Orthopedic Services

Whether you need clinical orthopedic care or surgery, Rainy Lake Medical Center provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art, orthopedic services to the community and the Borderland. We also offer total knee replacement surgery, which makes it easier for our patients to receive care and support throughout the entire process, right here at home and not down the road.

As a patient in our orthopedic department, you’ll have access to orthopedic medical history and physicals, high-tech imaging, physical therapy, pre-op consultation, pre-procedure education, orthopedic surgery/procedures, arthroscopy, and post- procedure therapies and follow up.

Orthopedic procedures are performed in the Rainy Lake Surgery Center by our highly skilled and experienced, board-certified orthopedic surgeons—Dr. Joel Zamzow, Dr. Peter Goldschmidt, and Dr. Joshua Rother—along with our caring, compassionate support staff.

In the clinic, orthopedic concerns are handled by Rio Silvernail, Orthopedic PA. She is a specialist who  sees and treats patients for conditions including hip or knee pain, sprains, fractures, dislocations, and joint injections.

Joel A. Zamzow, M.D.

Joel A. Zamzow, M.D., board-certified orthopedic surgeon, received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He performed his transitional internship at Blodgett Memorial Medical Center, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and he completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Grand Rapids Orthopedic Surgery in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His main practice is at Orthopaedic Associates In Duluth and he also provides orthopedic care to patients of all ages at Rainy Lake Medical Center, International Falls. Dr. Zamzow specializes in total knee replacement and arthroscopy.

Peter G. Goldschmidt, M.D.

Peter G. Goldschmidt, M.D., board-certified orthopedic surgeon, received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota – Duluth and the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. He performed his orthopedic surgery residency at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, and he completed his hand surgery fellowship at the Hand Center of Western New York, Buffalo, New York. His main practice is at Orthopaedic Associates In Duluth and he also provides orthopedic care to patients of all ages at Rainy Lake Medical Center, International Falls.

Joshua J. Rother, M.D.

Joshua J. Rother, M.D., board-certified orthopedic surgeon, received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. He performed his general surgery internship at Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, and his orthopedic surgery residency at Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri. His main practice is at Orthopaedic Associates In Duluth and he also provides orthopedic care to patients of all ages at Rainy Lake Medical Center, International Falls.

Total knee replacement

Knee replacement is a cornerstone in our state-of-the-art orthopedic program. Your post-surgery care following knee replacement also involves local rehabilitation and follow-up exercises, pain management, return-to-activity tracking, and recovery timeline and goals.

Common causes of knee pain can include wear and tear from years of constant use (osteoarthritis), chronic illness (inflammatory arthritis), or an improperly healed injury (post-traumatic arthritis). Benefits of knee replacement include stopping or reducing joint pain, increasing leg strength and mobility, allowing years of easier movement, and improving your quality of life for tasks and activities.

Rainy Lake Medical Center also offers a Swing Bed program to our orthopedic patients. Swing Bed means your healthcare team can change, or “swing” your level of care from acute, to skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or other skilled services as needed. Swing Bed provides the appropriate level of care while maximizing your health plan benefits.

When your orthopedic procedures are performed at RLMC, you are closer to family and friends for support and you don’t have to drive hundreds of miles from home, which means no additional expenses for lodging and meals. Your orthopedic care and treatment can be completed all in one place—here.

Orthopedic procedures:

Knee replacement
Rotator cuff repair
Carpal tunnel repair
Hammer toe repair
Tennis elbow

Ganglion cyst removal
Pin and screw removal
Bunionectomy
Shoulder and knee arthroscopy

Call the Rainy Lake Clinic at (218) 283-5503  for a consultation with our orthopedic specialists. No referral is needed.