Nathaniel Stewart, MD

Dr. Stewart is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee surgery in Eau Claire, Altoona, Rice Lake, and Chippewa Falls.

Hip Preservation

Dr. Stewart treats a variety of hip conditions with techniques collectively referred to as hip preservation. This includes hip arthroscopy, labral repair, tendon repairs, and osteotomies. As the most experienced hip arthroscopist in Western Wisconsin, Dr. Stewart began performing hip arthroscopy in 2000. As an orthopedic surgeon at the forefront of arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), Dr. Stewart has collaborated with the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire on research into the relationship between sports participation and FAI. Current research includes how FAI can lead to hip arthritis.

Hip Replacement

In December of 2013, Dr. Stewart began using the direct anterior (DA) approach for hip replacement surgery in the vast majority of patients. Currently, all his primary hip replacements are done through the direct anterior (DA) approach. While he switched to the direct anterior approach to improve patient recovery, his original research, published in January of 2016 (1), demonstrated increased accuracy of component positioning when total hips performed through the direct anterior approach are compared with the posterior approach.

In the spring of 2016, Dr. Stewart added the MAKO Robot to his total hip and total knee operations. After some 600 robotic hips in 2022, Dr. Stewart was the first surgeon in the world to use artificial intelligence in hip replacement surgery. In collaboration with Orthogrid AI, the first artificial-intelligence fluoroscopic anterior total hip was performed in March of 2022 at Oakleaf Surgical Hospital. This has allowed the most efficient, accurate hip replacement currently available. Dr. Stewart has found Orthogrid AI to be as accurate as robotic hip replacement with a smaller incision and less radiation for the patient. He continues to use MAKO robotics for his knee replacement patients.

Knee Surgery

Dr. Stewart performs knee arthroscopy, including meniscal root repair. Most of his knee replacements are done with robotics, which improves recovery and balance. Robotic joint replacement is performed at both Oakleaf Surgical Hospital and Cedar Crest Surgical Center in Rice Lake.

Personal History

After completing his residency training at the Mayo Clinic in 1997, Dr. Stewart worked for Mayo. He joined Chippewa Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Clinic in 2003. He is grateful for the trust that patients and referring physicians have placed in him over these years. He is also thankful to the staff at Oakleaf Surgical Hospital and CedarCrest Surgery Center for their partnership in providing quality, state-of-the-art care. Their dedication and hard work enable Dr. Stewart and the other members of Chippewa Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Clinic to provide exceptional orthopedic care to the Chippewa Valley and to many patients who travel here for care.

When not working, Dr. Stewart enjoys time at his hobby farm in Colfax with his two sons, their wives, and his two grandchildren.

Medical School (1992)