Caroline A Gerhardt, MD - Family Health Center

I pursued a career in orthopaedic surgery because I wanted to help restore function and quality of life for my patients, and to reduce their pain in a tangible way, while being able to work with patients of all ages. I strive to help each patient achieve their goals through careful evaluation and patient-centered treatment options. Since every patient has different concerns, goals and needs, I discuss each available treatment for their particular condition, from conservative non-operative options to surgical options. I also provide patients with research data and clear information about what they can expect from their treatment. It’s important that patients feel well-informed so that they can choose the treatment that best meets their personal goals so that they will ultimately be happy with their choice. Whenever possible, I include a patient’s family members and friends in these conversations as they provide a wonderful opportunity to help support the patient, gather information, ask good questions and help choose treatments. I am an active athlete and enjoy providing medical support to athletes in my community and elsewhere. As the Kimball Union Academy (KUA) head team physician, I maintain regular clinic hours at KUA during the academic year. In this role, I provide on-site treatment and evaluation of injured athletes. I am also a member of the U.S. Ski Team physician pool. I travel annually with the Slopestyle Ski and Snowboard teams to competitions and training around the world. I provide on-hill medical coverage for team athletes and help to ensure they are in great shape for competition. As a recreational athlete, I can relate to loss of function being a life-altering experience for patients. That’s why my goal is always to get patients back to doing whatever it is that they strive for, whether in athletics, hobbies, lifestyle, or work.

I joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at DHMC because of its reputation for patient-centered care with an emphasis on shared decision making and attention to patient-reported outcomes. I truly believe that DHMC places patient needs above all other priorities and this matches my philosophy of care perfectly. By utilizing proven treatment methods and listening carefully to the individual needs of my patients, my primary goal is to always provide compassionate and comprehensive care. I try to keep patients informed about their options so they can participate in making their own decisions, and to treat every patient as if they are part of my family. As a specialist in shoulder surgery, I perform a wide range of surgical procedures for the shoulder, ranging from common procedures to very complex reconstructive procedures. My surgical practice features arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, primary and revision shoulder replacement surgery including reverse total shoulder replacement, repair of shoulder instability, reconstruction of shoulders that have had previous surgery, shoulder arthroscopy and treatment of fractures around the shoulder. I am fortunate to work with an excellent team of providers who also specialize in shoulder care and work with me on a daily basis to provide comprehensive care of all shoulder problems. This includes a dedicated group of physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, physical therapists and athletic trainers. Most of the time, our team can improve pain and dysfunction of the shoulder without surgery, which is always our goal whenever possible. Sometimes, the best treatment to restore function and decrease pain is through surgery. I practice evidence-based medicine, using the latest research and up-to-date thinking to guide care of my patients. The other side of my professional life is my desire to contribute to our understanding of shoulder conditions through my own research. I spend a great deal of my free time thinking about shoulder problems and coming up with ways that we can improve our knowledge through scientific research. I have published many papers and textbook chapters on a wide range of shoulder conditions, including shoulder replacement, shoulder fractures, rotator cuff repair, labral tears, shoulder instability and the cost-effectiveness of shoulder surgery.