New Campus, Expanded Physical Therapy, and Innovation Serve QC Patients
Lost Nation Volunteer Fire Chief, Robert Atkinson, 45, has no time for pain. A 27-year veteran of the Lost Nation Fire Company, Atkinson leads a force responsible for protecting the life, property and welfare of residents within a 100 square-mile district in northeast Iowa. He carries that load on broad shoulders, along with the responsibilities of fatherhood, community leader, and serving as a job site foreman over homebuilder crews.
Carrying life’s burdens can lead to injury. Robert’s arm was going numb. A physical therapist identified the source of numbness and pain in his neck, and an MRI confirmed three herniated discs. ORA Orthopedics’ Spine Surgeon, Dr. Myles Luszczyk, offered an option open to area patients who previously may have traveled to a larger city for the procedure.
Dr. Luszczyk says although cervical fusions remain the mainstay of treatment for many surgical conditions involving the cervical spine, disc replacements are becoming viable options for patients.
“The major benefit of a disc replacement is that it is a motion-preserving procedure. The difference between the two procedures is that while one procedure fuses the disc, so it never moves again, the other involves inserting a metal implant that allows neck motion to be preserved. With a cervical disc replacement, we actually insert a new cervical disc implant, made of the same type of hardware material we use for knee and hip replacements.”
For Robert, the procedure not only preserved his neck motion, but allowed him to protect his career and lifestyle. “The surgery took about 45 minutes, and I was home the next day. I never took any pain pills and after PT, I was back to work within a couple of weeks.”
Robert’s story is emblematic of ORA’s goal to tailor innovative, cost- and time-saving treatments and procedures closer to home. From robotic surgery to the first practice in Iowa to perform ultra minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery, ORA’s fellowship-trained surgeons balance innovation with proven methods.
“Our goal is to offer patients the expertise, trust, and most accessible bone and musculoskeletal care in the Quad Cities,” says ORA Medical Director, Dr. J.C. Clark. “Quite simply, we are the largest, most experienced and preferred orthopedic practice in the region.”
Breaking New Ground
ORA’s newest effort to provide groundbreaking and convenient care is currently underway as construction continues on its new orthopedic campus, located near the TBK Sports Bettendorf Complex, Competition Drive. ORA is expanding its medical, outpatient surgery, and physical therapy facilities to a 113,000 square-foot clinic, surgery center, and administrative headquarters.
ORA CEO Ken Brockman says the new facility will feature a 51,000 square-foot orthopedic outpatient surgical center with 10 operating rooms and 2 procedure rooms; 14,000 square-feet of physical and occupational therapy space with a therapy pool; an advanced imaging suite with MRI, CT, and Digital X-Ray; clinical offices for orthopedic surgeons with a specialized orthopedic focused walk-in Urgent OrthoCARE, as well as administrative offices to be headquartered at the new campus.
The project will be opening in the spring of 2026.
“As leaders in sports medicine, our new location will also provide synergy with TBK’s expansion of its Bettendorf Complex in golf and other sports facilities,” adds Dr. Edward Connolly, ORA orthopedic surgeon and practice president. “The campus will replace our Bettendorf Crow Valley Clinic, but our other clinics in Silvis, northwest Davenport, Moline, Geneseo, Dewitt, Muscatine, and Clinton will remain open.”
Physical Therapy and Orthopedic Surgeons form Integrated Care Teams
Looking ahead in 2025, ORA’s Physical Therapy practice continues to grow, as its physical and occupational therapy providers work directly with ORA’s surgeons and physician assistants on patient care and rehabilitation. This level of collaboration pays off.
Just ask Pleasant Valley and SAU graduate heptathlete Maxwell Stoos, whose sports medicine surgeon and physical therapists worked together to ensure he was back hurdling for the Bees. As a runner and indoor heptathlete, Maxwell’s event is punishing. “It’s seven events that include the 60-meter dash, 60-meter hurdles, both long and high jumps, shotput, pole vault and 1K run.”
Overtraining and injury led him to St. Ambrose University team physician, Dr. Andrew Bries, who successfully treated a stress fracture and coordinated his rehab plan with ORA therapy providers Brittany Jordan and Kaitlyn Mejia. Brittany explains, “The challenge with elite runners and dedicated athletes of all ages is really understanding why we put them through specific rehab regimens that also helps them to become knowledgeable about their limits.
“His track events are really demanding, so we continued his education and reiterated the continuance of his exercises. We talked about his current team strengthening plan and even added some suggestions and exercises so each of his legs were strong on their own.”
ORA’s uniquely integrated approach results in a stronger integrated collaboration between the physician and physical therapist that, in turn, improves communication allowing the physical therapist to consult in real-time with an ORA physician on-site. Combining the sports-fellowship training and experience of our physicians with the rehab knowledge and skill of our therapists helps athletes achieve and even exceed their goals.
“Not only was I back in competition, but I also felt like a VIP,” adds Maxwell. “It was like I had personal trainers and a personal gym.” In addition to traditional rehab, ORA therapists also train athletes in injury prevention and improving athletic performance. ORA Director of Therapy, Eric Allen, says ORA Physical Therapy has created specific programs for golf, tennis, running, and throwing.
“Our therapists who have a strong expertise in specific areas of rehabilitation develop these programs to break down appropriate techniques, improve an athlete’s skill set, and provide education on their injury and sport. From recreational to academic and elite athletes, we strive to train and help prevent future injuries and improve athletic performance.”
Convenient. Cost-effective. Patient-Centered.
“We are always looking for ways for patients to easily seek orthopedic treatment, while also reducing medical costs and providing convenient access to orthopedic care,” adds Dr. Connolly.
To do so, ORA boasts a network of seven walk-in Urgent OrthoCARE clinics in Bettendorf, Davenport, Moline, Clinton, Muscatine, Silvis, and Geneseo, with evening and weekend hours where patients can avoid the emergency room. Patients can walk right in without an appointment.
“It’s all about convenience, value, and patient-centered care,” explains Dr. Connolly. “We respect our patients’ time. For traditional visits, you can even check physicians’ schedules online and make your own appointment directly, without needing a referral from your primary care provider.
“More than ever, new treatments, outpatient surgery, minimally invasive surgical techniques, regenerative therapies, and comprehensive physical and occupational therapy, work together to help patients of all ages return to the activities they enjoy.
“As orthopedic medicine continues to advance, our employees remain committed to our communities and mission to rejuvenate their quality of life.”
