Clinic finds a perfect partner in Saukville’s Gateway

It seems natural to have an orthopedic clinic next to a sports facility, but the Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin serves more than just athletes.

The clinic, which opened its doors Monday, Jan. 5, next to Gateway Sports Academy on Market Street in Saukville, is open to anyone who is dealing with a wide variety of joint issues, chronic pain, is dealing with conditions such as muscular sclerosis or even recovering from a stroke.

“Orthopedics is bone, joint and muscular connections from head to toe,” Calvin Thomas, manager of rehabilitation services at the clinic, said, adding symptoms can be everything from headaches to plantar fasciitis.

“As physical therapists, we’re trained to treat all kinds of injuries. If you’ve got any aches, pains or functional concerns, if you have trouble getting up the stairs, off the floor, we can help.”

The Saukville clinic, located in the Northern Gateway Community Collective being built by Ansay Development on the village’s east side, is the ninth operated by Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin — other Ozaukee County locations are in Cedarburg and Mequon. 

Work on the clinic began in October, and area residents are invited to check it out during an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26.

While the clinics draw “patients from Racine to Sheboygan to beyond,” Thomas said, this location has one other reason for being in Saukville.  

“The big draw here is the Gateway Sports Academy,” he said, noting the two share a building and the clinic has a back door open to the academy. “We’re not just a tenant here, we’re a partner.”

When the academy hosts weekend tournaments, Thomas said, the clinic will have athletic trainers on hand to help with any injuries that may arise.

“They’ll be able to triage and point them in the right direction (for treatment) as well as provide first aid,” he said, noting that physical therapy is often part of the recovery from concussions, a common athletic injury that can cause issues with balance and vision.

While most high school athletic teams have trainers, a physical therapist can do things they can’t, complementing the treatment provided, physical therapist Ryan Henke said.

The clinic’s therapists will also collaborate with the coaches and organizations at the academy, he said, and hope to connect with other organizations such as the nearby Feith Family Ozaukee YMCA, Port Hoops and Port Youth Soccer.

The clinic is about 1,800 square feet with two treatment rooms, a gym with rehabilitation equipment and an athletic training area.

In addition to Thomas, it is staffed by Henke and physical therapist Diane Ott as well as receptionist Danielle Reineking.

Henke, a Cedarburg native who lives in Saukville, was an athletic trainer for more than eight years before becoming a therapist.

“The active population is my wheelhouse,” he said, from student athletes to weekend warriors. “Anybody who has that kind of stuff motivates me.”

Ott, a certified strength and conditioning specialist who has worked in the Saukville area for more than 20 years, does a lot of work with people who have neurological conditions such as muscular sclerosis, are recovering from strokes or have spinal cord injuries.

“It’s really rewarding work,” she said. “I’ve seen people go from someone who can’t even sit up to someone who’s thriving.”

The two therapists, Thomas said, “are more than capable of treating anyone in the community who has pain or dysfunction,” noting patients don’t need a doctor’s referral to do so.

“We can evaluate people and determine if it’s something we can rehab,” he said. If not, they can refer people to other resources in the area.

The clinic is dedicated “to providing one-on-one care with the same physical therapist from your first appointment throughout your care,” Thomas said. “We emphasize easy access, and we’re known for patient satisfaction.

“We’re excited to dig in here in Saukville,” he added. “Everyone here has been very welcoming.”