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

  • 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…
  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Arthritis of the big toe, medically known as hallux rigidus, is a condition caused by wear and tear of the toe joint or an injury that damages the cartilage, causing the bones of the joint to rub together. 

    If you are suffering from…

  • Ill-fitting shoes can cause many problems, from minor injuries to permanent deformity. Here, we offer some tips for good foot care when it comes to your shoes.

    • Have your feet measured regularly: as you grow older, their size may…
  • A stress fracture is a common sports injury often occurring in weight-bearing bones, such as the tibia and the bones in the foot. There are typically only a few symptoms related to stress fractures: either a generalized area of pain and…

  • Your feet can handle quite a bit of stress, but going over the limit can cause extreme discomfort. Heel pain generally falls into two categories: pain behind the heel and pain beneath the heel.

    If your pain is behind the heel, you may be…

  • Muscle strains can happen while playing sports, hiking, running, or while performing everyday activities. Sometimes referred to as a pulled muscle, a muscle strain leaves you with a sharp pain that can cause swelling and discomfort.

    A…

  • Ice packs and heat pads are among the most commonly used treatments in orthopedics. So which one is the right one to use for your injury?

    Ice 
    Ice treatment is most commonly used for acute injuries. If you have…

  • Wrist tendonitis is a condition caused by trauma or repetitive use that results in wrist pain and swelling. Our wrist specialists offer several treatment options for wrist tendonitis.

    Splinting the wrist is often the first step in treating…