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Cyclists often expect sore legs or fatigue after a long ride. But for many riders, the most frustrating symptoms show up in the hands and wrists. Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the fingers can develop gradually or appear suddenly during longer rides. While it may seem minor at first, persistent symptoms can signal an underlying issue that should not be ignored. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, specialists including Dr. Erik Dorf and Dr. Terrell Joseph frequentl

What Your Shoulder Is Telling You Many patients notice the same frustrating pattern. During the day, their shoulder feels manageable. They can work, ski, bike, and stay active. But once they lie down at night, the pain begins. Nighttime rotator cuff pain is one of the most common symptoms shoulder specialists hear about. Patients often wake up because they cannot find a comfortable sleeping position, especially when lying on the affected side. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Ne

Athletes who jump frequently often notice a very specific type of knee pain. It usually starts as soreness just below the kneecap after training. Over time, the discomfort can appear during warm ups, workouts, and even daily activity. This condition is commonly known as jumper's knee, and it is one of the most frequent causes of jumping knee pain in active athletes. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, specialists including Dr. Richard Cunningham , Dr. Terrell Joseph ,

From Pavement Miles to Mountain Trails Training for a marathon, trail race, or ultra run pushes both physical and mental limits. Whether you are logging miles on pavement or navigating technical singletrack, the repetitive nature of running places significant stress on the body. Many runners notice a similar pattern. Early in training, everything feels strong. But as mileage builds, small aches begin to appear. Left unaddressed, those minor issues can develop into overuse inj

Understanding the Hidden Injuries That Do Not Show Up on Initial Imaging A fall onto an outstretched hand is one of the most common injuries we see in the mountains. Whether it happens skiing in Vail, snowboarding in Beaver Creek, or biking in Breckenridge, the wrist often takes the force. Many patients are relieved when X rays are reported as normal. But weeks later, the wrist still hurts. Grip strength is reduced. Certain movements feel sharp or unstable. At Vail-Summit Ort

Why So Many Active Adults Are Misdiagnosed If you live an active mountain lifestyle and develop deep hip pain, you are often told it is a strain. A tight hip flexor. Maybe overtraining. But for many patients in Eagle and Summit Counties, the real issue is structural. Two conditions frequently overlap and are commonly missed: hip labral tears and hip impingement. And when they are not recognized early, the hip joint can continue to deteriorate. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Ne

And Why Symptoms Can Worsen Days Later Many skiers walk away from a fall feeling lucky. The ankle might be sore, slightly swollen, or stiff, but not painful enough to end the day. Unfortunately, this is exactly how many significant ankle injuries begin. What feels mild at first can worsen days later, once swelling increases and injured tissues begin to declare themselves. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery , foot and ankle injuries are one of the most common issues ev

Why Early Diagnosis Can Prevent Long Term Instability Falls on the mountain often result in hand injuries, especially when a ski pole is involved. Many skiers assume they are dealing with a mild sprained finger or jammed finger, but certain thumb injuries require much more careful evaluation. One of the most commonly missed diagnoses during ski season is skier's thumb, an injury that can lead to chronic instability if not treated early. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurg

Hip pain caused by arthritis can affect every aspect of daily life, from walking and climbing stairs to fully enjoying the mountain lifestyle in Eagle and Summit Counties. When conservative treatments no longer provide relief, many patients begin exploring surgical options. Two of the most common procedures are partial hip replacement and total hip replacement. Understanding the differences can help patients determine which approach best fits their condition, activity level,

Understanding the Risks with Insights from Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery Tib fib fractures remain one of the most frequent lower leg injuries seen in Colorado mountain towns during ski season. These fractures can affect skiers of every level from first day beginners to seasoned experts navigating steep terrain. So why are tib fib fractures so common in skiing and what steps can athletes take to reduce their risk before returning to the slopes in Vail, Frisco, Keysto

How to Protect Your Neck with Insights from Drs. Braxton, Gnirke, and Raub Neck pain is one of the most common spine complaints in active mountain communities like Vail, Frisco, and Edwards. For many people, the underlying cause is cervical degeneration, a process that can be influenced by aging, posture, activity level, and daily habits. But how much does lifestyle really affect degenerative disk disease neck? And what can you do to protect your spine before neck symptoms be

When you suffer a sports injury, your first goal is to get back to doing what you love – whether that’s skiing, biking, hiking, or competing at a high level. But not every orthopedic specialist has the same advanced training or experience in treating athletes. That’s where fellowship-trained sports medicine doctors come in. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON), our team includes board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians who specialize in the diagnosis, treat

Ankle injuries are some of the most common orthopedic problems, especially in active mountain communities like Eagle and Summit County. Whether you twist your ankle on the trail, during a game, or just stepping off a curb, it can be difficult to know what’s actually injured. So, what is an ankle sprain vs strain, and how can you tell which one you have? Below, Dr. John Paul Elton , board-certified orthopedic surgeon and foot and ankle specialist at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics &

When you’re dealing with an injury or unexplained pain, imaging is often the first step toward answers. While X-rays are useful for showing bones and fractures, they can’t reveal the full picture. That’s where MRI comes in. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON), our orthopaedic specialists rely on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to uncover critical details that guide accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plan. What Is an MRI? MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imag

As the mountains turn white and opening day draws near, anticipation builds for another unforgettable ski season. But before clicking into your bindings, it’s important to make sure your body is ready for the physical demands of skiing and snowboarding. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON) , our physicians see a spike in snow-sport injuries each winter, many of which can be prevented with a few weeks of smart, preseason preparation. If you’ve been searching for a

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care, but not all back pain is the same. Understanding whether your pain is acute or chronic is the first step in finding the right treatment. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON), our team of spine specialists – Dr. Ernest Braxton , Dr. Matthew Gnirke , and Dr. Scott Raub – work together to provide patients with both surgical and non-surgical options for back pain relief. If you’ve been searching f

Whether you’re sprinting down the soccer field, skiing hard on a powder day, or powering through a long bike ride, the hip and upper leg muscles take on an enormous workload. That’s why injuries in this area are so common among athletes and active individuals. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON), our team sees everything from mild groin pulls to severe hamstring tears, and we’re here to help you recover quickly and safely. If you’ve been searching for an upper l

When it comes to diagnosing orthopedic conditions, imaging tests are a vital piece of the puzzle. But with different options available, many patients wonder: when do you need an X-ray, and when is an MRI the better choice? At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON), advanced imaging services help ensure patients receive the right test at the right time for the most accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. The Role of X-rays X-rays are often the first step when evaluating

Back pain is one of the leading causes that brings people to the doctor’s office, yet it’s often misunderstood. While certain spinal conditions may call for surgery, most cases can be effectively treated through conservative, non-surgical methods. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON) , we take a conservative, patient-first approach. For those searching for a spine doctor near me who offers non-surgical spine relief, our team includes two leading experts in physic

Not all ankle sprains are created equal. While most involve the ligaments on the outside of the ankle, a syndesmosis injury, commonly referred to as a high ankle sprain, affects a different, deeper set of ligaments and typically takes longer to heal. For athletes and active individuals, proper diagnosis and treatment are critical. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON) , we see syndesmosis injuries regularly, especially in skiers, snowboarders, and field sport athl