Joint pain has a way of changing your life one activity at a time. You skip the hike, avoid the stairs, lose sleep—and somewhere along the way, stop noticing how much strength or movement you’ve already lost. It can happen from a sudden injury or gradually through years of wear, repetition or inflammation. That's what’s tricky with shoulder, hip, and knee problems: people adapt. Discomfort becomes the new normal.
Kootenai Health's orthopedic specialists track down what's causing your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan that fits your goals. Whether that means therapy, injections, advanced procedures, or surgery, they get you back to the activities that make life in North Idaho your own.
People often seek care when pain, stiffness, instability, or loss of function starts interfering with daily activities, exercise, work, or recreation. Some symptoms appear suddenly after an injury. Others develop gradually over time, making it easy to adapt around pain without realizing how much strength, motion, or function has been lost.
Evaluation begins with a detailed medical history, physical examination, and discussion of symptoms, activity limitations, and treatment goals.
Treatment plans are designed around your symptoms, activity goals, and long-term function. Together, we'll explore treatment options and recovery plans that fit your needs, with conservative care considered whenever appropriate before surgery.
Non-Surgical Care
Surgical Procedures
Harriett Richens spent years adapting to hip pain until even walking became difficult. After hip replacement surgery with Dr. Joseph Bowen and a structured recovery plan, she was back on her feet and soon returned to work. Today, she's looking forward to spending more time doing what she loves most—working in her garden.
