Physical Therapy Spotlight: David Tranchita, MA, PT, OCS, CMTPT, CSCS

At Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin, we are grateful to be home to some of the top orthopedic specialists in the region. This expert-level care extends beyond our surgical staff to each of our departments. Physical therapy is one of the many vital orthopedic specialties we provide, and our physical therapists have trained to help you recover from orthopedic injuries and conditions. One of our highly reputable physical therapists is David Tranchita, MA, PT, OCS, CMTPT, CSCS. Tranchita has earned his highly esteemed reputation through his many years of experience. 

An Early Interest in Physical Therapy 

Tranchita’s introduction to physical therapy began with an injury he sustained as a high school athlete. During his freshman year, Tranchita injured his right knee while playing football. Seeking treatment, he saw an orthopedist who determined he tore his medial collateral ligament (MCL). 

Following his diagnosis, he began seeing a physical therapist for a few weeks of rehabilitation. His treatment allowed him to return to competitive sports in a few weeks. His experience with physical therapy inspired him to look into physical therapy for his career.

“My father was on the hospital board and recommended that I shadow my physical therapist for the summer to get a more hands-on approach and help me determine if this was something to pursue for the future,” Tranchita said. 

Well-Rounded Education and Background 

During the following two summers, Tranchita shadowed a physical therapist. After determining he would like to pursue physical therapy as a career, Tranchita attended UW-Lacrosse’s pre-physical therapy program. Following the program, he was accepted into a prestigious program at Marquette University, where he achieved his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy. 

Following graduation, Tranchita accepted a position in an outpatient clinic with clinical rotations every six months. He finally settled in the Sports Medicine department. During this time, he was also a physical therapist for the Milwaukee Admirals and continued to work with athletes for the next three years. 

Wanting to further his education, Tranchita moved to Colorado to attend the University of Northern Colorado and achieved a double major in Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics. During this time, he also worked in a small private practice in Boulder, Colorado, where he began specializing in orthopedic physical therapy. 

Following this experience, Tranchita took on an affiliate faculty position at Regis University. There, he continued clinical work and became a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). 

After achieving these educational feats, Tranchita married his wife, fellow OHOW physical therapist Julie Tranchita, PT. Together, they moved back to Wisconsin to raise their family and had two children, Nolen and Alyssa. 

Tranchita’s Patients Experience Top-Quality Care

After moving back to Wisconsin, Tranchita accepted a management position and oversaw two clinics for the next five years. The experience inspired Tranchita to open his private practice. In 2003, he opened PROCare Physical Therapy and continued to operate the business for 15 years. In 2018, PROCare Physical Therapy joined OHOW. 

Today, Tranchita is the Manager of Rehabilitation Services at OHOW’s Greenfield Physical Therapy Clinics and New Berlin Physical Therapy Clinic where he also sees patients. Tranchita’s patients report a great experience and walk away with expert insight into how to improve their health. 

“My philosophy of care has always been to help others compassionately and educate those who need guidance in health care,” Tranchita said. If I can’t help the individual, I will find someone who can give them hope and a pathway to health and wellness.”

Eclectic Approach to Care

Tranchita utilizes an eclectic approach to care based on his post-graduate work. He has an Eastern medicine approach using a combination of manual, hands-on therapy, dry needling, cupping, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (Graston), and osteopathic manipulative therapy. These therapy techniques help to first correct the mechanical faults related to the soft tissue, myofascial and joint restrictions. Then he utilizes traditional physical therapy exercises to normalize strength, endurance, flexibility and range of motion. Finally, he focuses on the patient’s movement deficits and addresses the patient’s goals to get them back to functional activities they enjoy.

“David Tranchita is the most knowledgeable and thorough therapist I have ever seen. I have referred two of my friends to see him. I will return for future therapy needs.” David S., Tranchita’s former patient said. 

In addition to top-quality care, Tranchita educates each patient to ensure they can continue to improve beyond physical therapy. 

“Once my patients are improving, I educate them about their condition, how to prevent it from recurring, and give them a self-management home exercise program to continue,” Tranchita said. “I believe this keeps the patient engaged and takes responsibility for their health and well-being.”

Tranchitas’ dedication to patient care perfectly exemplifies our Three Critical Success Factors: Quality, Patient Satisfaction, and Staff Satisfaction. We are so grateful for his persistent work he does to care for his patients. To make an appointment with David Tranchita, visit his physical therapy profile on our website.