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Therapy Locations

bryan west medical plaza

Bryan Medical Center,
Bryan West Campus
2300 S. 16th St.
Lincoln, NE 68502

bryan lifepointe

Bryan LifePointe
7501 S. 27th Street
Lincoln, NE 68512

crete area medical center

Crete Area Medical Center
2910 Betten Drive
Crete, NE 68333

merrick medical center 260x138

Merrick Medical Center
1715 26th St.
Central City, NE 68826

Pre-Op, Post-Op and Post-Surgery Therapy

Our rehabilitation programs follow individualized post surgery rehabilitation protocols. We strive to minimize the effects of your surgery such as pain and swelling and to provide you with strength, function and mobility. Our programs include:

  • Individualized treatment plans
  • Nationally certified and state licensed clinicians
  • Processes to identify and target specific deficits
  • Short-term, achievable goals

Goals are established by you, your physical therapist and/or occupational therapist after your thorough evaluation. Our ultimate goal is to help you resume your normal activities of living so you can enjoy the fulfilling life you deserve.

Post-Operative Procedures

Our highly skilled staff have been trained and educated to work with a variety of post-operative procedures:
  • Total Joint Replacements
    This is a surgery in which the worn surfaces of the joint are removed and replaced with a new metal surface. Rehab starts within a few hours after surgery and continues for the next three months or longer. You will learn how to use your new joint and return to normal activities.
  • Ligament and Tendon Repairs
    A surgical procedure to correct damaged and torn tendons. Most common examples include rotator cuff repair and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.
  • Open Reduction Internal Fixation
    Often abbreviated as ORIF, this is a method of surgically repairing a fractured bone. Generally this involves either the use of plates and screws or a rod to stabilize the bone.
  • Amputations
    The removal of a body part which may or may not be replaced with a prosthesis. Our staff is trained in working with various prosthetic needs, including above knee, below knee, partial foot, arm and finger.
  • Nerve Compression Release
    The release of various nerve restrictions that are causing pain and numbness. Examples of this are carpal tunnel release, and ulnar nerve transposition.
  • Tendon Transfers or Repairs
    Various tendons in the body may rupture and be repaired or reattached. Examples of this are Achilles repair, finger and hand tendon repair, biceps tenodesis, ankle reconstruction.
  • Joint Fusion
    In the case where a joint has degenerated to the point of constant pain and decrease function, the physician may elect to fuse the joint. 

Low Back and Cervical Surgeries

  • Discectomy
    This is a procedure in which a portion of the disc that rests between each vertebra is removed.
  • Foramenotomy
    This procedure is used to relieve pressure on a nerve by removing a portion of the bone and other tissue that may be compressing it as it exits the spinal column.
  • Laminectomy
    This procedure is performed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord itself. It is most commonly used to treat conditions such as spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis.
  • Spine Fusion
    This procedure is done to eliminate motion between two adjacent vertebra. It is usually performed to treat an unstable spine.
  • Joint Fusion
    A surgery in which the two bones on each end of the joint are fused.  This will eliminate joint motion thus reducing pain caused by arthritis or injury.

Pre-Operative Physical Therapy

Physical therapy may be prescribed before surgery to maximize joint motion and overall strength and endurance. This will help you recover more quickly after your operation. It also may be indicated to teach you what to expect and what to do on your own immediately or shortly after your surgery.


Schedule an Appointment Today

Bryan Medical Center:
To schedule an appointment, call 402-481-5121
For information and questions, call 402-481-9445

Crete Area Medical Center:
To schedule an appointment, call 402-826-6541

Merrick Medical Center:
To schedule an appointment, call 308-946-3015

traci carey

Traci Carey, physical therapist

Traci Carey, PT, DPT, earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a doctorate in physical therapy at University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2004. She has worked in outpatient orthopedics and sports medicine, inpatient acute, skilled nursing, rehabilitation and home health settings. Traci’s outpatient expertise includes treating spine and orthopedic diagnoses and amputees, manual therapy and Graston-technique trained, shoulder rehabilitation and gait/running analysis. She currently is Eastern district co-chair for the Nebraska Physical Therapy Association.

Provides therapy at: Bryan West Campus

justin hash

Justin Hash, physical therapist

Justin Hash, PT, MTC, CSCS, earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and earned his physical therapy degree at Mayo School of Health Sciences in Rochester, Minn. He completed his certification in manual therapy from the University of St. Augustine. He has expertise in treating spine pain, orthopedic and sports injuries and hand injuries, using tools that include creating custom splints, functional dry needling, gait analysis and creating custom foot orthotics. He treats injuries with a focus on returning to work. 

Provides therapy at: Bryan LifePointe Campus

brad howe

Brad Howe, PT

Brad Howe, MS, PT, earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from Midland College and a master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He has trained as a teaching assistant for postural health restoration, and his other work specialties include orthopedics, sports medicine, back pain, and vertigo/vestibular rehabilitation. 

Provides therapy at: Crete Area Medical Center

Heather Kalkwarf, PT, DPT

Heather Kalkwarf, PT, DPT earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science at Nebraska Wesleyan University, and a doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2014. She has worked in both outpatient and acute care settings. Heather specializes in post-operative rehabilitation, orthopedic injuries, spine rehab and acute care medical patients. She is certified in functional dry needling.

Provides therapy at: Crete Area Medical Center

jeff schultz

Jeff Schultz, PT, Crete Area Medical Center Rehabilitation Manager

Jeff Schultz, PT, received his bachelor’s degree in physical therapy at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. Jeff has been a member of the CAMC team for over 30 years. His special interests at work include geriatrics, general orthopedics, and acute and skilled medical-surgical patients. Jeff also performs the Frail to Fit program at CAMC, which evaluates patients for deficits in strength, flexibility, and balance and sets up a rehab program involving functional activities to individually address a patient's concerns. 

Robb SchnitzlerRobb Schnitzler, PT, Astym Certified

Robb earned a bachelor of science degree in education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a bachelor of science degree in physical therapy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha. He has worked at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota, Grand Island Physical Therapy, and for the past 25 years has provided care at Litzenberg Memorial County Hospital. He received Astym certification in 2015. He enjoys working with patients in outpatient rehab, acute care, and skilled nursing settings. His professional focus includes orthopedics, post-operative rehabilitation, sports medicine, geriatrics, back and neck rehab, and work injuries.

Provides therapy at: Merrick Medical Center

Melissa Gragg, MPT Melissa Gragg, MPT

Melissa earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Nebraska in Kearney, Nebraska, and a master of arts degree in physical therapy from Rockhurst University. She has worked in many settings, including acute care, acute rehab, outpatient rehab, home health, pediatric clinic, public school and skilled rehab. She has extensive experience in Nervo-based therapies such as CVA, TBIY, and SCI. She also is certified in level one functional dry needling. 

Provides physical therapy at: Merrick Medical Center

christina flodmanChristina Flodman, OTD, OTR/L

earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from Done College in Crete, Nebraska, and a clinical doctorate degree in occupational therapy from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She has worked in skilled care nursing, home health, acute care and outpatient rehab settings. Christina has a passion for geriatrics and dementia patients. She received LSTV-BIG certification, and enjoys implementing that in her practice.

Provides therapy at: Merrick Medical Center

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