Whether you are climbing a mountain or skiing down one, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) takes each patient’s desire to move and enjoy life seriously. That’s why the healthcare system is committed to providing top quality and easily accessible orthopedic services right here in the High Country.
Stay on the mountain with AppOrtho
Thanks to Appalachian Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center, also known as AppOrtho, patients no longer need to travel off of the mountain for orthopedic care. With locations in Jefferson and Boone, patients can schedule same-day appointments Monday through Friday, and on Saturday in Boone. Referral is not required. Should surgery be recommended, AppOrtho is the only orthopedic provider that performs surgery locally at Watauga Medical Center.
The AppOrtho team understands that patients also prefer to stay local for their rehab. That’s why AppOrtho works closely with The Rehabilitation Center to provide convenient care for patients at all stages of treatment and recovery.
Surgical Services
Dr. Ben Parker, Dr. James Califf, and Dr. Steve Anderson
As the official ‘home team’ sports medicine provider for the High Country Soccer Association, Watauga High School and Appalachian State University Athletics, you can count on AppOrtho to take care of all of your shoulder, back, hip, knee and hand surgery needs. Although each surgeon is skilled in all aspects of general orthopedic surgery, they each have unique areas of clinical focus and specialized training.
Sports Medicine:
Dr. Benjamin Parker, as Director of Orthopedic Sports Medicine at AppOrtho, specializes in taking care of the surgical needs of pediatric and adult athletes. From minimally-invasive multi-ligament shoulder, elbow and knee surgery to shoulder replacement and reconstruction, Dr. Parker is committed to helping his patients get off the sidelines and back into the game as quickly and as safely as possible.
Anterior Hip Replacement:
As a board certified orthopedic surgeon with more than 15 years of experience, Dr. Steven Anderson specializes in primary and revision (redo) hip, knee and shoulder reconstruction. Dr. Anderson is the only orthopedist in the High Country who performs anterior hip replacement surgery at Watauga Medical Center. Anterior hip replacement surgery is popular among patients because of its minimally invasive front-of-the-hip approach. While not every patient is a candidate for this approach, those who are often enjoy less discomfort after surgery and a faster recovery and return to normal activities.
Spine surgery:
Dr. James Califf is a board certified orthopedic surgeon with more than 25 years of experience. He is the only orthopedist in the High Country who specializes in spinal disorders and performs spinal surgery at Watauga Medical Center. When it comes to the spine, Dr. Califf prefers to try every non-surgical treatment option before recommending surgery. Should surgery be required, Dr. Califf is trained in a variety of minimally-invasive spinal surgery techniques, most of which are performed in an outpatient setting. Thanks to these procedures, his patients can literally get ‘back’ to enjoying life.
A New Orthopedic Wing
Fortunately, most orthopedic procedures are performed today in the outpatient setting, meaning that patients can return home a few hours after surgery. However, inpatient procedures often require a brief stay at the hospital for recovery and rehab. To better care for these patients, ARHS plans to open an orthopedic wing at Watauga Medical Center this spring.
The new 10-bed orthopedic wing will function as a safe environment for patients to recover after inpatient surgery and to start the rehabilitation process.
The new wing, located on the third floor of Watauga Medical Center, will feature large well-appointed patient rooms, and a function and mobility focused rehabilitation gym with views overlooking the town of Boone. The wing will be staffed by a dedicated team of specialty trained nurses, physical and occupational therapists and medical providers from AppOrtho.
“The decision to add the new orthopedic wing was made to streamline our approach to patient-centered care,” said Eddy Maillot, Senior Director of Clinical Services at ARHS. “From the initial visit at AppOrtho, to surgery, recovery and rehab, every step in the process is built to be efficient, patient focused and readily available right here in the High Country.”
To schedule an appointment at AppOrtho call (828) 386-2663 or email apportho@apprhs.org.
Share this page
