Orthopedics in MI | Memorial Healthcare

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At Memorial Healthcare Center for Orthopedics, we combined the specialties of orthopedics, including spine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and podiatry, offering our patients one convenient location for all orthopedic needs.

Joint pain, inflammation, and swelling can make it difficult to go about one’s daily life. With the Center for Orthopedics at Memorial Healthcare in Owosso, Michigan, patients can get compassionate care with a wide range of surgical and nonsurgical treatment options. Memorial Healthcare treats patients in throughout the mid-Michigan region.

What Is Orthopedics?

Orthopedics is the branch of medicine that treats the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Orthopedic surgeons treat musculoskeletal injuries that can cause chronic pain and inhibit range of motion.

The orthopedic services at Memorial Healthcare are supported by the latest technology in diagnostic imaging, including both MRI and CT scans. Both traditional and minimally invasive surgical treatments are available. The advanced credentials of the orthopedics team allow them to perform some of the most sophisticated medical procedures in their field. Patients can also receive treatment for the following spine, back, and neck conditions:

Degenerative disc disease
Fractures
Herniated disc
Radiculopathy
Low back pain
Myelopathy
Neck pain
Sciatica
Scoliosis
Spinal cord injury
Spondylolysis
Spondylolisthesis
Spinal stenosis
Tumors

Memorial Healthcare takes advantage of the latest surgical techniques to help patients enjoy a shorter and easier recovery period. Surgical treatment options include:

MAKO robotic hip and knee joint replacement (partial and total)
MAKO direct anterior approach (minimally invasive) total hip reconstruction
Arthroscopy for shoulders and knees
Reverse and total shoulder reconstruction
Orthopedic trauma
Bone, joint, and ligament repair
Hand, foot, wrist, and ankle services and surgery
Orthopedic trauma
Reconstructive ACL repair
Sacroiliac fusion
Sports injuries

The orthopedics team also offers nonsurgical treatment options for managing athletic injuries and repetitive stress injuries.

Your Orthopedics Team

With extensive knowledge and expertise, the orthopedic surgeons, physiatrists, and physician assistants at Memorial Healthcare bring a level of service rivaling providers in major urban centers. Patients may be seen by one of the following providers:

Ogochukwu Azuh, MD: Dr. Azuh is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation. A graduate of Wayne State University, Dr. Azuh completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Tufts Medical Center in Boston.
Gary Branch, DO: Dr. Branch is board-certified in both physical medicine and rehabilitation, as well as electrodiagnostic medicine. He completed medical school and residency at Michigan State University. Dr. Branch runs one of just seven electrodiagnostic labs in MI that is accredited by American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine.
Rory Cocks, DPM: Dr. Cocks is board eligible in podiatric medicine and surgery. A graduate of Kent State University, Dr. Cocks completed his residency at Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital in Warren, MI, and also completed microsurgery course work at the Mayo Clinic.
Ashraf Elbanna, MD: Dr. Elbanna chairs the surgery department at Memorial Healthcare. He attended medical school at Wayne State University and completed a fellowship in sports medicine at Cleveland Clinic after finishing his residency in Detroit. Dr. Elbanna has worked with national sports teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Indians.
Ramy Kurdi, DO: Dr. Kurdi received his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania, and completed his residency was completed through Michigan State University at McLaren-Oakland Hospital in Pontiac. He is a proud active member of the NFL Players Association Mackey-White Health and Safety Committee.
Joseph E. Palazeti, DO: Dr. Palazeti is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and has been practicing for more than 20 years. He attended Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital.
Michael Schmidt, DO, FAAOS, FAOAO: Dr. Schmidt attended College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in California and completed his residency at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital. He is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Brett Walker, DO: Dr. Walker attended medical school at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency at McLaren Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, MI, and obtained his Fellowship in Spine Surgery from the University of Washington.
Derrick Jauss, PA-C: Derrick is one of the accredited physician assistants at Memorial Healthcare Center for Orthopedics. He holds a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Central Michigan University.
Tarah Rakoski, PA-C: Tarah is one of the accredited physician assistants at Memorial Healthcare Center for Orthopedics. She holds a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Central Michigan University.
Michael Smith, PA-C: Michael is an accredited physician assistant at Memorial Healthcare Center for Orthopedics. He graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy.

The providers at Memorial Healthcare Center for Orthopedics accept many different insurance plans to serve as many community members as possible.

Patient Resources

Memorial Healthcare offers a library of online videos and articles to help patients get to know their providers and learn more about the field of orthopedics. Resources include:

Videos

Articles

Podcasts

Choose Memorial Healthcare For Expert Orthopedic Care

With nonsurgical therapies as well as the latest surgical technology, the orthopedics team at Memorial Healthcare can help patients get back to doing the things they love. Patients throughout Greater Shiawassee County and the surrounding Mid-Michigan area can access orthopedic services at two convenient locations:

Memorial Healthcare Center for Orthopedics (NOW Building, located on the hospital’s main campus)
Memorial Healthcare Center for Orthopedics: St. Johns (Sturgis Street)
Memorial Healthcare Center for Orthopedics: St. Johns (Waterford Parkway)

What Does an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon Do?

Orthopedic spine surgeons are physicians dedicated to diagnosing and treating spinal disorders, healing spinal injuries, and preserving pain-free function through conservative treatment and surgical interventions. While orthopedic physicians focus on the musculoskeletal system as a whole, orthopedic spine specialists and surgeons treat a variety of conditions, such as scoliosis, degenerative disc disorders, sciatica, and traumatic injuries like whiplash.

What Is Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation?

Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as physiatry or rehabilitation medicine, also focuses on the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons, as well as the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Physiatrists seek to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with physical impairments or disabilities that affect these parts of the body. Unlike other medical specialties that focus on a specific cure, physical medicine and rehabilitation aim to maximize a patient’s independence so they can carry out all the activities of daily living.

Physiatrists excel at designing treatment plans that are comprehensive and patient-centered. They treat patients of all ages, from infants to octogenarians.

What is Podiatry?

When treating patients, this system is also known as the lower extremity. Podiatric physicians are uniquely qualified among medical professionals to treat the lower extremity based on their education, training, and expertise.

A DPM is a specialist in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of lower extremity disorders, diseases, and injuries. A podiatric physician works independently, utilizes x-rays and laboratory tests for diagnostic purposes, prescribes medications, orders physical therapy, sets fractures, and performs surgery. As part of a healthcare team, the DPM works closely with other health professionals to treat and control disease.