History

As a founding member of the New Mexico Bone & Joint Institute (NMB&JI), Douglas R. Dodson, DO, FICS, a joint replacement specialist, has been helping patients return to work, regain movement in their joints and enjoy a more pain free lifestyle. The practice, which started in Alamogordo in 1994, has since expanded to two additional locations in Las Cruces and Ruidoso, NM. NMB&JI now offers subspecialty care in orthopedics, podiatry, wound care and interventional spine pain management. Dr. Dodson is most proud of the fact that each of the physicians are Fellowship Trained with unique surgical skills beyond a normal residency.

“Our practice treats everything from the neck down to the feet and we are always looking for new ways to help our patients. Our physicians are pioneers in medicine and take leadership roles in providing the latest breakthroughs in healthcare technologies and services to our patients. New Mexico Bone & Joint Institute was the first in this area to perform total ankle replacement and Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty,” Dr. Dodson said.

New Total Joint innovations were also implemented early on at NMB&JI as Dr. Dodson worked on the Renovis/Kyocera total knee and total hip implant design team. Eric Freeh, D.O. FAOAO, is a fracture care and sports medicine specialist who joined the practice in 1996. He understands that providing the best all-around healthcare locally is important.

“Before the New Mexico Bone & Joint Institute, patients travelled to Albuquerque, Texas, or Arizona to get certain treatment. Now, patients are frequently referred to us from the outer areas of New Mexico, as well as from out of state as a result of our reputation for providing excellent, state-of-the-art care in our offices,” Dr. Freeh said.

Although originally known for its orthopedic services, the practice also offers world class podiatric services via John Joseph Anderson, DPM, FACFAS; Loren Spencer, DPM, FACFAS and Dr. Troy Shepherd, DPM. This unique and highly skilled group is trained to work on complex foot and ankle deformities, wounds, and injuries. Working on patients ranging from small children to professional athletes, they are able to help people get back on their feet, onward to work or play.

“Many people live with pain for years not knowing that there are solutions to their problems and often times minor surgeries that may improve their pain and function dramatically,” Dr. Anderson said.

NMB&JI has long been recognized for its success in Interventional Pain management. The practice was ahead of its time by providing excellent treatment protocols without the dependence on opioid narcotic medication. John Watkins, MD, heads up the interventional pain program.