Profile:
I was born and raised in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. After I finished undergraduate studies in 1963, Medical School in 1967 and General Surgery at the Marshfield Clinic in 1969, I completed my orthopedic residency from 1969-1972 at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. I practiced medicine for two years as a Lt. Commander in the United States Navy from 1972-1974.

After an honorable discharge from the Military in 1974, I returned to Eau Claire, Wisconsin and practiced as a Board Certified Orthopedist with my father and my brother. Our group was called Ihle Orthopedic Clinic and grew from three doctors to seven orthopedic surgeons. I practiced general orthopedics with an interest in shoulder and knee reconstruction and spine.

I have had experience with knee ligament repairs, total knee replacements, total hip replacements, micro laminectomies and diskectomies as well as spinal fusions. I did posterior fusions using pedicle screws and rods. Our practice did hire a Fellowship trained spine surgeon as a significant sub-specialty for our clinic. My favorite was ORIF of fracture and other fracture care.

Because I had had multiple rotator cuff surgeries, three on my right and two on my left, in the 1990's, I did have to retire from active practice. This was due to pain and muscle spasms and subsequent poor function of my shoulders.

I began a consulting business and over the past 13 years have done independent medical examinations for personal injury cases, workman's compensation cases and medical malpractice cases. I have performed approximately 850 independent medical record exams and medical record reviews.

I have managed to balance my business between both plaintiff and defense and cannot be labeled as working exclusively for either. At the present time, my practice is approximately 60 percent plaintiff and 40 percent defense cases. This percentage has held for the last 12 years.

Primary Area of Expertise:
Orthopedics