SVMC ORTHOPEDICS


Restoring Active Lifestyles

Don’t let pain or injury keep you on the sidelines of your own life.

If pain or injury is holding you back from living the life you want, SVMC Orthopedics can help. The team of board-certified providers is here to provide the individualized treatment and compassionate care you need to get back to leading the life you love. SVMC Orthopedics offers state of the art diagnostic and treatment services, including non-surgical options and same-day joint replacement. 

If you suffer from severe or chronic hip, knee, or ankle pain, total joint replacement may be the best solution. Your orthopedic surgeon will help you understand your options and how joint replacement surgery can help to not just relieve your pain, but get you back to leading a full and active life.

Whether you need a hip replacement or knee replacement, surgeries are performed at SVMC with a rehabilitation program developed in conjunction with our Sports and Therapy department. We offer both in- patient and out-patient therapy options. Some patients are able to return home from a joint replacement surgery on the same day. For patients requiring additional recovery time, the Centers for Living & Rehabilitation (CLR) located on our campus can provide additional extra nursing care and therapy before returning home to fully independent care.

Because getting back to living is the ultimate goal of spinal surgery, the reduced recovery time required by minimally invasive surgery makes it an ideal option for many. 

At SVMC, you’ll be treated by a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon extensively trained in performing minimally invasive spine procedures and creating customized treatment plans. In some cases, you’ll be up and about in a few hours and back to work in a matter of days or weeks, not months.

Injuries to the rotator cuff are not only painful, they can be life limiting. When possible, the fellowship-trained surgeons at SVMC will attempt to treat your injury through non-surgical means, which may include physical therapy, medication, or injections. If those efforts are unsuccessful, your physician may recommend surgery here at SVMC. Utilizing the latest in arthroscopic technology, your repair can be made with only a slight incision, reducing your recovery time and chance of infection.  For more complicated injuries, a more involved surgery or even joint replacement may be necessary.

Regardless of your procedure, your care will continue post-surgery with a comprehensive rehabilitation plan developed in conjunction with our Physical Therapy department.

In addition to being delicate and complex, your hands and wrists are essential to your daily life. At SVMC, we appreciate that an injury or problem can limit your ability to work, play, and generally enjoy life. From fractures and arthritis to deformities and carpal tunnel syndrome, our providers can care for you. They can create a custom treatment plan using the most advanced surgical techniques, devices, and rehabilitation programs to help you maximize function and minimize pain for the best results possible.

The average person experiences two bone fractures in their lifetime. But as common as they are, every fracture is unique. From complex and stress to oblique and greenstick, at SVMC we diagnose and treat fractures with the specific cause and needs of the patient in mind. On-site imaging technology allows us to quickly assess your need and move quickly to begin the mending process. Depending upon the nature and cause of your injury, we may develop a continuing care plan to reduce or eliminate the chance of future injury.

Whether you’re a competitive athlete or a weekend warrior, our board-certified, fellowship-trained sports medicine specialists can help relieve your pain and get you back in the game or back to your everyday routine.

Our first approach is always conservative, meaning you won’t endure unnecessary treatments or care for your injury. We use the latest techniques and methods to resolve your issue in a manner that’s appropriate for you and your lifestyle.

If your injury does require surgery, it can be performed here, close to home where you can rest and recover in comfort. As part of your care, we’ll develop a personalized recovery plan utilizing the talents and facilities of our on-site Physical Therapy department. Together, we’ll help you recover faster, improve your strength and performance, and reduce the potential for future re-injury.

SVMC Physical Therapy

SVMC Occupational Therapy

Arthritis Today www.arthritistoday.org

National Osteoporosis Foundation nof.org

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons orthoinfo.aaos.org

American Medical Society for Sports Medicine www.amssm.org

Yoga instructor Jane Jezouit had increasing pain in her hip to the point that she had difficulty teaching her yoga classes. In this video, she describes the care she received from SVMC Orthopedics and Dr. Michaela Schneiderbauer to get back to her active self.

Les Jorgensen's hip pain made it difficult for him to walk from his living room to his kitchen; never mind enjoy the activities he loves. After a hip replacement with Dr. Michaela Schneiderbauer, MD, of SVMC Orthopedics, he walks 18-holes of golf three times a week, pain free.

Celia Bahny and her family are very active. Unfortunately, Celia suffered a broken arm (in the same spot twice!) which slowed her down for a spell. Today, she is fully recovered with help from Dr. Matthew Nofziger of SVMC Orthopedics. In this video, Celia and her mother, Holly, discuss her care with Southwestern Vermont Medical Center and how we helped get her back to their active lifestyle.

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Avid hiker and guide Keld Alstrup relied on Dr. Matthew Nofziger and the expert team at SVMC Orthopedics to relieve his knee pain and restore his active lifestyle. Now he's back to "peak performance."

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Deborah Slaner Larkin talks about the care she received from Southwestern Vermont Medical Center Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and Dr. Suk Namkoong.

 

332 Dewey Street, Bennington, VT 05201
Phone: (802) 442-6314
Fax: (844) 526-1901

Hours:
Monday – Friday:  8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Directions: 
For directions to SVMC Orthopedics, click here.

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Dysphagia: What's Behind Your Swallowing Difficulties?
    Grace Weatherby
    / Categories: WELLNESS, 2024

    Dysphagia: What's Behind Your Swallowing Difficulties?

    Swallowing is a complex process that involves the coordinated action of at least 30 muscles and multiple nerves in the mouth, throat, and esophagus. When any part of this system is disrupted, it can lead to swallowing difficulties, also known as dysphagia.

    More prevalent in older adults, dysphagia can prove to be a minor inconvenience for some while for others it can lead to severe complications and put their health and quality of life at risk.

    Dysphagia can present a variety of symptoms, broadly categorized into two types: oropharyngeal and esophageal. The type of symptoms being experienced serve as clues to medical professionals about the potential cause of the condition.

    Here’s how the symptoms of oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia differ:

    Oropharyngeal Dysphagia:

    1. Difficulty starting to swallow: This includes trouble moving food from the mouth to the throat.
    2. Choking or coughing: Food or liquids might enter the airway instead of the esophagus, causing coughing or choking.
    3. Nasal regurgitation: Liquids or food coming back up through the nose.
    4. Gurgling voice: A wet-sounding voice after eating or drinking.
    5. Recurrent pneumonia: Due to aspiration of food or liquids into the lungs.

    Esophageal Dysphagia:

    1. Feeling of food stuck in the throat or chest: A sensation that food is lodged somewhere in the esophagus.
    2. Painful swallowing: Discomfort or pain when swallowing.
    3. Regurgitation: Bringing food back up without nausea.
    4. Heartburn: A burning sensation in the chest.
    5. Unexplained weight loss: Difficulty in swallowing may lead to a reduced intake of food, resulting in weight loss.

    With a clear understanding of the type of dysphagia you’re experiencing, your healthcare provider can begin to explore what’s specifically behind your condition.

    COMMON CAUSES OF DYSPHAGIA

    Oropharyngeal

    Aging

    Head and neck surgeries and injuries

    Dementia

    Stroke  

    Parkinson’s Disease

    Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

    Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

    Muscular Dystrophy

    Thyroid Enlargement: Often the result of an iodine deficiency or Grave’s Disease

    Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis: Inflammation of the throat and tonsils most often due to infection

    Oral Candidiasis (Thrush): Soreness in the mouth and throat resulting from a fungal infection in the mouth

    Esophageal

    Aging

    Esophageal Stricture: A narrowing of the esophagus, often the result of acid reflux of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

    Esophageal Rings and Webs: Thin layers of tissue that form in and partially block the esophagus. These can be congenital or develop later due to chronic acid exposure from GERD.

    Esophageal Tumors: Benign or malignant growths in the esophagus. Risk factors include smoking, heavy alcohol use, and family history.

    Diffuse Esophageal Spasm: Irregular spasm contractions of the esophagus brought on by damage to the nerves that coordinate the muscles of the esophagus

    Scleroderma: Hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues that restricts the esophagus, resulting from an autoimmune disease

    Eosinophilic Esophagitis: An allergic inflammatory condition often related to food allergies and environmental allergens

     

    Understanding the type of dysphagia you are experiencing and the underlying cause is crucial for effective treatment and management.

    Beyond assessing your symptoms, diagnosis often involves a clinical examination and imaging studies. Based on the findings, treatment may include:

    • Swallowing therapy: Exercises to strengthen the muscles involved in swallowing
    • Lifestyle changes: Modifying eating habits and using safe swallowing strategies
    • Dietary modifications: Changing the texture of foods and liquids to make swallowing easier and/or reducing acid intake.  
    • Medications: To manage underlying conditions like infections or inflammation.
    • Surgery: In cases where structural abnormalities need to be corrected.
    • Dilation: Stretching narrowed areas of the esophagus.

    If you or someone you know experiences persistent difficulty swallowing, contact your doctor. Addressing any issue early can significantly improve outcomes and help you return to living your life fully sooner.

     

    Kate O'Neill, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist at SVMC Outpatient Rehabilitation, part of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.

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