Dr. Ryan Cordry of OrthoSports Associates in Gardendale was shaped by life experiences to find medicine and his calling for orthopedic surgery. We recently had time to ask Dr. Cordry a little about his journey and the growth of Gardendale’s medical community.
Tell our readers about you and your journey to becoming a doctor.
I went to college fully expecting to become an attorney. My stepfather was a police officer and I was a strong student so I thought this fit me very well. While in college, however, I was encouraged to pursue a future in law by studying and majoring in my core strength of classes, namely science and mathematics.
After pursuing these courses and with much prayer, I realized that medicine was calling me more than law was. I applied and was accepted into medical school with the plan of being a primary care physician. While in medical school, I realized that I enjoyed working with my hands too much and the operating room was very exciting to me.
With a history of playing sports growing up and a father who was in a wheelchair most of my life, I decided orthopedic surgery was a great path for me.
What interested you in specializing in orthopedic surgery? What procedures do you focus on?
I focus on hip and knee replacements but do plenty of sports and fracture care as well. I enjoy the rapid return to activity and fulfillment my patients can enjoy in life after dealing with their chronic deteriorating joints for so long once they get them replaced.
Have you been surprised at the growth of the medical community in Gardendale? Do you have plans as a practice to grow in Gardendale?
Yes. Gardendale as a location for my practice was not on my radar until I expanded into this community several years ago. Now it seems there are new office practices and allied health practitioners sprouting up all over the area. We are constantly trying to grow our Gardendale practice and have recently joined the chamber of commerce as well.
How has orthopedic surgery improved over the last few years? Would it be fair to say that improvements would now allow people the opportunity to improve more quickly today?
Robotic assisted surgeries, decreasing in-patient stays for total joints, use of more regional anesthesia, and the ability to deliver services closer to peoples’ homes in their neighborhoods has really increased ease of access and delivery of care to more people. Also newer approaches to surgical exposures and new implants, devices, and biologic products have enhanced our abilities to perform these procedures successfully.
Feature Photo: Dr. Ryan Cordry. Photo courtesy of OrthoSports Associates.
