There’s a new bone place in town by way of a new physical therapy clinic and its administration says their new facilities off U.S. Highway 231 boast a full array of equipment and professionals for the “entire body.”
The staff, administrators and owners of Southern Orthopaedic Surgeons Physical Therapy mingled with members of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce and local municipal leaders at a “welcome to the neighborhood” party late last Thursday afternoon.
It was the official grand opening for the independent practice in the area, though it has been operating for a few months now.
The event started with an “open house”-style tour of their facilities beginning in the lobby and waiting area and with its technologically savvy digital kiosks.
CEO Ryan Luchner guided some visitors on a light-hearted walk through the areas most would prefer never to step foot, given they generally entail some kind of bone, joint or muscular malady.
However, in the absence of those ailments, Luchner’s explanation of the facility’s development, its clinic space, equipment room and six exam rooms was well received by those in his brief tour.
“We treat the entire body, so I like to say from toenails to total joints we do it all,” said Luchner to laughs.” Then, on a more serious note, Luchner said “We run the entire body, so you know upper, lower extremities, sports spine, fatigue, etc.”
Hanging on the walls of their clinic area are the jerseys donated by local schools of their various sports teams, which Luchner said was fitting there since they had treated a number of those athletes.
He said they had a diverse patient base spanning all ages from high school juniors to senior citizens.
“We’ve got a pretty good mix, we see patients from four days or so old to end of life. We operated on a lady the other day that was 103. We run the entire gamut,” Luchner said.
Director of Operations Brad Cochrane said the practice was new only to Wetumpka, with facilities in most major surrounding areas of the River Region.
The doctor in the house that day, Dr. Jason Randall, said there was a small group of his patients that had already switched locations, opting for services closer to home.
“I think everybody’s glad to be seen in Wetumpka,” said Randall.
Executive Director of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce Gerry Purcell added, “You made their day, literally.”
Later at the ribbon cutting, it was a point reiterated by both Mayor Jerry Willis and Elmore County Revenue Commissioner Lee Macon that previous orthopedic patients, having the new facilities in the area would save on travel and time for those who sought them.
Randall is one of the practice’s 11 physicians who make up its ownership, Luchner said, adding it also staffed five occupational therapists and nine physical therapy assistants.
Having been open in the area since July, Luchner said they were accepting new patients.
“We’re always willing to see more. We pride ourselves on being able to see patients within 24 hours of a phone call,” said Luchner. “If a patient was to walk in and want to be seen we can accommodate that most of the time.”
He said the practice was formed in 1996.
