Dane C Hansen, DO

Dr. Dane Hansen’s Approach to Care

“Arthritis patients have high expectations for their activity level. With advanced training in minimally invasive surgical techniques and quick-recovery joint replacement, I strive to help my patients return to their fully active lifestyle as quickly as possible.”

Dr. Dane Hansen may have left Minnesota to pursue his medical studies and fellowship in hip and knee arthritis and joint replacement, but he’ll be the first to tell you that the Twin Cities are home. “I grew up playing sports here in Roseville, and played baseball while attending college at Bethel,” he smiles. “My wife grew up in Mahtomedi, and we are delighted to be back in Minnesota. I think that my straightforward approach to medicine reflects my personality. I take the time to educate my patients about their condition, so we can identify treatment options and decide together what needs to be done, and how I can help them through the process.”

A Practice Focused on Arthritis Care for Patients of a Wide Range of Ages

Dr. Hansen’s practice is focused on hip and knee arthritis and joint replacement for patients ranging in age from teenagers to active grandparents. “When I started my training, I thought I would go into sports medicine,” he remembers. “But as a resident, I had a rotation in joint replacement that opened my eyes and broke down my own stereotype about arthritis as an old-age disease. In my residency, I saw how arthritis can affect active people in their 30s and 40s. I treated marathon runners, downhill skiers, and other dedicated athletes. This was not the patient population I expected to see with arthritis—and that piqued my interest.”

A Conservative-First Approach Before Surgery

The challenge of treating arthritic conditions led Dr. Hansen to a fellowship in adult hip and knee reconstruction, where he learned minimally invasive surgical techniques to limit tissue and joint trauma, and gained extensive experience treating complex cases. “My fellowship was a great experience,” he explains. “To give people the best care, you want to offer a depth of expertise. My goal is always to treat patients conservatively with medication and other therapies before considering surgery. Some people can function adequately with arthritis for decades, and may not ever need surgery. For others, if they can’t ride their bike 50 miles a week, they want to know about surgical options that will help them stay on their bike. My job is to help patients understand all of their options so they can make choices that will get them back to the life they love.”

Empowering Patients Through Education

Education is at the center of Dr. Hansen’s approach to patient care. “Patients are intelligent and want to make their own decisions,” he says. “They want to find the doctor who will do the best job at making them feel comfortable. My job is not to convince people that they need surgery. My job is to educate my patients about their condition, so they understand what arthritis is, what the prognosis is, and what their options are.

“It all comes down to quality of life. Everyone has different lifestyle goals. No matter how old or young we are, all of us have something we are passionate about. Getting my patients to the point where they can do the things they love? That is what’s rewarding for me.”

Check Out More Helpful Educational Articles From Dr. Dane Hansen

Helpful Basics for Hip and Knee Care:

• What Are The Causes Of Knee And Hip Joint Pain?

Cortisone Injections:

• How Do Cortisone Shots Work?
• How Long Does a Cortisone Shot Last?

Arthritis Medication and Opioids:

• Researchers Compare NSAIDs And Opioids For Osteoarthritis Pain Relief

• Making The Right Medication Choices For Acute And Chronic Arthritic Pain