Orthopedics

Specializing in treating conditions of your bones, joints, muscles and nerves, including pain and injury, the St. Peter’s Health orthopedic team is the most comprehensive and experienced orthopedic team in the region.

Our treatment includes care for all ages, and our goal is to get you back to doing what you love: whether that’s running a half marathon, hiking, mountain biking or simply walking your dog.

Meet our Care Team >>>

St. Peter’s Approach to Orthopedics

We take a team approach to treating your pain or injury, using the latest technologies and treatments. Our orthopedic care team provides general orthopedic surgery, as well as sub-specialties including

Joint replacements: hip, knee, shoulder
orthopedic spine surgery
sports medicine
hand, elbow and shoulder surgery
trauma medicine
interventional pain management
physical medicine and rehabilitation
orthopedic urgent care

Our team approach also includes advanced practice providers (APPs) – nurse practitioners and physician assistants – as well as nurses, certified medical assistants, orthopedic technicians and athletic trainers.

We also work closely with your primary care physician and any other specialists you may need – including rheumatology, neurology, pain management and physical therapy. Providing this team-oriented approach allows us to offer personalized, comprehensive, one-on-one care.

St. Peter's Health has been designated an Orthopedic Center of Excellence by Global Accrediting Agency DNV Healthcare. It is obtained by achieving advanced certification in at least three advanced orthopedic programs. For St. Peter's, those programs include advanced certification in hip and knee replacements, spine surgery and shoulder surgery.

WATCH: Dr. Kerry Hale discuss same-day joint replacement surgery

Same-Day Joint Replacement

At St. Peter’s, we offer a thoughtful and robust same-day hip and knee replacement program led by Dr. Kerry Hale and her team of Advanced Practice Providers, including Sharla Dosier, CNP and Lena Phelps, PA. With over 30 years of combined experience, the team performs hundreds of hip and knee replacement surgeries per year, with most patients going home the day of their surgery. Our same-day joint replacement program focuses on pre-surgical education and comprehensive follow-up care, helping you feel confident and prepared to get back home.

Conditions Treated

ACL Tear
Bone Fracture
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Frozen Shoulder
Hip Pain
Knee Pain
Meniscus Tear
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rotator Cuff Injury
Shoulder Instability
Shoulder Pain
Tendonitis
Trigger Finger
Inflammatory Arthritis
Painful Joint Replacement
Clubfoot
Hip Dysplasia
Pediatric Fractures
Sports Injuries

Quality Orthopedic Care at St. Peter’s

Specialty expertise

Our orthopedic surgeons provide services not widely found elsewhere in Montana, including revision surgery for hip and knee replacements and an anterior approach hip replacement. In addition, Dr. Kerry Hale is one of a handful of fellowship-trained pediatric orthopedic surgeons in the state. Orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Patrick Curry offers a wide range of treatments and procedures as do our upper extremity surgeons, Dr. Erik Bergquist and Dr. James Cardinal.

A broad range of care

As one of the region's largest orthopedics clinic, we treat everything from sudden injuries and chronic pain to sports-related conditions. We are fortunate to have Dr. Annie Knierim, fellowship-trained in orthopedic trauma medicine, to respond to injuries caused by serious accidents. For injuries that are less serious, but still emergent, Dr. Kelsey Hoffman cares for patients in our Orthopedic Urgent Care clinic. Our interventional pain management physician, Dr. Zachary Klinger, helps patients find lasting pain relief through precise, minimally invasive treatments that target the source of pain and support better daily living. And, for an active community like Helena, our sports medicine surgeons Dr. John Michelotti and Dr. Calvin Schlepp are a necessity. From collegiate standouts and professional athletes, to rec league warriors, they treat injuries of all varieties for all types of athletes, getting them back on the course, the field or the court.

Tailored non-surgical approaches and surgical approaches

Typically, our APPs will treat you first with non-surgical approaches, including oral medications, activity modifications, joint injections and/or a referral to occupational or physical therapy. Dr. Joshua Lider and Dr. Anita Lowe Taylor offer innovative treatment in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation--a medical specialty dedicated to improving physical function, mobility, and independence through comprehensive, non-surgical care. If you still don't find relief, our team will walk you through which orthopedic surgery options may best fit your situation.

Pre-surgical education

We are excited to serve you before, during and after your surgery. One of the most important ways we can help you prepare before surgery is by making sure you have the information you need to have the best outcome.

Quality initiatives

Our team closely tracks a variety of quality measures for orthopedic care to ensure our patients are receiving the best possible care. This is evidenced by our designation as an Orthopedic Center of Excellence by Global Accrediting Agency DNV Healthcare.