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Kootenai Health
Bone & Joint
Orthopedic care for injuries, joint pain and movement concerns, including advanced joint replacement, sports medicine, trauma care and recovery.

Brain & Spine
Neurologists, neurosurgeons and rehabilitation specialists with leading technology and treatment options for a wide range of brain, spine and nerve conditions.

Cancer Care
Nationally accredited cancer care with specialists working together on advanced treatment options, clinical trials and support through every step.
Digestive Health
Digestive specialists who diagnose and treat everything from routine screenings and ongoing symptoms to advanced procedures, IBD and liver disease.

Heart, Vascular & Lung
Nationally recognized specialists for heart, blood vessel and lung conditions, from testing and ongoing treatment to advanced procedures and surgery.

Women & Children
Connected care for women, babies and children, from everyday health needs and pregnancy to specialized hospital care when more support is needed.
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Kootenai Health in the Community
Rooted in community. Driven by care for all.
From sponsoring local events like Ironman to ensuring every neighbor has access to care, we're here for our community—because caring for our neighbors is who we are.
Community Involvement
Advanced orthopedics for the way North Idaho lives.
Advanced orthopedics for the way North Idaho lives.

Orthopedics

Advanced orthopedics for the way North Idaho lives.

Orthopedics

Helping you stay active, independent and moving forward.

Whether it happened at the skate park, a mountain trail or rolling out of bed—or discomfort you’ve felt for years—orthopedic pain changes how you carry through your day. The way you work. Move. How you show up for your family and the activities you love doing.

You don't have to leave North Idaho to find answers. At Kootenai Health Orthopedics,  we care for patients of all ages and conditions—from broken bones and sports injuries to arthritis, joint instability and joint replacement. Our specialists learn where you’re at, what’s causing symptoms and discuss both surgical and non-surgical treatment options. Beginning with your first appointment, treatment, rehabilitation and follow-up are coordinated through one orthopedic team that understands how you live because they live here, too.

Fellowship-Trained Specialists

Expertise for what you need
Whatever you're experiencing, we've got the right person for it, from advanced diagnostics, minimally invasive procedures, and orthopedic surgery.

Advanced Orthopedic treatment

Expert care in our community
From your first imaging appointment to surgery and follow-up—get the care you need locally in North Idaho.

Healthgrades Outpatient Ortho Award

Recognized for orthopedic excellence
National recognition for delivering high-quality orthopedic care and strong patient outcomes.
“You're never going to get pushed into a surgery or a diagnosis.”
— Dr. Bowen, Orthopedics

From First Visit to Recovery

Most patients begin with an appointment at Kootenai Clinic Orthopedics. Your specialist will evaluate your symptoms, review imaging, discuss treatment options and help create a plan based on your goals.

Your visit may include:

  • An orthopedic evaluation and physical exam
  • X-rays, if needed
  • Bracing or splinting
  • Injections
  • Therapy recommendations
  • Surgical consultation, if appropriate

If surgery or hospital-based treatment is needed, Kootenai Health orthopedic surgeons provide treatment and coordinate recovery planning.

Surgery isn't always the answer.

The first step is understanding what's causing the problem and how it's affecting your life. Then we'll talk through your options together. Often we are able to take a conservative approach with treatment options such as physical therapy, activity modification, bracing, medications or injections.

If surgery becomes the recommended choice, we'll talk through the procedure, recovery process and rehabilitation plan. We believe in shared decision-making, so you'll understand your options, know what to expect and have a voice in deciding what's right for you.

Our Services

Hand & Wrist Conditions
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Cubital tunnel syndrome
  • De Quervain's tenosynovitis
  • Trigger finger
  • Dupuytren's contracture
  • TFCC tears
  • Wrist sprains
  • Distal radius fractures
  • Scaphoid fractures and nonunions
  • Tendon and nerve lacerations
  • Ganglion cysts
  • Thumb and finger arthritis
  • Mallet finger and Boutonnière deformities

→ Explore hand & wrist services

Shoulder & Upper Body Conditions
  • Rotator cuff tendinopathy and tears
  • Shoulder impingement
  • Bursitis
  • Labral and SLAP tears
  • Instability and dislocations
  • AC joint arthritis
  • Clavicle and proximal humerus fractures
  • Biceps tendon pathology
  • Scapular dyskinesis
  • Elbow tendonitis, including tennis elbow and golfer's elbow

→ Explore shoulder, hip, & knee services

Hip & Knee Conditions
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
  • Hip bursitis
  • Avascular necrosis
  • Meniscus tears
  • ACL, MCL, PCL and LCL injuries
  • Patellar instability and chondromalacia
  • IT band syndrome
  • Tendinopathies
  • Stress fractures
  • Post-traumatic deformities

→ Explore shoulder, hip, & knee services

Foot & Ankle Conditions
  • Achilles tendinopathy and rupture
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Ankle sprains and instability
  • Peroneal tendon disorders
  • Bunions and hammertoes
  • Morton's neuroma
  • Flatfoot and cavus deformities
  • Arthritis
  • Stress fractures
  • Tibialis posterior dysfunction
  • Lisfranc injuries

→ Explore foot & ankle services

Diagnostics & Testing
  • Weight-bearing and targeted X-rays
  • Ultrasound for tendon and soft tissue assessment
  • Ultrasound-guided injections
  • MRI for cartilage, labrum, meniscus, ligament and occult fracture evaluation
  • CT imaging for complex fractures and 3D surgical planning
  • Bone density testing for fragility fractures when indicated
  • Nerve conduction studies and EMG for compressive nerve conditions
  • Functional outcome tracking including PROMIS and HOOS/KOOS
Treatments, Procedures & Recovery

Treatment plans are built around your condition, symptoms, activity goals and long-term function, with both non-surgical and surgical options available. 

Non-Surgical Treatment

  • Activity modification
  • Structured physical therapy
  • Home exercise programs
  • Bracing and splinting
  • Anti-inflammatory and pain-relief medications
  • Viscosupplementation for knee osteoarthritis
  • Corticosteroid injections

Orthopedic Procedures & Surgery

  • Arthroscopy of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle
  • Rotator cuff and labral repair of the shoulder 
  • Stabilization procedures
  • Fracture fixation
  • Ligament reconstruction, including ACL reconstruction
  • Tendon repair and transfer
  • Bunion and forefoot correction
  • Total hip, knee, shoulder, and ankle replacement surgery

Recovery & Rehabilitation Support

  • Pre-operative joint replacement classes
  • Total Joint Nurse Navigator
  • Physical and occupational therapy coordination
  • Certified hand therapy
  • Home exercise programs
  • Return-to-work planning
  • Return-to-activity guidance
  • Post-operative education and follow-up care

Recovery is a partnership. Consistent participation in therapy, home exercises, nutrition, sleep and risk-reduction efforts such as smoking cessation can influence recovery and long-term outcomes. 

WHEN TO TALK TO AN ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALIST

It may be time to call if you're dealing with:
  • severe pain limiting daily activity or enjoyment of life
  • instability or repeated injuries
  • decreasing range of motion
  • increasing joint deformity
  • weakness or loss of function
  • injuries that do not improve with conservative treatment
  • failure of injections, medications or therapy to improve symptoms
  • difficulty returning to work, sports or physical activity
Don’t Guess. Ask.
Some problems get better with time. Others need attention. If you're not sure which is which, give us a call.
(208) 625-6700

Specialized Orthopedic Programs

Total Joint Program
Considering hip, knee, shoulder or ankle replacement? Our Total Joint Program helps you prepare for surgery, recovery and a safe return home.
Learn More
Hand Surgery
From carpal tunnel and trigger finger to complex fractures and tendon repairs, our hand surgery specialists treat the full range of hand and wrist conditions affecting grip, sensation and daily function.
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Kootenai Health Sports
Whether it's a torn ligament, a stress fracture or an ongoing injury, we evaluate and treat the full range of sports and acute orthopedic injuries.
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Rehabilitation & Therapy
Recovery is a process. Our rehabilitation team works closely with orthopedic specialists to help patients build strength, restore function and keep moving forward.
Learn More

Sue’s Story

When Sue celebrated her 60th birthday running Bloomsday, at the end of the race she could barely walk. That’s when she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. After 3 years of treatment, and increased pain, her internist recommended surgery.  But where? If it was for her, or a family member: Kootenai Health. 

“The idea of it was frightening,” Sue confessed. “I understand all of the anxiety, and all of that. I was there. I was that person.” She said her recovery after surgery was "unbelievable.” Today, Sue enjoys her favorite outdoor activities pain free. 

“You have a chance to get your mobility and life back. So I always tell people, ‘Why would you wait to do that?”
— Sue, Hip Replacement Patient

Take the next step.

Let's Figure It Out Together

Whether it's an injury, ongoing pain or a question about surgery, we'll help you understand your options. Seeking a second opinion? We welcome those conversations too.

Refer a Patient

Connect your patient with orthopedic specialists for evaluation, treatment planning, surgical consultation and coordinated follow-up care.