Patient Education Articles

At Heartland Orthopedic Specialists, we strive to keep you involved in your medical care as a partner. In the following section, we included helpful and general information about conditions, diseases, and the different parts of the body.

Through the material provided below, you can learn about topics related to your condition or injury to give you some more context and understanding of your situation. Please be aware that each situation is unique, and no online content can replace one-on-one communication with your doctor.

If you have questions regarding a medical issue, please consult with your specialist at the time of your appointment or call Heartland Orthopedic Specialists at (800) 762-1177, and our staff will be happy to assist you.

For additional patient education information, please visit the following additional resources.

  • Anatomy of the Knee

    The knee is the body's largest joint. It's the place where three bones meet: the tibia, the femur and the patella. The knee is a "hinge" joint. It allows the leg to bend in one direction only. Let's take a closer look at the main parts of the…

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  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear (ACL Tear)

    This injury is a tearing of the ACL ligament in the knee joint. The ACL ligament is one of the bands of tissue that connects the femur to the tibia. An ACL tear can be painful. It can cause the knee to become unstable.

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  • COOLIEF* Cooled Radiofrequency Treatment

    What is COOLIEF* Cooled Radiofrequency Treatment?

    COOLIEF can bring non-surgical relief to those suffering from chronic pain, without the use of opioids.1-4

    …

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  • Mako® Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology for Joint Replacement

    First in the Region to Utilize Mako® Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology for Joint Replacement

    Mako robotic-arm assisted technology enables our surgeons at Alomere Health to provide total knee replacement, total…

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  • Meniscus Tear

    This is a common injury of the knee. Your knee joint is cushioned by two c-shaped wedges of cartilage called the "menisci." Each individual cushion is called a "meniscus." This injury is a tear of one of these cushions.

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  • Osteoarthritis of the Knee

    Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative arthritis, is a gradual breakdown of cartilage in the joints. Cartilage is a tough, flexible connective tissue that protects the ends of bones in the joints. Osteoarthritis is common in the knees because…

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  • Patellar Tracking Disorder

    This is a problem with the alignment of the patella (the bone at the front of the knee, commonly called the "kneecap"). With this disorder, the patella shifts out of its normal track as you bend or extend your knee.

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  • Same-Day Joint Replacement

    As the region's most preferred orthopedic practice, we are dedicated to providing an exceptional patient experience with world-class care, from helping you recover from an injury to giving you the long-term solutions you need to conquer arthritis…

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  • Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)

    This condition is a painful swelling, usually along the front of the lower leg, that is common among runners and other athletes.

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  • Total Knee Replacement

    This procedure restores function to a severely damaged knee. Most commonly, it is used to repair a knee that has been damaged by arthritis. During the procedure, the surgeon replaces the damaged portions of the knee with artificial parts. These…

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