About Us
Who is OrthoMO?
OrthoMissouri (or OrthoMO for short) is a musculoskeletal practice featuring six physicians and a friendly, seasoned staff to meet your needs.
> MO is the abbreviation for Missouri, which differentiates it
from other “M” states.
Why does this matter? It’s because we aim for “straight and upright” as it applies to both our patients and our practice. Patients want to return to their best life and as a practice, we promise straight talk. We will intently listen to you and keep all lines of communication open, every step of the way. We know that efficient service makes all the difference, so we promise to promptly take care of you. Just as the abbreviation of MO differentiates it from other states, we aim to distinguish our practice with our prompt attention.
What you can expect
Your best life is our goal. It’s that simple.
We have great confidence in the training and experience of our physicians. We trust our friendly and very capable staff to see you and hear you. New technology is always a bonus. And convenience! We do our best to provide for all your musculoskeletal needs under one roof (and if that’s not possible, we are on the phone to find the most suitable option for you). All of these are important and necessary to your experience. But equally important is our promise to promptly address your needs so you can return to your best life.
Some of our physicians maintain an individual website that offers a deeper educational dive about their specialty, including videos. Be sure to click on their website (within their bio) if you want to learn more!
Mahesh R. Bagwe, MD
Dr. Bagwe’s primary area of interest is lower extremity disorders. His specialties include: Foot and Ankle Surgery; Arthroscopic Surgery; Cartilage Repairs; Ankle Joint Replacements; Foot & Ankle Injections; Reconstructive Surgery; General Orthopedic Surgery; Sports Medicine; and Knee Surgery. He has been widely recognized and sought after for his innovative procedures that help patients regain their mobility.
With significant experience in the workers’ compensation arena, Dr. Bagwe often cares for those injured on the job. He frequently works with case managers and adjusters to provide prompt care, and offers evaluation and treatment, independent medical evaluations, and second opinion services.
David M. Brown, MD, FACS
A St. Louis native, Dr. David Brown is a board-certified hand surgeon who has dedicated his career to the care of patients with hand, wrist and elbow injuries.
Dr. Brown has been a recognized expert in workplace injuries to the upper extremity and has taken on some of our region's most complex and high-profile cases, applying his unique training in plastic and orthopedic surgery to a full spectrum of surgical and non-surgical conditions. In private practice since 1998, Dr. Brown has been recognized as a “Best Doctor in America” in Hand Surgery by his peers, and elected one of “America's Top Surgeons” specializing in Hand Surgery.
Known for his surgical skills and compassionate manner, Dr. Brown trained under the direction of some of the nation's most respected hand surgeons. After completing his undergraduate studies at Texas Christian University, he received his medical degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, where he later completed an orthopedic hand and upper extremity surgery fellowship with Dr. David P. Green, editor of the standard textbook used by hand surgeons worldwide. Dr. Brown performed his general surgery and plastic & reconstructive surgery residencies, as well as a reconstructive microsurgery research fellowship, at Washington University School of Medicine. His many professional affiliations include membership in the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, which requires additional training and subspecialty board certification. Highly regarded for his workplace injury expertise, he is frequently sought to speak on workers' compensation issues.
Board Certified Surgeon who specializes in the total care of the hand and upper extremity, including all aspects of surgical and non-surgical treatment of problems with the hand, wrist, forearm and elbow
Trained in both plastic and orthopedic surgery of the hand and upper extremity- Author of numerous articles published in the medical literature and invited speaker at national medical meetings
Lyndon B. Gross, MD, PhD
Dr. Gross is an Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in preventing, diagnosing and treating injuries related to participation in sports and/or exercise in patients of all ages. His area of specialty is sports medicine, specifically ailments of the shoulder, knee and elbow. He performs advanced arthroscopic, joint reconstruction and cartilage restoration procedures as well as shoulder and knee joint replacement surgery. He and his staff have truly raised the expectations of orthopedic care by treating their patients with compassion and flexibility in an effort to make the process of returning them to activities as convenient as possible.
Dr. Gross is the Team Physician for Lindbergh High School, and the St. Louis Bombers-Rugby. He is a Team Orthopedist for the St. Louis Cardinals and is honored to have two World Series rings. He has been selected by his peers as one of the Best Doctors in America since 2007, an honor only given to 5% of the doctors practicing in the U.S. Dr. Gross has penned serval publications and book chapters and has given countless presentations including most notably presenting to the International Olympic Committee in 2011 on Prevention of Injury & Illness in Sports.
Dr. Gross was one of the first Orthopedic Surgeons in the St. Louis area to earn his Subspecialty Certificate in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) in 2009. This is a new certification and is the standard of care in Sports Medicine care in conjunction with Fellowship training.
Dr. Gross is a former athlete who holds the distinction as an Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in sports medicine. He earned many awards in Football and Rugby including 1986 MVP Cornell Football and played for the USA Rugby East Sevens All Star Team from 1991-1992. Because of his previous athletic experience he truly understands the complexity and dynamics of treating an athlete.
As an African-American, Dr. Gross is proud to be a minority physician, one of the few practicing in St. Louis. He has been involved in several minority mentorship programs including Youth Life Line.
- Subspecialty Certified in Orthopedic Sports Medicine
- Team Physician for Lindbergh High School and St. Louis Bombers Rugby
- Honored to be voted by his peers as one of the Best Doctors in America since 2007
Van S Krueger, MD, MBA
Dual Fellowship Trained Orthopedic Surgeon
- Dr. Krueger has advanced training in both trauma and sports medicine allowing him to provide the most comprehensive care to the injured worker using both conservative and surgical modalities including minimally invasive arthroscopy, fracture treatment, and joint reconstruction.
- This training allows Dr. Krueger to provide optimal evaluation, timely diagnosis, and personalized, evidenced-based treatment for shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle injuries.
Leadership
- Board Eligible in Orthopedic Surgery with American Board of Orthopedic Surgery
- Dual subspecialty training in sports medicine, shoulder, and trauma
- Extensive team physician experience including San Diego State football and soccer, several junior colleges, professional rugby, and AHL hockey
Education:
- High School: Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School, St. Louis, MO
- College: Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME
- Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
- Business School: Cornell Tech at Johnson School of Management, New York, NY
- Residency: Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI
- Trauma Fellowship: Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI
- Sports Medicine Fellowship: San Diego Arthroscopy & Sports Medicine Fellowship, San Diego, CA
Paul E. Malak, MD, MPH, CHCQM
Dr. Paul Malak is an occupational medicine physician and corporate medical director. He is board certified in occupational and environmental medicine with more than 25 years of experience in corporate health.
He specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries, illnesses, and harmful exposures in workers. Dr. Malak is an expert on federal and state regulations for workforce health and safety, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) to develop comprehensive treatment plans, perform regulatory examinations, and follow-up care.
Dr. Malak received his medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine and earned his board certification in Occupational and Environmental Medicine Specialty from the University of Pennsylvania in Pennsylvania. He knows the value of timeliness, the language for reporting, and the significance for a continuum of care for both the employer and the employee.
He provides a broad range of services, which include immigration medical examinations, DOT examinations, and travel medicine and vaccinations. For occupational health specifically, Dr. Malak provides work injury treatment and causation evaluations, drug and alcohol testing, pre-placement exams, executive and firefighter exams, audiograms, pulmonary-function testing, and respirator fit testing. He also runs regulatory exams for asbestos, hexavalent chromium, lead and silica.
As a leader in occupational medicine and employee health and wellness, Dr. Malak offers a wealth of experience to OrthoMissouri and is committed to delivering the highest standard of quality health care to employees and their employers.
- Board certified in Occupational Medicine
- Certified Medical Examiner by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for the Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Certified Civil Surgeon
- Fluent in English and Arabic
Husam T. Nawas, MD, FAAOS
Mitchell B. Rotman, MD
Mitchell B. Rotman, MD is a Board-Certified Orthopedic surgeon who specializes in total care of the hand, elbow, and shoulder, including pediatric and congenital deformities, joint replacement, arthroscopy, nerve and microsurgery
- Internationally known expert on endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery and anatomy
- Author of numerous articles published in the medical literature and invited speaker at national medical meetings