Ryan W. Hess, MD

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Dr. Hess is originally from Verndale, Minnesota, where he was raised on a family dairy farm. He completed his undergraduate degree at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and his medical degree at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. He then completed orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Following residency, Dr. Hess completed a one-year fellowship in Sports Medicine at the Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze, Florida, with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. While there, Dr. Hess assisted in treating a wide range of injuries in athletes from amateur to professional levels. A particular focus during his time with Dr. Andrews was treatment of shoulder and elbow injuries in overhead athletes (for example, baseball and softball players, volleyball players, tennis players, and javelin throwers).

From 2013-2016, Dr. Hess practiced orthopedic surgery at the University of South Carolina, where he served as an assistant team physician for the USC Gamecocks. During that time, he was also head team physician at South Carolina State University and was part of a group of physicians at USC who provided medical coverage to more than 20 high schools in the Columbia, South Carolina area.

Dr. Hess returned to Minnesota in 2016, joining TCO in the Northwest Metro. Since that time his practice has grown to include a wide range of treatments for problems and injuries of the shoulder, elbow and knee in patients of all ages. His particular interests include shoulder and elbow injuries in overhead athletes, shoulder instability, rotator cuff tears, knee meniscus injuries and cartilage and ligament problems of the knee.

In his spare time, Dr. Hess enjoys playing baseball, golf, hunting, fishing and spending time with his wife Molly and young son and daughter.

TCO Talks with Dr. Hess: Protecting Young Arms: Baseball + Softball – Learn More

Clinical Interest

Sports medicine, including a broad range of sports injuries in athletes of all ages

Shoulder care, including athlete ligament, tendon, cartilage, and traumatic injuries, shoulder arthroscopy, labral repair, rotator cuff repair, treatment of shoulder instability, and treatment of SLAP tears

Knee care, including tendon, ligament, and cartilage injuries, multi-ligament knee injuries, patella dislocations, knee ligament reconstruction (including ACL reconstruction), articular cartilage repair, and meniscus surgery

Elbow care, including athlete ligament, tendon, cartilage, and traumatic injuries, ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (Tommy John surgery), osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) treatment, biceps and triceps tendon repair

Fracture care, including treatment of common orthopedic fractures

Pediatric care

Education

Certification
Board Certified, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Fellowship
Andrews Research and Education Institute, Gulf Breeze, FL Sports Medicine Fellowship

Residency
University of Nebraska Medical Center/Creighton Medical Foundation

Medical Degree
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

Hospital & Surgery Center Affiliations

Crosstown Surgery Center
Fairview Southdale Hospital
Maple Grove Hospital
North Memorial Ambulatory Surgery Center at Maple Grove
North Memorial Medical Center
Orthopedic Institute
WestHealth Surgery Center

Professional Affiliations

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS)
Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA)
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)
AOA Emerging Leaders
Southern Orthopaedic Association
South Carolina Medical Society
South Carolina Orthopaedic Association

Achievements & Awards

Top Doctor Rising Star: Voted an Orthopedic Rising Star by his peers in Mpls.St.Paul Magazine (2020, 2021)
Frank P. Stone, MD Award for Outstanding Resident Academic Excellence (2012)
AOA Resident Leadership Forum (2011)
Best PGY-3 Teaching Resident of the Year Award (2010)
Standing Ovation Award (2005)
Concordia College Excellence Scholarship (1998 – 2002)

Sports Affiliations

Team Physician: University of St. Thomas (2022 – Present)
Team Physician: Maple Grove High School (2021 – Present)
Team Physician: Rockford High School (2018 – Present)
Medical Director: South Carolina State University (2015 – 2016)
Team Physician: University of South Carolina (2013 – 2016)
Team Physician: South Carolina State University (2013 – 2016)
Team Physician: Columbia SC Area High Schools (2013 – 2016)
Team Physician: Pensacola Blue Wahoos – Cincinnati Reds AA team (2012 – 2013)
Under Armour All-American High School Football Game Medical Coverage (2013)
Team Physician: Auburn University (2012 – 2013)
Team Physician: Omaha South High School Football (2009 – 2011)

Staff

Donelle P.

Care Coordinator