September 8, 2020 - TCO

TCO welcomes new physician Dr. Ryan J. Hoel

Join us in welcoming our newest physician, Ryan J. Hoel, MD, to Twin Cities Orthopedics.

Dr. Hoel is a fellowship-trained spine surgeon who specializes in nonoperative and operative management of all spinal conditions, with an emphasis on minimally invasive surgical techniques. He treats spinal disorders of both the neck and back, including disc herniations, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, spinal cord compression, arthritis of the spine, and spinal deformities. He performs motion-preserving surgeries, such as disc replacements, and uses muscle-preserving surgical techniques.

Ryan J. Hoel, MD

What are a few interesting facts that people may not know about you?

I participate in international medical outreach programs.  My most recent surgical volunteer opportunity was in western Columbia in the fall of 2019 with the organization Global Spine Outreach. During my time there, I performed more than a dozen operations alongside local surgeons to treat children with severe spinal deformities who otherwise have minimal access to advanced spine care. For these children, the operations are literally life-saving, as they enable their lungs to develop as they grow. I completed a fellowship at the acclaimed San Diego Spine Foundation at Scripps Green Hospital, which is a national Center of Excellence in spinal surgery and leads the field in the development and refinement of minimally invasive surgical techniques. My wife and I also recently had identical twin boys!

Why did you go into medicine?

Growing up, I was always fascinated with science.  After learning the basics of physiology, I was amazed by the delicate interactions of the different systems of the body and how they worked so well in harmony. I chose to pursue medicine because it was a field where I could continue to explore these concepts while being able to directly make an impact on people’s daily lives. It is a gift to have received the knowledge and training to alleviate pain and disability from others, allowing them to return to the activities and pursuits that bring them joy.

How did you choose orthopedics?

Spine surgery and orthopedics are amazing specialties in that they are focused on helping patients return to normalcy and return to the activities they love to do. It is an amazing feeling to be able to perform a relatively small surgery and eliminate a patient’s incapacitating pain. This aspect, coupled with the intricate anatomy of both the spine and extremities, makes helping patients a joy.

What does your dream practice look like?

My dream practice is focused on surgically and non-surgically treating both adults and adolescents with spine and orthopedic problems. From a spine surgery standpoint, I will treat cervical (neck) as well as thoracic and lumbar spine disease, with a heavy emphasis on the most modern minimally-invasive surgical techniques to allow patients to return to function as quickly as possible following surgery. Many of these operations can be performed on an outpatient basis, but even with the larger operations, my goal is to use techniques that allow for the quickest possible recovery and short hospital stay, while still maximizing the patient’s long-term outcome. From an orthopedic standpoint, my primary focus is on treatment of fractures (broken bones), with a similar goal of finding ways to restore patients to function as quickly as possible.

What is your care philosophy?

I have a strong belief that if a condition can be treated successfully without surgery, non-operative measures should absolutely be tried before considering an operation. For those patients who do not respond to nonsurgical modalities, surgery can be considered, but must be tailored to the patient’s pathology. I select the smallest operation that will lead to a successful outcome, and partner with my patients on determining the treatment plan, with the ultimate goal of relieving pain and returning to activity.

What is your favorite quote?

“The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.” – Sir William Osler

 

Dr. Hoel will practice at TCO’s Chaska and Edina – Crosstown locations.