannot cover, we will make any special arrangements necessary to continue care.