Jeffrey A. Furmanek, D.O.

“My training has taught me to understand that the human body is a complex sum of its parts with an innate ability to heal. My role as an orthopedic surgeon can be an important part of this natural process.”

Check out these Ask the Expert articles from Dr. Furmanek to answer the questions:

Early interest in medicine and helping people

For as long as Dr. Furmanek can remember, he has been interested in science, anatomy, and physiology, and in helping people. “I have always been interested in how the human body works,” he explains. “When I got my undergraduate degree in exercise physiology and biomechanics, all the pieces came together. I went on to earn my doctor of osteopathy degree and do a fellowship in sports medicine and arthroscopy.”

Understanding the osteopathic credentials

When patients ask about Dr. Furmanek’s osteopathic credential, he answers that a doctor of osteopathy is credentialed like other physician, but with a specific philosophical approach to patient care. “Osteopathy sees the body as a connected whole,” he explains. “We learn a lot of musculoskeletal care and study manipulative techniques to treat the spine, joints, and muscles. My training made for a nice transition into orthopedics. When I see patients, I am not just treating a hip or knee or shoulder or elbow. I ask my patients what else is going on in their life that may affect their joint. By understanding their work, daily activities, repetitive chores, hobbies, and any sports-related injuries, I can treat patients based on a whole picture of their life—not just an X-ray.”

Dr. Furmanek’s specialties and team coverage

Dr. Jeffrey Furmanek’s practice is focused on sports medicine for children and adults. In addition to seeing individual patients, he cares for athletes at the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, staffing football games, working with athletes in the training room, and caring for the student athletes throughout the year. When surgery is appropriate, Dr. Furmanek’s arthroscopic training is reflected in his specialty areas: surgeries of the shoulder and knee.

Learn more about arthroscopy in the article: Ask Dr. Furmanek – What Is Arthroscopy?

“I feel really blessed to go to work to do something that I enjoy, and that helps people to live the life they love,” he says. “It’s great to see my patients do well. We all know what it’s like to be inconvenienced. Movement is life. Activity is life. It’s encouraging to me to see people wanting to be doing things. My patients inspire me to contribute to their goals. When they tell me, “Thanks, doc,” that’s what it’s all about. It’s good for the soul to be able to lend a helping hand to other people.”