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Lateral hip pain is often diagnosed as hip bursitis, and for many patients, treatments like physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and injections provide relief. But what happens when an injection doesn't help? If you've had persistent pain despite hip bursitis treatment, it may be time to consider whether another condition is contributing to your symptoms. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, hip specialist Dr. Max Seiter helps patients identify the true sou

Many people notice knee pain when hiking downhill, descending stairs, or walking down steep slopes. While climbing may feel manageable, the pain often becomes much more noticeable on the way down. Several knee conditions can cause this type of discomfort, but two common culprits are meniscus tears and cartilage damage. Because the symptoms often overlap, it can be difficult to determine the true source of pain without a proper evaluation. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosu

Neck pain that travels into the shoulder, arm, or hand can be frustrating and confusing. Many patients come into the office saying, "I think I pinched a nerve in my neck," but determining the true cause of those symptoms is not always straightforward. In many cases, a cervical disc herniation and a pinched nerve can produce nearly identical symptoms. Understanding the difference is important because the underlying cause may influence the best treatment plan. At Vail-Summit Or

For many cyclists and endurance athletes, discomfort is simply part of training. Tight hips after a long climb or soreness following back to back rides can feel normal. But when pain becomes persistent, sharp, or starts affecting performance, there may be an underlying joint issue involved. One increasingly common problem among active athletes is hip impingement. Repetitive motion, prolonged riding positions, and years of high mileage can gradually place excessive stress on t

A shoulder dislocation can feel like a one-time injury. The shoulder pops out, gets put back in place, and eventually starts feeling better. But for many patients, especially active adults and athletes, one injury can lead to ongoing instability that continues long after the initial event. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, specialists including Dr. Richard Cunningham, Dr. Erik Dorf, Dr. Terrell Joseph, and Dr. Max Seiter frequently evaluate patients dealing with rec

Pickleball has exploded in popularity, drawing athletes of all ages to the court. It is fast, social, and easy to pick up. But many players are surprised when elbow pain develops just weeks or even days after starting. Tennis elbow is now one of the most common injuries seen in pickleball players, often appearing faster than expected. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, specialists including Dr. Erik Dorf and Dr. Terrell Joseph frequently evaluate athletes dealing wit

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