Grundy County Memorial Hospital | Live Well | Winter 2019

Inside WI NT ER 2019 3 M ake your New Year’s resolutions stick 5 W ound Clinic can help heal chronic wounds Our orthopedic specialists are here for you Is a painful hip or knee keeping you from moving freely? Is ongoing back pain slowing you down? Have you suffered a shoulder injury from sports or other activity? These are all health prob- lems that might send you to an orthopedic surgeon. At Grundy County Memorial Hospital, Dr. Robert Bartelt is one of two orthopedic sur- geons who treats people— from young athletes with injuries to older adults with arthritis pain. “When I see a patient for the first time, I begin by learning whether the ache or pain was sudden or came on over time. I want to understand how the pain affects everyday activities,” Dr. Bartelt says. An examination, x-rays or other imaging tests may be necessary before Dr. Bartelt recommends a treatment plan. “I like to consider a conservative approach, including medications, injections and physical therapy, to see how recovery is progressing,” Dr. Bartelt says. He works closely with the hospital’s therapy team to determine if patients are finding success with therapy. Procedures available Two orthopedic surgeons, Dr. Bartelt and Dr. Douglas Cooper, perform a variety of surgeries at GCMH, which of- fers a low surgical infection rate and nationally ranked patient care. ●   ● Arthroscopy. This proce- dure uses special cameras and equipment to visualize, diagnose and treat prob- lems inside a joint, com- monly a knee. ●   ● Carpal tunnel repair. ●   ● Joint replacement. A damaged knee, hip or other joint is replaced with an artificial one. A total joint replacement usually includes a hospital stay. ●   ● Rotator cuff repair. Dr. Bartelt says his Grundy County patients are apprecia- tive of convenient access to orthopedic care. For appoint- ment scheduling or other questions, contact GCMH at 319-824-5081 . A visit with an orthopedic specialist does not require a referral. Lacy Tripp, a nurse at GCMH and a busy mom of three, found relief from shoulder pain with shoulder repair. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robert Bartelt performed the surgery at Grundy County Memorial Hospital, where he sees patients in the Specialty Clinic and performs a variety of surgical procedures. Oh my aching __________________ ( fill in the blank ) “My satisfaction comes from seeing people recover fully and resume the lifestyle that’s important to them.” —Dr. Robert Bartelt