Health Articles

As a patient at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists, you are always a partner in your medical care, never simply a subject of it. We curated this section of our Web site to provide you with helpful information on a variety of orthopedic topics, including orthopedic conditions and various orthopedic surgical procedures.

Our goal is to keep you educated and involved in your care every step of the way. The following health articles are meant to give you a general, educational overview of common processes and topics in the orthopedic field. 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

  • Not allowing your body adequate time to rest and recover from exercising will only make it harder to reach your fitness goals. Typically associated with little rest and excessive repetition, overtraining can result in injury or illness.

  • Golfer’s elbow is similar to tennis elbow (both are forms of elbow tendonitis) but occurs on the inside of the elbow rather than the outside. There will be inflammation along the inner side of the elbow, where the tendons of the forearm muscles…

  • The shoulder is composed of the shoulder blade (scapula), collarbone (clavicle), and upper arm bone (humerus). With two joints, the glenohumeral and acromioclavicular, the shoulder is widely considered to be the most unstable joint. It can move…

  • The cause of trigger finger is generally unknown. However, it is found more commonly in women than men as well as in those suffering from other health issues, such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.

    Symptoms of trigger finger include a…

  • Located in the back of the leg, the hamstring is made up of three muscles that connect at the pelvis and the lower leg. Injuries to the hamstring typically cause a sudden, sharp pain in the back of the thigh area and are most common in athletes…

  • Whether you are training over a long period or playing hard in competition, hydration can keep you not only at peak performance, but it also helps you avoid serious health risks.

    Dehydration in athletes can lead to fatigue, headaches,…

  • In young athletes, most injuries to the meniscus are a result of trauma. The menisci are vulnerable to injuries in which there is both compression and twisting across the knee. Meniscus tears are common in contact sports, like football, as well…

  • Reverse shoulder replacement surgery may be an option for you to relieve pain and restore function to the shoulder. Doctors will always consider conservative, nonsurgical methods of treatment first. But for patients who have severe rotator cuff…

  • There are many keys to keeping your joints healthy, including staying active and getting enough calcium and vitamin D. Other ways to defend your joints include:

    • Keeping a healthy weight – Maintaining your weight is essential in…
  • How long do patients need to wait before returning to their lifestyles? Every patient is different, and recovery times will vary. When the surgery is complete and the patient has returned home, they must commit to an extensive rehabilitation…