DR. GNIRKE SPORTS MEDICINE PHYSICIAN
Dr. Gnirke provides advanced orthopaedic care
Dr. Gnirke is passionate about treating complex orthopaedic injuries and chronic conditions. His practice at Vail-Summit Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery (VSON) is centered around interventional sports, spine, and regenerative medicine. This comprehensive focus allows Dr. Gnirke to provide patients with precision diagnosis, prevention treatment, and rehabilitation care.
Physiatrist
Dr. Gnirke’s training as a physiatrist, combined with his medical doctorate gives him the insight to see beyond the musculoskeletal structures of a patient and consider the involvement of not only the joints, tendons, and ligaments, but also the involvement of the brain, nerves, and the spinal cord. Dr. Gnirke partners with orthopedic and neurosurgeons, physical and occupational therapists, primary care physicians, and neurologists to provide this level of care.
Sports Medicine
Dr. Gnirke’s specialty in interventional sports medicine indicates his diagnostic analysis of a patient will involve all neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems combined with a careful physical examination, and advanced technologies. The technologies may include electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies (NCS), and musculoskeletal ultrasonography. Diagnostic anesthetic blocks can be applied to help identify a pain source. Treatments may include exercise, injection therapies and minimally invasive ultrasound guided interventions. When necessary, referrals to appropriate surgical care are coordinated.
Interventional Spine
Dr. Gnirke’s physiatry and interventional spine medicine training allows him to have a strong understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment options of a variety of spinal conditions. Some spine conditions he treats include:
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal arthritis
- SI joint pain
- Vertebral fractures
- Spinal deformities
- Herniated discs
- Spinal infections
- Scoliosis
Regenerative Medicine
Dr. Gnirke has the expertise to effectively integrate regenerative therapies in a patient’s treatment plan. Identifying the natural ability of the human body to heal itself, regenerative medicine is a quickly advancing treatment field that is discovering, creating, and applying new therapies to restore function and heal tissues that are damaged due to injury, aging and normal wear and tear. It is most often indicated for orthopedic conditions involving injury or degeneration to joints, tendons, and ligaments. He is passionate about providing innovative outcomes-driven solutions to patients.
Dr. Gnirke is committed to compassionately treating musculoskeletal injuries with the highest level of expertise. His training and experience across multiple disciplines are valuable resources for the active patient population in Colorado’s High Country.