Dr. Wetter sees patients at the Coon Rapids, Blaine, Plymouth, and Brooklyn Park locations. Click here for directions.

Hospitals: Mercy Hospital and Maple Grove Hospital

Surgery Centers: Blaine Surgery Center, Plymouth Surgery Center, Maple Grove Surgery Center, Allina Surgery Center – Brooklyn Park, and The Orthopedic Institute

Dr. Wetter most often treats conditions of the knees, hips, hands, and wrists. The most common knee procedures are knee arthroscopy, meniscus repair, ACL reconstruction, partial knee replacement, and total knee replacements. Commonly performed hip surgeries include hip fractures and direct anterior hip replacements. Hand and wrist surgeries include carpal tunnel release, trigger finger release, and fracture repair. His approach is a combination of both conservative and surgical treatments, which varies depending on each individual patient.

The EXCEL Orthopedic Surgery and Recovery program is available to patients who generally healthy but have an orthopedic condition that requires surgery that is not typically done as an outpatient. The surgery is done in the Blaine Surgery Center or Plymouth Surgery Center on the third floor of the Blaine or Plymouth Clinics of Twin Cities Orthopedics. Post operatively patients are transported to a specially designed medical apartment on site, where there is nursing and medical staff available 24 hrs/day and 7 days a week.  Because the patient is never admitted to the hospital there is a substantial cost savings and a lower risk of hospital acquired infections. This option is particularly attractive for patients who are paying their own bills, employers who are self-insured, worker’s compensation and patients travelling to the U.S. for their medical care because the costs are less than half of what they are in the hospital.

Traditional hip replacement requires cutting muscle or tendons to access the hip joint.  Damage to these structures can prolong the initial healing and recovery after surgery and increase the chances of hip joint dislocation.  Direct anterior hip replacement can be done without cutting any muscle or tendons which allows for a quicker recovery and lower chance of dislocation.  Direct anterior hip replacement also allows for x-rays to easily be done during the surgery in real time which ensures correct alignment of the hip implants.  Dr. Wetter has done nearly 400 direct anterior hip replacements with excellent results.

If you are a new patient, please arrive to your appointment early in order to complete the registration process. In addition, please bring the following:

• Driver’s License or State ID
• Referral (if required by insurer)
• Insurance information
• Copies of operation records, medical records, x-rays, MRIs and CT scans from prior doctor visits
• List of current medications and any known allergies

It depends, as each patient’s situation is unique.  Most orthopedic conditions can be diagnosed without MRI.  If you have any questions, please contact your doctor’s care team before your appointment, and we will be very happy to address any of your questions.

Yes, absolutely. The more information we have regarding your unique situation and past history, the better equipped we are to provide the highest level of care. Bringing any previous x-rays, scans, and/or documentation (if available) is recommended. If you do not have this information, don’t worry; we will still take great care of you.

Ice should be used during the acute phase (first 24 to 48 hours) following an injury, or whenever there is swelling. Ice decreases blood flow to the area, which in turn decreases swelling and inflammation. Heat does the opposite. It increases blood flow to the area and can provide pain relief once the swelling and inflammation has subsided. Application of heat can increase inflammation in many cases and should not be used if you still have swelling.  In general, heat can safely be used prior to doing exercises or physical therapy as it warms up your muscles.

You can use the General Contact Form on the Contact & Locations page of this website to get in touch with Dr. Wetter regarding second opinions. Or contact us via phone to set up an appointment or speak with a member of our care team.

You can get cortisone injections every 3 to 4 months as long as they continue to provide symptomatic relief.

Some patients get immediate relief from a cortisone injection. For others, it may take up to 2 weeks for the injection to take effect. However, most people notice relief within 2 to 3 days. The duration of a cortisone injection can vary greatly. Some will last as long as a year, whereas others may last only a few days. It is also important to know that occasionally pain can get worse following a cortisone injection before it gets better. In the meantime, over the counter pain medications and ice are recommended.

In most cases, cortisone is the injection of choice since it is a powerful anti-inflammatory with a long track record of safety and success.  However, there are instances where other injections could be useful.  If you have knee arthritis, you may also consider a lubricating hyaluronic acid gel injection.  These injections go by many other names including Synvisc, Euflexxa, chicken shots, rooster shots, etc.  Gel injections can be considered for patients who have knee arthritis, but have not noticed improvement with cortisone injections.  They do tend to last longer than cortisone, but they usually do not start working for a few weeks.  There are also rare cases where plasma injections can be done, but most insurance companies will not pay for these and the cost is prohibitive for most people.

When a patient sees Dr. Wetter for the first time, he likes to remind them that “today is not necessarily a decision-making day.” The initial visit is about fact-gathering, listening to your story, and learning more about you. He will then examine your concerns, review x-rays if you have them, and begin to build a list of options for you. Dr. Wetter wants you to feel comfortable and relaxed, so he can understand how best to help you.

If you have records from another physician, provider, or hospital you may bring them with you to your appointment. If you do not have a copy, please contact the physician, provider, or hospital prior to your TCO appointment to let them know we will be requesting them.

Yes, of course. Feel free to have family members or friends join you in your consultation. Many patients find it is helpful to have support in the room, even just as an extra set of ears to remember the details of the visit.

After your appointment, or after surgery, you can expect prompt and accessible follow-up treatment. Care continues long after surgery and we want to be a part of your complete healing process. If you ever have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

If an MRI scan or other diagnostic test was ordered, we will probably have to contact your insurance carrier to get the test approved.  Once the test is approved, you will be called to schedule at the most convenient location, date, and time.  After the test is completed, you will be called with the results once available.  Results are usually available 24-48 hours after the test is complete.

If you have questions after your appointment, please feel free to contact us. You can call our clinic directly, or contact us using the General Contact Form on the Contact & Locations page of this website.

The amount of time will vary depending on each unique patient, and each unique procedure. Please feel free to discuss this with us in your appointment, or contact us directly with any questions. You may call our clinic, or email us using the General Contact Form on the Contact & Locations page of this website.

The timeframe for recovery depends on the procedure and the individual, but it is our goal to get you back to your regular lifestyle as fast as possible. You can discuss your likely recovery time at your appointment.

Each individual will experience different pain levels, but it is our goal to have you feeling 100% as soon as possible. To get an idea of the pain expectations for your individual case, please discuss with Dr. Wetter or his care coordinator at your appointment.

Please note that we strive to get our patients off narcotic pain medication as soon as possible. It can be needed shortly after surgery, but we do not advocate long-term use of pain medication. We take pain medication very seriously and make sure it is necessary before signing a prescription for any patient.