Tesson Heights Orthopaedics physicians offer the best possible care for patients suffering from sports related injuries and have extensive experience in the treatment of common overuse and trauma-induced injuries. As part of our total approach to treatment, we provide patients with personalized care that includes physical therapy and training recommendations. Our physicians are trained in the latest minimally invasive techniques such as arthroscopy of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and knee. 

Dr. Thomas Lee, Dr. Amy Zippay, along with nurse practitioner Susan Morris, specialize in back and neck pain due to injury, deformity, and degenerative conditions.  They provide complete diagnostic treatment and rehabilitation capabilities, as well as preventive interventions.  Following a thorough evaluation, Tesson Heights Orthopaedics employs the latest technology and techniques including advanced surgical and nonsurgical interventions for treatment and recovery.

Surgical procedures are chosen with an eye toward minimizing pain, hospital stay, recovery time, and cost. Your orthopaedic surgeon will help you determine whether surgery is right for you. 

Age, stress, and disease can make joints stiffen in much the same way as wear and a lack of lubrication can cause stiffness and squeaking in a door hinge.  The most common cause of joint pain is arthritis, afflicting nearly 20% of the US population.  One of the most effective treatments for certain types of joint pain is total joint replacement. 

Our surgeons have extensive specialty training in total joint replacements including secondary or revision joint replacement surgery.  One special area of interest is alternative joint replacement procedures for younger patients, in which we employ prostheses made of advanced materials like titanium, ceramic, and new plastic joint liners that help to extend the lifetime of the new joint. 

We offer patients in the St. Louis area the latest techniques and technology for the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of hand problems, including carpal tunnel syndrome, thumb arthritis, ganglion cysts, and tendonitis of the wrist.  Our physicians also provide expert, comprehensive care for shoulder and elbow pain sufferers.  Treatment is tailored to the patient’s specific needs and includes conservative treatments like splinting, cortisone injections, and anti-inflammatory medications as well as minimally invasive procedures like arthroscopy.  In cases of severe joint degeneration, our surgeons can offer patients the option of a total shoulder replacement surgery.

Pain Management

Pain management starts with the initial evaluation.  Our pain management physiatrist, Dr. Amy Zippay works with the patient to find out what the patient’s goals are, what the patient has tried in the past, then to devise a plan with each individual patient to reach their specific goals.  Conservative treatment is always the 1st line of treatment including education for prevention of pain reoccurrences and ways to alleviate pain now.  We have numerous modalities available such as physical therapy and pain patches. In addition to  medications to treat pain.  Injections could be in the joint or spine, if necessary.  Each patient is different with very individualized needs.  The key to appropriate care and pain relief is listening and identifying the main source of pain.