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Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics Blog View all posts

Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Doctor vs. Podiatrist
When you have a problem with your foot or ankle that requires medical attention, who do you see for treatment — an orthopedist or a podiatrist? Many people think a podiatrist is the same as an orthopedist, but there are several significant differences betw
Dec 15th, 2021

What Is an Orthopedic Surgeon?
Orthopedic surgeons treat conditions in the knee, shoulder, elbow, back, hand, foot, and more. Learn more about orthopedic surgery and how you can find the best doctor near you. Elite has 12 highly skilled orthopedic surgeons in Nashville, TN.
May 9th, 2021

The Back Doctor - What You Should Know

Do you need to see a back doctor in Nashville, TN? Our team of fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons include some of the best spine specialists near you. Learn about symptoms and prevention of back pain and back conditions.
May 4th, 2021

The Hand Doctor - What You Should Know
Do you need to see a hand doctor in Nashville, TN? Our award-winning orthopedic surgeons include some of the best hand specialists near you. Check out this guide to see if you could live a lower pain lifestyle.
Apr 18th, 2021

Fibrous Dysplasia: Causes, Symptoms, and Management
Fibrous Dysplasia is a rare bone disorder that can impact both children and adults. While relatively uncommon, understanding this condition is essential for early diagnosis, proper management, and ensuring the best possible quality of life for those affect
Sep 8th, 2023

Common Misconceptions About Elbow Surgery
Elbow surgery, though a medical procedure that can significantly improve one's quality of life, is often clouded by misinformation and misconceptions. These myths can cause unnecessary anxiety and deter individuals from seeking the treatment they truly nee
Aug 22nd, 2023

The Link Between Foot Pain and Posture
Our bodies are an interconnected system, where each part plays a role in maintaining harmony and functionality. One fascinating connection often overlooked is the intricate relationship between foot pain and posture. While foot pain might seem isolated, it
Aug 22nd, 2023

Top Tips for Preventing Sports Injuries
Playing sports is not only a great way to stay physically active and have fun but also a means to build teamwork and discipline. However, with the thrill of competition comes the risk of sports-related injuries. Whether you're an amateur athlete, a weekend
Aug 10th, 2023

Pediatric Orthopedics: Ensuring a Brighter Future for Little Feet
Children are a boundless source of joy and wonder, but they can sometimes experience musculoskeletal issues that require specialized care. Pediatric orthopedics is the branch of medicine that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing bone, joint, and
Jul 25th, 2023

Essential Exercises After Hip Surgery for Improved Mobility
Explore a range of essential exercises to enhance your recovery after hip surgery. From walking and range of motion exercises to strengthening techniques and aquatic therapy, discover how exercise can improve mobility and regain your quality of life.
Apr 18th, 2023

Essential Steps for Caring for Broken Bones
Discover crucial steps for effective care and healing of broken bones. From seeking prompt medical attention and immobilizing the injury to managing pain. Learn more about caring for broken bones.
Apr 18th, 2023

Essential Recovery Tips from Your Back Doctors
Discover expert tips from back doctors for a successful post-operative recovery. Learn about research, FAQs, balancing rest and movement, wound care, pain medication management, and more.
Feb 7th, 2023

The Top Exercises to Reduce Pain and Inflammation 
When thinking of ways to reduce the inflammation in your body, you may not think of exercise at first. However, it is a key part of reducing the inflammation in your body. If you are experiencing pain in your joints, it could be a symptom of inflammation
Feb 6th, 2023

Post Operative Tips from a Hip Doctor
Recovering from hip surgery can be a long process, so it is important to be fully prepared on what to expect. These 5 tips can apply to most hip surgery recoveries. To learn more, talk to a hip surgeon near you.
Jan 27th, 2023

Patellar Tendonitis
Patellar tendonitis, also known as jumper's knee often occurs in athletes. Swelling, tenderness, and knee pain are all symptoms that can accompany this injury. Learn symptoms, causes, treatment, and more!
Jan 20th, 2023

5 Signs of a Pinched Nerve

Pain, numbness, and tingling may all be signs of a pinched nerve. Learn what symptoms to look out for and when you should seek help.
Jan 20th, 2023

Morton's Neuroma: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, & More!

Morton's neuroma is a foot condition that causes pain at the ball of the foot. This condition may occur in runners or people with pre-existing foot conditions. Learn symptoms, causes, and treatment options for Morton's neuroma!
Jan 17th, 2023

Tips on How to Relieve Hip Pain While Sleeping
It can be uncomfortable to sleep for patients with hip pain. Knowing a few tricks on how to make sleeping with hip pain more comfortable can make all the difference in your physical and mental health!
Dec 22nd, 2022

What to Expect with Back Surgery?
Back surgery can be intimidating, but the more you know the more you will be prepared and ready for your journey to recovery!
Dec 12th, 2022

Arthritis Pain Prevention
Arthritis can occur for a number of reasons. Although it is not always preventable, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing it. Learn orthopedic tips and tricks to prevent arthritis pain.
Nov 29th, 2022

15 Questions to Ask Your Knee Doctor

Going to the doctor can be intimidating. We put together of 15 questions to ask your doctor when you go in to be treated for knee pain. Of course it is always good to do your research ahead of time and ask any other questions you may have.
Nov 16th, 2022

How to Stop a Knee or Shoulder Injury from Limiting Your Life
Joint pain can seriously limit the things you love to do in life. From being unable to perform your daily tasks to not being able to play with your kids, joint pain is a hard condition to deal with. No one should have to limit their life due to pain in
Nov 4th, 2022

What are the Most Common Injuries in Sports?
Sports are the most common reason for injuries in young adults. Though injuries are sometimes unavoidable, it is important to be educated on what the most common injuries are.
Nov 3rd, 2022

Knee Arthritis

Knee arthritis is caused by deterioration of cartilage in the knee often due to aging. Learn symptoms, causes, treatment and more for this condition.
Nov 2nd, 2022

Ganglion Cysts- Causes and Treatments

Ganglion Cysts are a common condition we see at Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics. This noncancerous lump can most commonly be seen on the top of the hand, but can also be found in the knee, feet, or ankles.
Oct 11th, 2022

Wrist Pain Prevention
Hand and wrist pain is becoming increasingly common with the amount of time most people spend on phones or computers. Whether your work requires frequent technology use or is a hands-on labor job, wrist pain prevention could be an important tool for you.
Sep 19th, 2022

How to Tell if You Have a Rotator Cuff Tear
Shoulder pain can prevent patients from doing many of life's daily activities. Simple things like opening doors, or swinging your arms when walking can even cause pain when you have an injury of the shoulder. It is important to know when to see a doctor
Sep 1st, 2022

Foot Pain in Runners
If you are a runner, it is almost impossible not to experience foot pain at some point in time. Luckily, most of the foot pain you experience can be prevented or relieved with simple adjustments.
Aug 24th, 2022

Foot Arthritis

Arthritis of the foot and ankle can be painful and make everyday activities difficult. Luckily, there are ways to help alleviate arthritic foot pain and prevent it from worsening. Learn symptoms, causes, and treatment of foot arthritis and how a foot surge
Aug 10th, 2022

Post Operative Tips from a Shoulder Doctor
Surgery of any kind is no easy feat, but with the proper preparations and knowledge of what to expect, you can put yourself in the best position for a successful recovery. ¬Shoulder surgery can be particularly difficult because of how often you use your sh
Aug 1st, 2022

Recovery After Ankle Surgery
Foot or ankle surgery can be an intimidating procedure for patients. Through our orthopedic surgeons always try the least invasive treatment option first, if surgery is the only option, there are some things you should know in order to speed along...
Jul 18th, 2022

5 Things Every Athlete Should Know
As an athlete, a healthy body is the key to success within your sport. It is important to know how to prevent injuries and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle that supports the physical demands your sport requires.
Jun 23rd, 2022

Why Do My Shins Hurt When Running?
Have you recently taken up running? You may find yourself grabbing for your lower leg or unable to continue. This may be due to shin splints, one of the most common injuries in runners.
Jun 15th, 2022

Sprained Ankle
Ankle sprains are a common reason that patients come to see us at Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics. This type of injury typically occurs from rolling or twisting the ankle. Learn common symptoms, causes, and treatment for a sprained ankle!
Jun 9th, 2022

How to Recover Faster from Knee Surgery
One of the most asked questions by patients, especially our athletes, is how can I recover quickly from knee surgery? The answer to that question depends on a host of variables like age, health, and dedication to recovery. However, there are things you can
Jun 7th, 2022

Signs of a Slipped Disc
If you are experiencing neck pain or back pain that radiates to your arms or legs, you may have a slipped disc. Not to worry, often times a slipped disc can heal on its own. Learn the top 5 signs to watch out for and how a slipped disc is treated.
Jun 1st, 2022

How Do I Know if my Back Pain is Serious?
Knowing when to see a doctor makes all the difference in the recovery time of a back injury. If severe, back pain can put a person’s life on hold and prevent them from performing their daily activities. Seeking medical help will treat and even prevent
May 26th, 2022

Hamstring Tear: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and More!
If you have pain in the back of your leg, and it is difficult to walk, you may have torn your hamstring. Learn about the signs and symptoms to watch for when it comes to hamstring tears, treatment options, and more!
May 19th, 2022

Ways to Manage Arthritis' Impact on Your Life
If you have been diagnosed with arthritis, you know how much this disease can control your life. Depending on the type of arthritis and its severity, it can be difficult to manage without knowledge of the disease and ways to cope with pain.
May 13th, 2022

Types of Injections for Back Pain
Our back pain specialists recommend starting with physical therapy and anti-inflammatories, but when those treatments fail, injections may be your next best option. Luckily for those who suffer from back pain, there are many kinds of injections depending..
May 10th, 2022

Post Operative Tips from a Knee Doctor
The surgery talk you have with your doctor after all other treatments have been unsuccessful can be difficult. Many patients' first thoughts are centered around the length of recovery and how painful the process will be. Our doctors understand that...
May 6th, 2022

Shoulder Pain Prevention Tips

Shoulder pain can make everyday activities feel difficult. Try these shoulder pain prevention tips so you don't have to worry about shoulder pain holding you back!
May 4th, 2022

These 5 Exercises May be the Reason for Your Back Pain
Are you suffering from low back pain? Certain exercises could be worsening your symptoms. Our back doctors recommend evaluating your physical activity throughout the day to determine if there is anything that could be worsening your symptoms.
Apr 25th, 2022

Trigger Finger: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and More!
Trigger finger occurs when one finger is stuck, causing locking or snapping. This is a common condition we treat at Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics. Learn signs and symptoms, and treatment options for trigger finger.
Apr 21st, 2022

Swimmer's Shoulder: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and More!

Swimmer's shoulder, also known as shoulder impingement, occurs from repetitive shoulder motions. Although it is common in swimmers, it can affect anyone who uses their shoulders often. Learn common symptoms and signs and treatment options.
Apr 14th, 2022

How to Heal a Sprained Ankle
Sprained ankles are common in athletes and people who live an active lifestyle. A sprained ankle refers to when ligaments in the ankle become torn or pulled.
Apr 13th, 2022

5 Reasons for a Slow Recovery from Surgery

“How long does it take to recover and how do I get back as soon as possible?” These two questions are almost always the first ones asked when patients find out they need surgery. Recovery time depends on several things including the type of surgery and...
Apr 1st, 2022

Anterior Hip Replacement Testimonial: Matt Napier

After years of pain in his right leg, Matt decided to seek the help of hip specialist, Dr. Brian Dierckman. Learn about Matt's experience with Dr. Dierckman, physical therapy at Elite, and more!
Mar 31st, 2022

Bone Fractures: Symptoms, Treatment, and More!

Pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving a specific area of the body are all signs of a bone fracture. Learn types of bone fractures, diagnosis, treatment options, and more!
Mar 24th, 2022

Osteoporosis in Women- Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
80% of those who suffer from osteoporosis are women, mainly due to the hormone changes that occur in menopause. Since women are at such a high risk, what can they do to prevent or offset the symptoms that come along with this painful disease?
Mar 18th, 2022

5 Ways to Prevent Neck Pain
Neck pain is one of the common reasons that patients come to see us at Elite Sports Medicine. Often times it can be preventable. Learn the top 5 ways to prevent your neck pain!
Mar 4th, 2022

The Wrist Doctor - What You Should Know
Wrist pain can make everyday activities like typing and driving unbearable. Your wrist pain may be a sign of overuse or a condition like arthritis. Learn common conditions, injuries, treatment, and more in this overview of wrist pain.
Jan 27th, 2022

Plantar Fasciitis: Causes, Treatments and More
Foot pain is a common concern among patients of Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics. There could be many causes for pain in the foot, but one of the most common ones we see is plantar fasciitis.
Jan 24th, 2022

How Long Can You Wait for Achilles Tendon Surgery?
The Achilles tendon is one of the largest, strongest tendons in your body. It is a fibrous cord that connects muscles in the back of your calf to your heel, allowing you to walk, run, climb and move freely.
Jan 21st, 2022

Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the Workplace
Hand and wrist pain can make it challenging to do your job. If you often perform repetitive hand and wrist movements — such as typing, using hand tools or sewing — carpal tunnel syndrome could be causing your pain. 
Jan 4th, 2022

What is Causing My Knee Pain?
Are you experiencing nagging knee pain that just won’t seem to go away? You are not alone. At Elite Sports Medicine we see all kinds of conditions and injuries of the knee.
Dec 28th, 2021

Everything You Need to Know About Pediatric Orthopedics
Pediatric orthopedics is a specialized area of medicine that focuses on caring for joint and bone problems in bodies that are still developing.  Whether it's a sore knee from overexertion or a broken bone after a fall from a bike, kids are susceptible to
Dec 22nd, 2021

The Key to Surviving the Holidays Without Wrecking Your Joints
The holidays bring social gatherings, cold weather and, for some, joint pain. Living with joint pain can be especially challenging during the holidays, as increased stress and activity levels can cause flare-ups. The body's inflammatory response system kic
Dec 20th, 2021

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that affects more than just your joints. This chronic inflammatory disease can also affect your skin, eyes, lungs, and other systems by attacking your own body’s tissues. Unlike other forms of arthritis...
Dec 14th, 2021

Exercises for Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is common in those whose sport or occupation requires repetitive actions like throwing or lifting heavy objects. At Elite, we see patients of all ages for shoulder injuries, whether it be an acute injury or degenerative.
Dec 14th, 2021

What is Causing my Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain can cause constant aching, irritability, and even disrupt your sleep. That’s why it is important to find out what is causing your shoulder pain and how you can treat it.
Dec 6th, 2021

Exercises for Hand Pain
There are many causes for hand pain, but hand arthritis is the most common found in patients. With many people having jobs that involve typing all day on the computer, and with the amount of time people spend on their phones every day, it is no surprise...
Nov 30th, 2021

What is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (often referred to as runners’ knee) is a term used to describe pain in the front of the knee or kneecap. The repetitive action of running or jumping is often associated with patellofemoral syndrome...
Nov 30th, 2021

Can Stress Cause Shoulder Pain?
Tension and tightness in your shoulders is common symptom of anxiety and stress. It's part of your body's fight or flight stress response or its way of preparing to confront or survive a perceived physical threat. 
Nov 26th, 2021

Ankle Sprain
If you experience pain and swelling in your ankle, it is likely that you have a sprained ankle. Proper treatment is critical to a speedy recovery, so it is important to seek help from a foot and ankle specialist near you.
Nov 22nd, 2021

What Causes Tension Headaches?
People who've experienced a tension headache may describe their symptoms slightly differently. However, for the most part, a tension headache causes pain on both sides of the head. The pain can range from mild to severe, or be constant but not throbbing. 
Nov 12th, 2021

Exercises to Relieve Hip Pain
Hip pain is a common ailment that plagues many people, especially those who have arthritis or are experiencing other hip-related ailments. Try these simple exercises every day to live a more pain-free life.
Nov 8th, 2021

Prevent Hip Pain with These Doctor Approved Tips
Hip conditions can arise from a variety of reasons. Whether it is hip arthritic condition, hip bursitis or something more serious like avascular necrosis (AVN), there are steps that you should be taking to help prevent further damage and alleviate the hip
Nov 1st, 2021

Tennis Elbow: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and More!

Tennis elbow causes sharp pain, tenderness, and often swelling on the outside of the elbow. Though it is called tennis elbow, this condition can affect anyone whose sport, daily life or occupation involves repetitive motion of the elbow.
Oct 15th, 2021

How to Prevent Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common conditions in the world. Most people focus on how to relieve it, but not how to prevent it. Learn what may be causing your back pain and how you can prevent low back pain, sciatica pain, herniated discs, and more.
Oct 7th, 2021

Hip Replacement - is it Time to See a Hip Specialist?
Hip replacement surgery is a major surgery. It is important to us that our patients are fully informed on their options and recovery when it comes to hip replacement. Luckily, we have some of the best hip replacement surgeons in Nashville to care for you.
Sep 30th, 2021

Knee Replacement - What You Should Know
If you suffer from osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis, or rheumatoid arthritis, you may need knee replacment surgery. Learn the answers to the most common questions about knee replacement and more in this all encompassing guide.
Sep 27th, 2021

Shoulder Labral Tear
If you are experiencing pain, popping, or locking in your shoulder, you may have a torn labrum. This type of injury can be quite painful and limiting to daily activities. Seek help from an orthopedic specialist to determine a treatment plan.
Sep 27th, 2021

What is a Sports Medicine Doctor?

A sports medicine doctor treats and diagnoses sports injuries and conditions. Though they are labeled “sports medicine”, most work with a wide range a patient who have injuries of their musculoskeletal system.
Sep 3rd, 2021

Exercises for Wrist Pain
Wrist pain is extremely common and can be caused from many daily activities like driving and typing. Try these 10 exercises to prevent and relieve wrist pain. If you are experiencing severe wrist pain, seek help from a wrist doctor near you.
Aug 31st, 2021

Sciatica

Sciatica refers to pan that runs through the sciatic nerve pathway. If you are experiencing pain in your lower back, glutes, or leg, you may have sciatica and you should seek help from a back doctor near you.
Aug 27th, 2021