Dr. Michael Baer is a lower extremity reconstruction specialist, focusing on arthritis care of the hip and knee joints. He is an expert on partial and total hip and knee replacement surgeries, in both the primary and complex revision settings.
A native of Edina, Minnesota, hip and knee surgeon Michael Baer, M.D., grew up in a busy household with three brothers. In high school, he had a complex knee injury that was treated by surgeon at Summit Orthopedics. “I’m a living testament to the power of great musculoskeletal care and the outstanding care patients receive at Summit,” Dr. Baer said.
Dr. Michael Baer’s background
After completing undergraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Baer earned his medical degree at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, followed by a residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Minnesota Medical School. After residency, he attended the renowned Scripps Clinic Adult Reconstruction Fellowship, where he received specialized training in simple and complex hip and knee arthroplasty, revision arthroplasty, and nonarthroplasty joint preservation.
During his medical and orthopedic training, he found it rewarding to work with people who are severely disabled by their hip or knee arthritis, suffering painful symptoms that require them to alter their lifestyles in a way that aren’t acceptable to them. “Getting those individuals back to doing the activities they find meaningful, even if it’s just getting around and being able to play with the grandkids, is highly rewarding,” Dr. Baer said.
Dr. Michael Baer’s practice philosophy
Another aspect of hip and knee care Dr. Baer enjoys is getting to know his patients as he helps them along their treatment journeys. “In this specialty, you don’t just meet someone and operate. It’s a longer relationship. I enjoy spending time with my patients up front, answering their questions, and helping them understand what is causing their limitation. Then, I lay out the options, and we work together to figure out what works best for that individual at that time in the person’s life,” he said. “Spending ample time at the beginning leads to a high rate of successful surgeries that get patients back to a life that they’ll enjoy and find meaningful.”
Overall, Dr. Baer said, “I’m your neighborhood orthopedic surgeon with a primary goal of helping people through the complex issues that come from musculoskeletal injuries and arthritis. I use a collaborative approach to figure out what works best for my patients and their lifestyles, to get them back to that life.”
When to seek treatment for your arthritis
Arthritis doesn’t have to spell the end of an active life. If you are experiencing worrisome symptoms or persistent pain, the renowned arthritis specialists at Summit Orthopedics can help. We work with you to confirm a diagnosis and develop an appropriate conservative treatment plan. If nonsurgical treatments fail to support your lifestyle goals, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons will consult with you and discuss appropriate surgical options. Summit is home to innovative joint replacement options. Our Vadnais Heights Surgery Center is one of a select few nationally to receive The Joint Commission’s Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement.
Start your journey to healthier joints. Find your arthritis expert, schedule an appointment online, or call us at (651) 968–5201 to schedule a consultation.
Summit has convenient locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We have state-of-the-art centers for comprehensive orthopedic care in Eagan, MN, Plymouth, MN, Vadnais Heights, MN, and Woodbury, MN, as well as additional community clinics throughout the metro and southern Minnesota.
