General Orthopedics
All of our orthopedic surgeons are general orthopedists.
The Asheville Office is now located at 1 Hospital Drive Suite 5100. The Biltmore Park location is now located at 310 Long Shoals Rd Suite 301 (instead of 201).Restricted VisitationTo ensure a safe care environment, AOA is allowing one visitor per patient to accompany the patient to the exam room. If an interpreter is necessary, we may limit the total number of people with the patient. Visitors must be over the age of 16 and meet screening criteria prior to entering the facility. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as AOA stays committed to the health and wellbeing of our patients and everyone we serve. |
All orthopedic surgeons are originally general orthopedists. Following medical school all orthopedists train during their five year residency. During the fourth year, residents make a choice of going into practice or to pursue a fellowship. Fellowships are an additional year of training in a more focused area of the field of orthopedics. After successful completion of residency, residents are eligible to sit for step one of the board exam. Those who pass are board eligible until they complete step two, the oral exam. The American Board of Orthopedic Surgery determines eligibility for board certification.
A board certified orthopedist has demonstrated mastery of the field through both written examinations and a thorough review of their practice and patient outcomes. Re-certification is required every 10 years to maintain board certification. Re-certification involves a written examination and review of current practice patterns and patient outcomes.
Orthopedics has two sub-specialty certifications, hand and sports medicine.
All general orthopedists have training in those fields but some develop advanced knowledge, experience and skills that allow them to become board certified in that sub-specialty. There are many general orthopedic questions on the sub-specialty certification exam as well as hand or sports specific questions.
A true general orthopedist is rare today. It is near impossible to remain current in all aspects of orthopedic conditions and treatments. Whether the surgeon has done a fellowship or not, almost all evolve their practice toward one of the sub-specialties. Most general orthopedists do hip and knee replacements as well as many sports medicine procedures like knee and shoulder arthroscopies. Many also do minor hand and wrist procedures and fracture care.
Follow the link for 3D animations of surgical procedures. Each video details the featured procedure, step-by-step.
If your specific condition is not listed, we can likely still help. Please call us at 828-252-7331 to ask for more information.
J. Ryan Macdonell, M.D.
Hip & Knee, General OrthopedicsGeneral Orthopedist, Asheville Orthopaedic Associates
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Joseph M. Dement, M.D.
Hip & Knee, General OrthopedicsGeneral Orthopedist, Asheville Orthopaedic Associates
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Christopher L. Elder, M.D.
Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Shoulder & Elbow, Hip & Knee, General OrthopedicsGeneral Orthopedic Surgeon, Asheville Orthopaedic Associates
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S. David Jarrett, M.D.
Hip & Knee, General OrthopedicsOrthopedic Surgeon, Asheville Orthopaedic Associates
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Walton W. Curl, M.D.
Orthopedic Sports Medicine, General OrthopedicsOrthopedic Sports Medicine, Asheville Orthopaedic Associates
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Myron W. Smith, M.D.
Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Shoulder & Elbow, Hip & Knee, General OrthopedicsOrthopedic Surgeon, Asheville Orthopaedic Associates
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David F. Pope, M.D.
Orthopedic Sports Medicine, General OrthopedicsOrthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, Asheville Orthopaedic Associates
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Brent Fisher M.D.
Primary Care Sports Medicine, General OrthopedicsPrimary Care Sports Medicine Physician, Asheville Orthopaedic Associates
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J.D. Hales, M.D., CAQSM
Primary Care Sports Medicine, General OrthopedicsPrimary Care Sports Medicine Physician
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Mark A. Rasmussen, PA-C
General OrthopedicsPhysicians Assistant, Asheville Orthopaedic Associates
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Ron D. Heninger, M.M.Sc., PA-C
General OrthopedicsOrthopedic Medicine, Asheville Orthopaedic Associates
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Jeff Kelenske, PA-C
General OrthopedicsPhysicians Assistant, Asheville Orthopaedic Associates
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Eric Walker, PA-C
General OrthopedicsPhysicians Assistant, Asheville Orthopaedic Associates
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Leigh Johanson, PA-C
General OrthopedicsPhysician Assistant in General Orthopedics, Mission Hospital McDowell
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