Orthopedic Services

Walk-In Orthopedic Clinics – Now Open in Bay City, Flushing and Owosso

Memorial Healthcare’s Walk-In Orthopedic Clinics provide fast, expert care for unexpected injuries, no appointment needed. We offer same-day treatment for new injuries (less than one month old), including sports-related injuries, swollen joints (effusions), simple fractures, and muscle, tendon, ligament, or joint strains.

Skip the Emergency Department unless you have a dislocation, open fracture, or infection. Appointments aren’t required unless your insurance needs a referral, our front desk team can help. Please bring your insurance information; co-pays are due at the time of service.

For chronic injuries (lasting more than one month) or referral-based care, call your respected office to schedule an appointment.

Convenient orthopedic care – now available in Bay City, Flushing and Owosso. 

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.

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
• 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, ABFAS: Dr. Cocks is board-certified in foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot and ankle 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.
• Christopher Hannasch, DO: Dr. Hannasch earned his medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed a dual residency in Neuromusculoskeletal and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at MSU. He went on to complete fellowships in Spine Intervention and Regenerative Medicine at Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine in Rochester, and in Pain Management and Interventional Spine at Advanced Pain Solutions in Ionia.
• Ramy Kurdi, DO: Dr. Kurdi received his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania, and completed his residency through Michigan State University at McLaren-Oakland Hospital in Pontiac. He is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and is a proud active member of the NFL Players Association Mackey-White Health and Safety Committee.
• Richard Roberts, MD: Dr. Roberts earned his medical degree from Wayne State University and completed his residency in orthopedics at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak.Dr. Roberts is Fellowship trained in spine surgery.
• 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.
• 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.
• Amanda Methner PA-C: Amanda 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.
• 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

• Meet Ashraf Elbanna, MD, Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Surgeon
• Hear Dr. Elbanna discuss hip surgery available at Memorial Healthcare
• Dr. Elbanna discusses shoulder conditions and treatment options on ABC12 Wellness Wednesday
• Meet Ramy Kurdi, DO, Orthopedic Surgeon
• Dr. Ramy Kurdi Explains Memorial Healthcare’s Personal Care Experience
• An Overview of Joint Replacement Surgery with Dr. Ramy Kurdi and Dr. Ashraf Elbanna
• Hear Dr. Kurdi Explain MAKO Robotic Joint Replacement Surgery
• Dr. Kurdi talks about knee and hip replacement surgery
• Dr. Kurdi discuss advanced services including hip and knee replacements and our new Bay City location on WNEM TV5
• Dr. Kurdi talks about bone and joint health on ABC12 Wellness Wednesday
• Dr. Kurdi talks about hip pain on ABC12 Wellness Wednesday
• Meet Ogo Azuh, MD, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
• Meet Rory Cocks, DPM, ABFAS, Podiatry
• Meet Michael Schmidt, DO, FAAOS, FAOAO, Orthopedic Surgeon
• Meet Gary Branch, DO, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Articles

• Key Nutrients and Your Health: Bone and Spine Health

Podcasts

• Sports Medicine with Dr. Elbanna
• Sports Injury Clinic with Dr. Elbanna
• General Orthopedics and Joint Replacement with Dr. Ramy Kurdi
• Urgent vs. Non-Urgent Orthopedic Care with Dr. Ramy Kurdi

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 four convenient locations:

• Memorial Healthcare Center for Orthopedics (Bay City)
• Memorial Healthcare Center for Orthopedics (Flushing)
• Memorial Healthcare Center for Orthopedics (Owosso) 
• Memorial Healthcare Center for Orthopedics (St. Johns, Sturgis Street)
• Memorial Healthcare Center for Orthopedics (St. Johns, Waterford Parkway)

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.

What Is Orthopedic Spine Care?