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 Hip Joint

    The hip joint is one of the largest weight-bearing joints in the body. This ball-and-socket joint allows the leg to move and rotate while keeping the body stable and balanced. Let's take a closer look at the main parts of the hip joint's anatomy…

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  • 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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  • Anatomy of the Shoulder

    The shoulder is a complex structure made of three separate joints. They work together to give the shoulder a tremendous range of motion. Let's take a closer look at the main parts of the shoulder's anatomy.

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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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  • Bunion

    This deformity affects the joint at the base of the big toe. It is a bony bump beneath the skin on the inner side of the foot. A bunion starts small, but over time it can grow to become very large. Bunions are more common in women.

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  • Bursitis of the Hip (Trochanteric Bursitis)

    This is an irritation or swelling of the trochanteric bursa. This small, fluid-filled sac is found on the outer side of the femur. It acts as a cushion for the iliotibial band, a thick tendon in your leg.

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  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

    Pain, numbness and tingling in your hand may be from carpal tunnel syndrome. It happens when the area around the main nerve to your hand is too tight. The nerve is called the median nerve. And the small space in your wrist where it passes is…

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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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  • De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

    This condition, also called stenosing tenosynovitis of the first dorsal compartment of the wrist, is an inflammation of the sheath that wraps around the tendons at the thumb side of the wrist.

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  • Degenerative Joint Disease of the Hip (Osteoarthritis of the Hip)

    This condition is a wearing away of cartilage in the hip joint caused by arthritis, which can develop because of trauma, infection, age or autoimmune disorders.

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