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

  • A stress fracture is a common sports injury, often occurring in weight-bearing bones, such as the tibia or the bones in the foot. There are typically only a few symptoms related to stress fractures: either a generalized area of pain and…

  • While a large percentage of tennis players will suffer from tennis elbow at some point in their career, they only make up a small percentage of all reported cases of tennis elbow. Tennis elbow can strike anyone…

  • 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…

  • An ankle sprain is a very common and easily incurred injury. It is so common that approximately 25,000 people sprain their ankle every day. Ligaments in the ankle hold the bones together and protect the ankle joint from…

  • A pulled muscle occurs when the muscle is strained or stretched too far, creating small tears within the muscle. This generates aching, tightening, and stiffening in the muscle, which can be extremely uncomfortable and painful. The hamstring is…

  • Injuries, genetics, and repetitive use of our hands can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful condition of the hand and fingers caused by compression of the median nerve. This can cause pain and irritation and hinder a…

  • The condition known as bursitis occurs when the fluid-filled sacs, or bursae, located between a tendon and skin or between a tendon and bone become inflamed. It can cause pain and tenderness in the area, and it can make movement very difficult.…

  • 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…