Your Joint Journey

Joint replacement from Central Wisconsin's only comprehensive, coordinated joint replacement program

Welcome to Joint Journey

What’s a Joint Journey? A journey that helps you return to doing the things you love!

Joint replacement can extend and improve individuals’ quality of life using time-tested, effective materials and procedures. It can help alleviate pain and allow a return to daily activities.

The highly skilled surgeons at Stevens Point Orthopedics have been performing hip, knee, and shoulder replacements for more than 20 years. Our joint coordinator, Shawn Dombrowski, RN, has worked with thousands of joint patients over the last 10 years.

Renee Vande Laarschot, MS, PT, our joint physical therapist, has more than 20 years of experience and extensive knowledge working with total joint replacement patients.

Education is an important first step in helping patients prepare for their joint replacement at Stevens Point Orthopedics. Patients are encouraged to designate a “coach” to help and share in their Joint Journey.

Shawn and Renee meet individually with patients and their coaches prior to surgery, educating them on the surgical procedure and expectations, instructing them on pre-operative and post-operative exercises, and helping them acquire medical equipment.

They also meet with patients in the hospital, and follow up with them for several weeks after surgery.

Shawn and Renee work very closely with the entire SPO team to help provide an individualized and personalized experience. Patients are even provided with a direct cell or office number to contact Shawn or Renee with questions or concerns. Both are only a phone call away.

No other program in the area takes a more personalized, comprehensive approach to every facet of your joint replacement – from initial evaluation to full recovery.

Our unmatched experience and commitment to your health and well-being means you can trust Stevens Point Orthopedics with your joint replacement. Whether you live in Marshfield, Mosinee, Wisconsin Rapids, Waupaca, Wausau, the Northwoods, Plover, Stevens Point, or anywhere in between, we are here to provide you with an exceptional experience throughout your Joint Journey!

Learn More: 5 Tips For A Smooth Joint Journey

The Difference Between an Anterior and Posterior Hip Replacement

Shawn Dombrowski, RN

Joint Coordinator

Renee Vande Laarschot MS, PT

Joint Physical Therapist

Our Experts Are Ready To Help.

Shawn is very knowledgeable, and no question is too basic for her to answer. I left feeling she covered every detail, and I have complete confidence in her and Doctor Williams [for my joint replacement].

Three months out from shoulder surgery and the results are great! No longer have pain and have regained full range of motion. Dr. Troyer is a great surgeon.

Renee is an excellent therapist, love her!

Shawn is wonderful! I’ve been under her care for a couple of surgeries and she is caring, professional, knowledgeable, and very kind. She is a genuine asset to the clinic.

Dr. Haemmerle is an excellent doctor! He replaced my knee and will soon be doing surgery on a finger. He is caring and knowledgeable and listens to what you have to say!

Whatever concerns or frustrations I felt during this lengthy process of shoulder surgery, Dr. Troyer has eased my concerns and frustrations. His whole team is exceptional, however his knowledge, patience and experience is beyond words.

I’ve had Dr. Williams replace both of my hips and am entirely pleased with the results. I never thought that I would ever consent to a hip replacement but the pain got to the point where I was left with no option. Dr. Williams re-assured me that the procedure would give me the relief that I needed and he was right.

She [Renee] is very good and took all the time I needed to review what I had to do [for my joint replacement].

Shawn is a professional in every way. She carefully explains details in a warm and caring fashion.

Shawn is very friendly and professional. Never makes me feel rushed. Oh, and she really knows her stuff!

Dr. Troyer is a terrific surgeon. He did a total reverse shoulder surgery on me and the result is amazing, basically pain free and range of motion is returning quicker than I thought possible. He is the best, I highly recommend him.

Having a doctor/surgeon that through their experience, knowledge and understanding makes you feel your well-being and health is his primary goal is priceless. Having complete faith in your doctor after surgery and having them walk the road to recovery with you I believe is crucial to a strong, healthy healing process. Dr. Joshua Troyer gives me that piece of mind.

Patient Resources

To download your documents, click the “Download” button under your joint replacement type, and a zipped folder will be downloaded to your computer. To open this folder, either double-click or right click and select “Extract All”.