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Dr. Ridley is a fellowship trained sports medicine surgeon with extensive experience hip, knee and shoulder arthroscopy as well as minimally invasive joint replacement surgery. He has a further focus in hip arthroscopy and joint preservation including cartilage restoration and cartilage transplantation. Commonly performed hip surgeries include hip arthroscopy for labral repair and cartilage restoration, hip fractures and hip replacements. Common knee conditions include meniscus tears, ligament injuries and cartilage defects. Common shoulder problems and injuries include that of the rotator cuff and labrum as well as treatment of osteoarthritis. Dr. Ridley’s approach includes a combination of both conservative and surgical treatments, which varies depending on each individual patient.

Yes. Dr. Ridley performs robotic-assisted total and partial knee replacements. Dr. Ridley and his team can discuss further with you the benefits of utilizing this technology.

The EXCEL Orthopedic Surgery and Recovery program is available to patients who are generally healthy but have an orthopedic condition requiring surgery that is not typically done as an outpatient. The surgery is done in the Blaine Orthopedic Surgery Center. Post operatively patients are transported to a specially designed medical apartment in the same building, 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.

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. 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. Heat is good to use prior to doing any exercises or physical therapy as it warms up your muscles.

You can use the General Contact Form on the Contact & Locations page to get in touch with Dr. Ridley 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. Every individual differs in both the amount and the duration of pain relief they receive from a cortisone injection.

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 or even find permanent relief, 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. If this occurs, over the counter pain medications and ice are recommended.

Yes, Dr. Ridley performs these injections in clinic utilizing ultrasound for visualization and confirmation.

Yes, Dr. Ridley offers this for specific chronic conditions as well as an adjunct to certain surgical procedures.

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) is a collection of regenerative cells and growth factors obtained from your own bone marrow. These mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from BMAC are specialized cells that are able to replicate themselves into various types of tissues. These, along with various growth factors, can help to manage inflammation as well as aid in the healing process. These cells work to boost the body’s natural healing abilities and promote tissue growth.

BMAC is often harvested from the iliac crest.  Approximately 60cc of bone marrow aspirate is obtained. This is then placed in a specialized centrifuge to help isolate and concentrate the desired cells. The concentrated cells can then be injected into the desired area, such as the joint, muscle, tendon or ligament. These cells can also be used to bath bone/cartilage transplants to aid in transplant acceptance/growth.

BMAC falls in the category of “biologics” and “regenerative medicine.” It is a similar concept to PRP (platelet rich plasma), however, BMAC tends to have an even higher concentration of cells than PRP. The downside of BMAC is that it requires a more invasive harvest from the bone. Whereas PRP is obtained from a simple blood draw from a superficial vein, similar to an IV.

If you have already had imaging studies done, surgery recommended or have a longstanding problem, consider setting up a Virtual Consultation. To set up a face-to-face appointment call Dr. Ridley’s Care Coordinator at 763-717-4120 ext. 33120. 

The initial visit is about fact-gathering, listening to your story, and learning more about you. Dr. Ridley will listen to your concerns, perform a physical exam, review x-rays or MRI’s if you have them, and begin to build a list of options for you. Dr. Ridley’s primary goal is for 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.

You will receive paperwork from our office to complete prior to your appointment. If you do not finish your paperwork at home, please be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early to your appointment to complete your paperwork.

Bring copies of any images or other reports you would like to review to your appointment. You can also work with Dr. Ridley’s Care Coordinator, to send your images in advance. To contact, call 763-717-4120 ext. 33120 or email [email protected].

If you have the required paperwork or any questions regarding worker’s compensation, please contact us by calling Dr. Ridley’s Care Coordinator at 763-717-4120 ext. 33120.or emailing us using the General Contact Form on the Contact & Locations page. Visit the Patient Resources page to see what information you should have ready prior to your call or email. Allow for at least one full business day to properly complete the paperwork.

Dr. Ridley would prefer that you make an appointment to see him before obtaining an MRI. There are many types of imaging and different types of MRIs, so it would be most helpful to Dr. Ridley to come into the office to see him before obtaining and MRI. This will allow him to choose what type of imaging will be most helpful for his diagnostic plan in regards to your pain/injury.

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, you will be called with the results once available. Alternatively, you may schedule a clinic visit following your MRI to personally review the images.

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. You can also contact Dr. Ridley’s Care Coordinator by calling 763-717-4120 ext. 33120. 

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. Additional information can be found on the Patient Resources page or found on Dr. Ridley’s Patient Education page, in the Post-Op section.

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. More information can be found on the Patient Resources page or found on Dr. Ridley’s Patient Education page, in the Post-Op section.

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. Ridley 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.