OrthoWilmington will merge with three other independent orthopedic physician groups across North Carolina, creating what officials say will be one of the largest physician-owned orthopedic practices in the country.

OrthoWilmington, with offices in New Hanover, Brunswick and Onslow counties, will merge with Blue Ridge Bone and Joint of Asheville, Hendersonville and Arden; Carolina Orthopaedic Specialists with offices in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties; and Triangle Orthopaedic Associates of the greater Raleigh-Durham area, according to an announcement Thursday.

The four practices will begin operating under the EmergeOrtho name on Aug. 1.

Charles Wilson, CEO of Triangle Orthopaedic Associates who is serving as acting CEO of EmergeOrtho, said the deal was two years in the making.

With 49 office locations in 21 counties statewide, EmergeOrtho will be one of the largest physician-owned orthopaedic practices in the country, the release stated. The combined practices include 126 physicians and 237 physician assistants, nurse practitioners and therapists. That includes 23 physicians, 19 physician assistants and three nurse practitioners at OrthoWilmington, according to the release.

More practices are poised to join during a second phase of expansion planned for early 2017, bringing the planned total to 170 physicians.

Patients of each individual group practice should see no interruption in their care and services, officials said.

“We chose the name EmergeOrtho because it describes the group’s mission,” said Thomas Dimmig, president of Triangle Orthopaedic Associates and president of the new group, in a release. “The goal of orthopaedics is for patients to emerge from treatment, healed from debilitating pain or limited motion. Through excellent care, patients can emerge stronger and healthier, better able to lead an active life."