Dr. Joseph E. Burkhardt, DO

Media Releases

Get to know Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Joseph E. Burkhardt, who serves patients in Michigan.

A fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Burkhardt offers his services at Bronson Orthopedic Specialists – Heritage Oak Lane & Bronson Orthopedic Specialists – Marshall. He can also be found on staff at Brookside Surgery Center.

The doctor’s areas of expertise include foot and ankle, hand and elbow, hip, hip joint replacement, hip joint revision, hip resurfacing, knee, knee joint replacement, knee joint revision, orthopedic surgery, orthopedic trauma, orthopedics, robotic-assisted knee joint replacement, shoulder, shoulder joint replacement, and sports medicine. 

“When I go to work every day, I don’t think of it as a job. It’s a way for me to make a difference in someone’s life—someone who’s hurting, in pain, can’t walk or has lost hope. I get to know that person’s personality and social side and then partner with him or her to put together a game plan that works toward a reliable outcome that gets results. It’s so gratifying to be involved in someone’s life like that” expressed Dr. Burkhardt. 

His father was a physician, and from an early age, Dr. Burkhardt knew he wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon. The visual nature and mechanics of how things fit together and work as a whole intrigued him and reminded him of how the bones, joints, and muscles of the body work together to keep you moving.

On his academic path, he received his Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Kansas City University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1995. 

Thereafter, Dr. Burkhardt completed his internship and residency in orthopedic surgery at Garden City Hospital, followed by his fellowship in adult joint reconstruction and sports medicine at The Florida Knee & Orthopedic Centers at the University of South Florida. 

Dedicated to surgical excellence, he is board-certified in orthopedic surgery by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery (AOBOS). The AOBOS is an organization that provides board certification to qualified Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine who specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

In 2016, Dr. Burkhardt performed the region’s first robotics-assisted total knee joint replacement using the Navio Surgical System. he is very excited about the future of this technology and what it means for his patients.

Orthopedic surgery is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and non-surgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.

Happily married, Dr. Burkhardt and his wife have four children. He enjoys a variety of hobbies, including boating, playing hockey, woodworking, scuba diving, truck restoration, and large-species sport fishing. He also has a special interest in youth development hockey in Battle Creek, Michigan, and the surrounding areas.

Recommended Articles

• Spine Doctors vs. Chiropractors

  Patients may often ask themselves which doctor they should see for their back pain. Studies have shown that chiropractors provide effective treatment for back pain. However, chiropractors cannot treat all causes of back pain because there are also conditions that should be diagnosed and treated by a...

• The History of Muscular Dystrophy

  What is muscular dystrophy?Muscular dystrophy is an inherited disorder, which is often characterized by a progressive type of muscular degeneration and weakness. There are several types of muscular dystrophy, wherein each type eventually leads to an increased disability, strength loss, and potential...

• How to Prepare for a Laminectomy

  Laminectomy is a procedure where a surgeon removes a part or more parts of your vertebrae or any ligaments on your spinal cord that exert pressure on the nerves. Laminectomy is said to be the most common back surgery performed for disability and pain. The following are some expectations before,...

• Scoliosis Symptoms and Causes

  Scoliosis often occurs in kids below the age of puberty. Some of the most common signs of scoliosis happen to be the following:...

• What Type of Disorder Is Arthritis?

  Arthritis is a chronic disorder that affects the musculoskeletal system. A person diagnosed with arthritis can have very uncomfortable pain in one or more than one joint in their body. Sometimes, arthritis may cause disability. Arthritis can also be caused by bacterial or viral infections,...

• How Can I Manage Tendinitis?

  How Can I Manage Tendinitis?Tendinitis, the inflammation of the tendon, can cause acute pain and tenderness just outside the affected joints.  It commonly affects shoulders, elbows, wrists, and heels. The affected region may have stiffness that restricts movement. It is also characterized by mild...