General Practitioners

• Arthritis
  In some patients, a tendon or bursa has become inflamed and is causing a fair amount of ongoing discomfort when performing simple tasks, such as opening a doorknob or lifting a cup of coffee. For these patients, along with others with chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, sometimes one of the best treatment options for immediate relief is the injection of a corticosteroid. These work to calm the inflammation that is behind their pain, and they can provide relief for months.
• Medical Weight Loss
  The need for knee replacement is often one of quality of life. In patients where their pain is severe, or if their quality of life is being significantly impeded, replacing a knee damaged by osteoarthritis can dramatically improve their quality of life. Patients with severe degeneration of the knee joint may be unable to do normal activities, such as walking or climbing stairs. The knee may be prone to swelling or may give way at times because the joint has become unstable. Replacement surgery is usually a last resort of sorts, after trying more conservative treatments such as physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, viscosupplementation injections, or even weight loss for obese patients.
• Immunizations
  If you wish to inform us of your vaccination status, please present your vaccine card to the front desk staff for your medical record

Gynecologists

• Pregnancy

Internists

• Internal Medicine
  “Dr. Grafe is one of the most comprehensive and compassionate physicians I’ve met and worked with. Many people consider orthopedic surgeons to be “hammer/nail” types; in other words, they have the expectation that what they see is “a nail” because they are “a hammer”–one diagnosis, one solution. Dr. Grafe, on the other hand, functions as a skillful and broad thinking internal medicine doc who also happens to be an impeccable surgeon. He worked with me to outline a strategy for my treatment and was able to quickly respond to new information and draft a revised strategy. Most of all, however, he also knows when to take the time to really listen and see the patient with authentic compassion. His assistant, Ashley, was also terrific–professional and kind.” -Janet Durgin

Neurologists

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition involving numbness, pain, and tingling in the wrist, hand, and fingers. It results from continuing pressure on a nerve in the wrist, which controls motor function in the thumb.

Endocrinologist

• Diabetes Care

Radiologist

• MRI
  — Magnetic resonance imaging uses powerful magnets and computer technology to combine multiple cross section images of the spine. This shows the spinal cord, the nerve roots and the surrounding areas, along with any enlargement, degeneration, and tumors.
• X-Rays
• Computed Tomography
  — Contrast dye is injected into the spinal fluid space to outline the nerves and spinal cord and to show evidence of compression. This is used with an x-ray or CT scan.

Surgeons

• General Surgery
  Luis Garcia is a certified Physician Assistant. He joined Redwood Orthopaedic Surgery Associates in 2011. Mr. Garcia received a Bachelor’s degree in History and Spanish at UC Irvine. He then attended UC Berkeley where he completed the Postbaccalaureate Pre-medicine Program. He moved to North Carolina and completed the Physician Assistant Program and received a Master’s Degree in Health Sciences from Duke University. His training included general surgery at Yale University and orthopaedic surgery at the VA Hospital System in Asheville, NC.
• Sciatica
  Spondylolisthesis refers to a slip of one vertebrae relative to another. The most common causes include degeneration in the disc and facet joints or a stress fracture. The lower lumbar levels are most commonly involved. The slippage can cause back pain or sciatica symptoms. Treatments include anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, injections or surgery. The surgical treatment of a spondylolisthesis usually requires a fusion and laminectomy. At Redwood Orthopaedic Surgery Associates in Santa Rosa, CA we specialize in diagnosing and treating lumbar spondylolisthesis.
• Arthroscopy
  Arthroscopy is a type of surgery that uses a small fiber-optic camera to visualize areas around a joint. Elbow arthroscopy involves making 4 to 6 small (1/4 inch) incisions around the elbow. Elbow arthroscopy allows the surgeon to work in the elbow joint while limiting the amount of dissection (cutting) needed to access the joint. Elbow arthroscopy can be used to help diagnose painful elbows, remove loose bodies in the joint, free up stiff elbows, and treat some forms of elbow arthritis. Elbow arthroscopy can also be used to help treat some elbow fractures. Essentially, elbow arthroscopy is a good tool to “clean up” the elbow joint.
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
  Minimally invasive surgeries are procedures that are performed using small incisions and endoscopic instruments. This is an alternative to “open surgery” in which the doctor makes a single, lengthy incision to access the injured tissue. Arthroscopy is an example of a minimally invasive orthopaedic surgery. Using smaller instruments, the surgeon can reduce the risk of extensive scarring, infection, and prolonged recovery. Not all procedures can be performed using minimally invasive techniques. However, a great deal of progress has been made in this area. Our surgeons are up-to-date with the latest advances in surgical techniques, and have the educational background to perform minimally invasive surgery as often as possible.
• Ankle Surgery
  Total ankle replacement is often considered a last resort for treating ankle conditions. Your doctor may first recommend conservative treatment to relieve the symptoms associated with your condition. If these treatments are unsuccessful, ankle surgery may be beneficial.
• Bunion Surgery
  “I came to see Dr. Chang after having already gone through bunion surgery with another doctor. Unfortunately that first doctor didn’t do a good job and Dr. Chang had a mess to fix! Several people had referred Dr. Chang to me but I didn’t see him. (Boy do I regret that!) He did an amazing job fixing my foot and got me seeing improvement immediately. He was awesome to work with and always responded quickly to my crazy text messages. I’ve enjoyed my appointments with him and am still seeing improvement every day. If you have feet problems, he’s the man to see!” -Gretchen Kenny
• Joint Replacement
  Dr. Howe graduated with his medical degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and completed his internship and residency training in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of California, Davis, where he received the Orthopaedic Chief Resident of the Year Award. Dr. Howe then had the honor to be selected as an Otto E. Aufranc Fellow in Total Joint Replacement Surgery at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, MA where he trained with world-renowned Total Joint Surgeons. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and specializes in complex arthritic problems of the hip and knee, and complex revision surgeries of the hip and knee as well.
• Hand Surgery
  Dr. Michael W. Grafe is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon with a certificate of additional qualification in Hand Surgery. He has been working at Redwood Orthopaedic Surgery Associates since 2005, where he delivers cutting edge techniques for problems involving the shoulder, elbow, hand, and upper extremity. He is a member of the Orthopaedic Trauma Service at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and is the Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Consultant for the Trauma Service. Memorial Hospital has awarded Dr. Grafe for excellence in care in 2007, and he has been named a “Top Doc” by Castle Connolly and San Francisco Magazine in 2012, 2014, and 2015. He was also “Top Doc” in US News and World Report in 2012.
• Orthopedic Surgery
  Parker D. Timothy is a nationally certified physician assistant. He serves and treats patients of Redwood Orthopedic Surgery Associates, most especially those with shoulder and knee problems. He knows that no two people are the same, neither are any two joints, and will serve you and your joints accordingly.
• Bunions
  Why some people develop bunions while others don’t is somewhat of a mystery. It is thought that these factors play a part...
• Arthroscopy
  Dr. Grafe continues to lecture at national and international meetings in the field of orthopaedic surgery. He has been published in numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, posters and presentations, and is a reviewer for the “Journal of Arthroscopy and Related Surgery”.
• Hip Replacement
  The hip is one of our body’s biggest joints, and it takes much of the stress when we walk, run, jump, and make just about any action with our lower body. Over time, the wear and tear of osteoarthritis or other causes can wear away the cartilage that cushions the ball/socket construction of the hip. This allows the bones to rub against each other, causing hip pain and stiffness. When this happens, quality of life can be dramatically impaired; even sleeping on a bad hip is difficult. That is where a total hip arthroplasty, or hip replacement surgery, comes into play
• Knee Replacement
  ” I went to Redwood Orthopaedics to be assessed for a knee replacement. My experience was excellent from the scheduling for appointments, to the front desk assistance, and the extraordinary care I received from the caring orthopedic professionals. From the beginning of my surgery plan to the end, I felt confident and reassured throughout the entire process. I’m grateful to PA, Natalie Marks & Dr. Kevin Howe for a successful experience. “

Dermatologists

• Corns
• Calluses

Physical Therapists

• Sports Medicine
  Dr. Kent Yinger is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in shoulder surgery and ACL surgery. He is fellowship-trained in sports medicine. He has been a partner at ROSA since 2001, where he has established a reputation as an exceptional and caring surgeon.
• Physical Therapy
  Compression fractures commonly occur in the setting of osteoporosis. A compression fracture typically involves the vertebral body and usually causes back pain. Bone mineral density can be assessed radiographically and medical treatment can reduce the incidence of these fractures. When fractures occur they can be treated with activity modification, bracing, physical therapy or surgery. Kyphoplasty is a minimally-invasive procedure that stabilizes compression fractures and improves pain. At Redwood Orthopaedic Surgery Associates in Santa Rosa, CA we specialize in diagnosing and treating thoracolumbar compression fractures.
• Frozen Shoulder
  Adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, is a chronic inflammation of the shoulder capsule that causes abnormal tissue growth around the area, significantly restricting movement. Other symptoms associated with this condition include pain and overall stiffness. The cause of the condition is unknown. Patients with a history of diabetes, history of injury to the shoulder, or connective tissue disorders are at a higher risk of having this problem.
• Tennis Elbow
  People confuse the “steroids” they hear about in a news story about a professional athlete or a weightlifter with steroids that can help with their tennis elbow. They are not the same thing.
• Slipped Disc
  A herniated disc, also referred to as a bulging, ruptured or slipped disc, is one that protrudes into the spinal canal and applies pressure to a nerve root. A herniated lumbar disc can cause pain in the back and all the way down the legs and feet. About 90% of herniated discs occur in the lumbar spine.
• Back Pain
• Orthotics and Prosthetic Therapy

Podiatrists

• General Podiatry
  Dr. Chang graduated with his doctorate degree from the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, where he was a member of the Pi Delta National Podiatry Honor Society and recipient of the Professor Louis M. Newman Surgery Award. He then completed a three-year residency program in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at Emory/Northlake Regional Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Ankle Instability
  A sprained ankle is a common injury that occurs when the ankle is twisted or turned and results in torn ligaments within the joint. Ankle ligament reconstruction is commonly performed on patients with ankle instability or repeated sprains, as it is effective in tightening loosened ligaments and improving the overall stability of the joint.
• Ankle Sprain
  An orthopaedic physician is a specialist who diagnoses and treats conditions that affect the bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. If you have a sprained ankle, your orthopaedic doctor can help. If you have chronic back pain, you want to consult with an orthopaedic doctor. It is important to understand that seeing a specialist who can perform surgery to repair injuries does not mean you will need to have surgery. Our doctors are thoroughly trained in the many non-surgical modalities that can facilitate tissue and structural repairs. Although they have extensive surgical skills, they turn to surgery only when necessary.
• Bunions Problems
  Bunions are abnormal bony bumps that form at the base of the big toe. They can make wearing shoes a painful experience, or they can create chronic pain. We treat bunions at Redwood Orthopaedic Surgery Associates.
• Calluses
• Hammertoes
  If you believe you are in need of hammertoe or bunion treatment in Santa Rosa CA and surrounding areas, contact us at (707) 544-3400 or fill out our online contact form here to schedule a consultation.
• Foot Injuries
• Podiatric Surgery
  Dr. Thomas J. Chang is a board-certified and highly skilled podiatric surgeon with over 20 years of experience treating a wide range of foot and ankle conditions. He has been a staff member at Redwood Orthopaedic Surgery Associates since 2006. He is a Clinical Professor and Past Chairman of the Department of Podiatric Surgery at the California College of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco and the Past Chief of Podiatric Surgery at the UCSF/ Mt. Zion Medical Center.