“Hands. Wrists. Elbows,” said Dr. Michael J. Forseth of Summit Orthopedics. “In the grand scheme of things, I admit that my areas of focus aren’t quite as essential to life as … say, the heart, or the brain.
“But then I ask you, what is life? One thing’s for certain: it’s a lot more than vital signs. It’s providing for your family. It’s raising your children. It’s competing in sports. It’s fishing, canoeing, gardening, camping, and the million other things you need hands for.
“That’s something I remind the students I teach to never lose sight of. Behind every hand, wrist and elbow is a living, breathing person who just wants to get back to doing what they love. In that sense, orthopedics is only a means to an end. We restore hope!
“I got my introduction to orthopedic medicine the same way as many of my peers: by being on the receiving end of sports injuries. I looked up to the surgeons who treated me so well during my childhood. That, plus encouragement from a couple of my parents’ friends, who were also orthopedists, left me with zero doubt that I chose the right residency after med school.
“If you removed the human element altogether, then I would still appreciate my specialty from a purely intellectual standpoint. I may be a man of science, but I can’t describe the intricate interplay between nerve, ligament, tendon and bone as anything less than miraculous.
“Fortunately, I study a fascinating field of medicine that just so happens to put me in touch with people from all walks of life. We treat babies and small children with traumatic congenital abnormalities. We treat high school and college athletes, including more than a few hockey players, football players, and gymnasts with significant upper extremity injuries. (Telling mom and dad that their kid’s sports career isn’t over? One of the best feelings in the world.) And of course we help plenty of seniors who are eager not just to maintain their independence, but to fully enjoy their retirements.
“I’m grateful for Summit Orthopedics’ philanthropic efforts, including One World Surgery which provides free, life-changing primary and surgical care in Honduras and the Dominican Republic. The time I spent volunteering in Central America proved to be nothing short of enlightening. And though I pray I never have to repeat something like it again, I’m glad to have been of service during our mission to Port-au-Prince immediately following the earthquake of 2010.
“Suffice to say I was also glad to return to my home clinic afterward. And it’s not just Summit Orthopedics’ state-of-the-art facilities and technology that I missed most during my time in Haiti. I missed our great people: the physicians, surgeons, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified athletic trainers and therapists who make expert, compassionate orthopedic care accessible to everyone at twenty-five clinics throughout the Twin Cities, greater Minnesota and Western Wisconsin areas. If you were to come to us with an elbow fracture, then you may interact with as many as fifty different people by the time you’ve recovered. I’m confident each and every one of them would have your best interests at heart.
“We truly are a big family here!”
From evaluation and diagnosis to prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, that family is standing by to get you back to your healthy and active lifestyle in the wake of any orthopedic injury. Call (651) 504-8461 to schedule care at Summit Orthopedics’ 11995 Singletree Lane, Suite 325, Eden Prairie location – or, alternatively, to disclose that you’re on your way for urgent care.
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