Catherine Choi, M.D., is an interventional spine physician, physical medicine & rehabilitation specialist at Summit Orthopedics. She provides nonsurgical neck, back, and spine care, serving Minneapolis/St. Paul metro patients. Dr. Choi completed an interventional pain management fellowship at the University of Chicago. “Part of my approach to care is providing patient education,” she notes. “I want my patients to see the imaging that explains what they are feeling and what’s happening to them. Then, I help them understand the available options, from conservative treatments to surgery. I guide them, but ultimately it’s up to patients to choose the path they want to take. If one treatment doesn’t work, we’ll keep looking for another option.”. Dr. Choi is highly rated in 7 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Cervical Spondylosis, Spinal Stenosis, Sacroiliac Joint Disease, and Spondylolisthesis.

Dr. Omar Ramos is a board-certified orthopaedic spine surgeon at Twin Cities Spine Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He completed his spine surgery fellowship at Twin Cities Spine Center after earning his MD and completing orthopaedic residency training at Loma Linda University. Dr. Ramos treats a wide range of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar conditions—including degenerative disorders, disc herniations, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and spinal deformity—using a stepwise approach that prioritizes the least invasive, most effective treatment for each patient. When surgery is appropriate, he emphasizes careful surgical planning, modern minimally invasive techniques when indicated, and clear communication so patients understand their diagnosis and options and can make confident decisions.He is active in outcomes-focused research, including work on vertebral bone quality and risk prediction for lumbar fusion complications, with publications in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Ramos has been recognized with multiple honors, including Alpha Omega Alpha, North American Spine Society (NASS) SpineLine “20 Under 40,” a Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS) Young Surgeon Grant, and Avant-Garde Health Orthopedic Surgery Research All Star (Top 3% nationwide). He is fluent in English and Spanish. Dr. Ramos is highly rated in 8 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Cervical Spondylosis, Spinal Stenosis, Spondylolisthesis, Spinal Fusion, and Microdiscectomy.

Steven Stulc, D.O., is an interventional spine physician at Summit Orthopedics specializing in nonsurgical treatment of neck, back, and spine conditions and injuries. He has a special interest in physical medicine and rehabilitation, vertebral compression fractures, and regenerative medicine (including platelet-rich plasma and bone marrow aspirate concentrate injections). He completed a fellowship in Interventional Pain Medicine at Penn State University. “My goal is to treat patients with a comprehensive approach to their spine-related disorders, understanding that improving pain and function can have a tremendous impact on quality of life,” says Dr. Stulc. Dr. Stulc is highly rated in 8 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Facet Joint Syndrome, Cervical Spondylosis, Spinal Stenosis, and Coccydynia.

Joseph Perra is an Orthopedics provider in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Perra is highly rated in 19 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Scoliosis, Kyphosis, Frontonasal Dysplasia Klippel Feil Syndrome, Spinal Fusion, and Microdiscectomy.

Mikhail A. Klimstra, M.D., is an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon at Summit Orthopedics specializing in knee, hip, and shoulder care, serving patients in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. He completed his sports medicine fellowship at the University of New Mexico Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation. “The core of my practice is sitting down and talking with patients about their individual concern or problem, offering my insight and guidance about that problem, then working together to find the best option or treatment strategy for them,” Dr. Klimstra said. “It’s important to note that the best strategy may not be surgery.”. His top areas of expertise are Synovial Osteochondromatosis, Osteoarthritis, Baker Cyst, and Infectious Arthritis.

Nicholas Wills, M.D., is a spine surgeon at Summit Orthopedics, serving Minneapolis and St. Paul metro patients. He specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery, total disc replacement, as well as cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine conditions. Across the nation, Dr. Wills trains other surgeons on the best techniques for disc replacement surgery. He was a pioneer in this market, adopting new technology that allows for a two-level disc replacement that maintains the motion at both levels of repair. His surgical expertise has won him repeated recognition on the Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s Rising Stars list. Dr. Wills is highly rated in 11 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Spinal Stenosis, Invertebral Disc Disease, Spondylolisthesis, Herniated Disc Surgery, and Cervical Disc Surgery.

Roman Guerrero, M.D., is spine surgeon at Summit Orthopedics specializing in back and neck surgical and nonsurgical care, serving patients in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. Dr. Guerrero completed his spine surgery fellowship at Twin Cities Spine Center. “Sometimes, I’ll have patients who are bewildered by symptom causes,” he says. “They are in pain, they are suffering, and disease has limited their quality of life. When I am able to diagnose, treat, and resolve these conditions, their lives change completely. They heal and they become pain-free. That’s my nirvana. There’s nothing better than being able to change a patient’s life with sound medical recommendations and appropriate treatment.”. Dr. Guerrero is highly rated in 9 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Spinal Stenosis, Spondylolisthesis, Facet Joint Syndrome, Microdiscectomy, and Herniated Disc Surgery.

Jack Skendzel, M.D., is an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon specializing in knee, shoulder, and hip; femoroacetabular impingement (FAI); hip arthroscopy; meniscal transplantation; and multiple ligament knee injuries. His fellowship was at The Steadman Philippon Research Institute/The Steadman Clinic in Colorado. He has served as a team physician for high school, collegiate, and Olympic athletes. Named a Rising Star by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. “From education, to providing patients with materials and resources, to managing expectations about surgery and recovery, to being available if they do have questions, we are committed to providing our patients with the services they need to regain function and go back to the active life they love.”. Dr. Skendzel is highly rated in 4 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Bursitis, Tendinitis, Tenosynovitis, Synovial Osteochondromatosis, and Hip Replacement.

Kristoffer Breien, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon at Summit Orthopedics specializing in hip and knee arthritis and joint replacement, serving Minneapolis/St. Paul patients. Dr. Breien cultivates trust with his patients; his candid sincerity and surgical skill have earned him a place on Minnesota’s Top Doctors list for many years. “You have to be honest with your patients,” he explains. “People are more informed than they’ve ever been, and they want to know what to expect—especially if they are considering surgery. Whether I am treating patients with conservative therapies or a surgical procedure, my focus is on delivering superior care.” Dr. Breien volunteers his surgical skills to underserved communities through One World Surgery. Dr. Breien is highly rated in 1 condition, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Acute Pain, Bursitis, Hip Replacement, and Knee Replacement.

Edward Cheng is an Orthopedics provider in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Cheng is highly rated in 23 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Osteonecrosis, Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Bone Tumor, Knee Replacement, and Hip Replacement.

Denis Clohisy is an Orthopedics provider in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Clohisy is highly rated in 21 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma Embryonal, Epithelioid Sarcoma, and Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma.

Robert Laprade is an Orthopedics provider in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Laprade is highly rated in 21 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Hypermobile Joints, Baker Cyst, Bowlegs, Osteotomy, and Endoscopy.

Mark Fischer is an Orthopedics provider in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Fischer has been practicing medicine for over 44 years is highly rated in 14 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ganglion Cyst, Rhizarthrosis, Fasciotomy, and Hip Replacement.

David Polly is an Orthopedics provider in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Polly is highly rated in 13 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Scoliosis, Lordosis, Kyphosis, Spinal Fusion, and Osteotomy.

Jonathan Sembrano is an Orthopedics provider in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Sembrano is highly rated in 10 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Lordosis, Otospondylomegaepiphyseal Dysplasia, Spondylolisthesis, Spinal Fusion, and Osteotomy.

Timothy Garvey is an Orthopedics provider in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Garvey is highly rated in 10 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Spinal Stenosis, Spondylolisthesis, Kyphosis, Cervical Disc Surgery, and Herniated Disc Surgery.

Elizabeth Arendt is an Orthopedics provider in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Arendt is highly rated in 4 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Hypermobile Joints, Osteoarthritis, Osgood-Schlatter Disease, Osteotomy, and Tenotomy.

Marc Tompkins is an Orthopedics provider in Bloomington, Minnesota. Dr. Tompkins is highly rated in 3 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Osteochondritis Dissecans, Hypermobile Joints, Knock Knees, Osteotomy, and Endoscopy. Dr. Tompkins is currently accepting new patients.

Jason Haselhuhn is an Orthopedics provider in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Haselhuhn is highly rated in 2 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Lordosis, Spondylolisthesis, Kyphosis, Osteotomy, and Spinal Fusion.

Bishoy Gad is an Orthopedics provider in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Gad is highly rated in 1 condition, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Tendinitis, Acute Pain, Knee Replacement, and Hip Replacement.

Terence Gioe is an Orthopedics provider in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Dr. Gioe is highly rated in 1 condition, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Osteolysis Syndrome Recessive, Knee Replacement, and Hip Replacement.

Michael Freehill, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon at Summit Orthopedics specializing in the surgical and nonsurgical care of the shoulder, with a special interest in adult joint reconstruction, joint replacement, sports-related injuries, and arthroscopic surgery. He serves patients in the Minneapolis St. Paul metro area. Dr. Freehill has 20-plus years of experience and is a frequent recipient of the Top Doctor designation in Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. He speaks both nationally and internationally, has authored numerous articles in professional publications, and has served as a course instructor for dozens of conferences. He completed his shoulder, elbow, and sports medicine fellowship at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York. Dr. Freehill is highly rated in 12 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Frozen Shoulder, Skeletal-Extraskeletal Angiomatosis, and Osteolysis Syndrome Recessive.

Samuel Russ, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon at Summit Orthopedics specializing in foot and ankle care, serving Minneapolis/St. Paul patients. He has a special interest in sports-related injuries, arthroscopy, and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. He completed a foot and ankle fellowship at St. Mary’s Orthopedics in Maine. “I try all the things to help people live functional, pain-free lives without surgery first,” Dr. Russ says. “Then, if we determine that the individual requires surgery, I work with the patient to figure out what he or she needs, so that I am not doing too much or too little. I work to individualize the surgical treatment plan.” He volunteers his surgical skills to underserved communities through One World Surgery. Dr. Russ is highly rated in 12 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Flat Feet, Achilles Tendon Rupture, Metatarsalgia, and Osteochondritis Dissecans.

David Strothman, M.D., is a spine surgeon at Summit Orthopedics, serving Minneapolis/St. Paul metro patients. He specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery; cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine conditions; and adult scoliosis. Dr. Strothman is a frequent recipient of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s Top Doctor and Rising Star awards. He completed a fellowship in orthopedic spine at Twin Cities Spine Center. “Spinal disorders are complex and disabling,” explains Dr. Strothman. “As your surgeon, I will explain your diagnosis and treatment options, both operative and nonoperative, in a way that you can understand thereby allowing you to make informed decisions. I am rewarded daily by improving the quality of life of patients receiving my care.”. Dr. Strothman is highly rated in 11 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Spinal Stenosis, Spondylolisthesis, Herniated Disk, Laminectomy, and Microdiscectomy.

Edward Santos, M.D., is a spine surgeon at Summit Orthopedics, serving Minneapolis/St. Paul metro patients. He completed four fellowships: Adult Orthopaedic Reconstruction at the University of Minnesota, Spine Surgery at Twin Cities Spine Center, Revision Joint Surgery and Transplantation in Australia, and Spine Surgery in Australia. As an associate professor at the University of Minnesota, he educated medical residents for over a decade. He is a frequent Top Doctor recipient from Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. He says, “I want to be the doctor with whom patients can share their fears and concerns and dreams. And when they tell me I’ve changed their life and given them back their life? Without a doubt, that’s the best part of my job.". Dr. Santos is highly rated in 10 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Spinal Stenosis, Spondylolisthesis, Invertebral Disc Disease, Cervical Disc Surgery, and Herniated Disc Surgery.