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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

Lower leg injuries are all too common in athletes of all levels, from competitive skiers and trail runners to weekend warriors. Whether it's the nagging ache of shin splints or the sharp, sudden pain of a tibia fracture, injuries to the lower leg can disrupt your performance, training, and even daily life. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON) , our team of orthopedic specialists helps active individuals stay on their feet and return to the sports they love. If yo

At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON) , we believe that not every injury needs to end in the operating room. In fact, for many patients dealing with joint or spine pain, advances in regenerative medicine are opening the door to healing without surgery, and with less downtime. VSON’s non-surgical and regenerative medicine specialists include: Dr. Matthew Gnirke , a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician with expertise in musculoskeletal care

Injuries don’t wait for convenience — and neither should your care. Whether it’s a fracture from a ski accident, a dislocated joint after a fall, or a severe sports injury, the first steps you take after a traumatic orthopedic event can make a significant difference in recovery. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON), our trauma team — including Dr. Richard Cunningham , Dr. Erik Dorf , Dr. John Paul Elton , Dr. Terrell Joseph , Dr. Max Seiter , and Dr. Henry Yu —

When it comes to managing chronic foot discomfort, footwear plays a critical role. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON), we often see patients dealing with pain from flat feet, bunions, or hammertoes — and in many cases, their shoes are making things worse. Supportive, properly fitted footwear can go a long way in alleviating pain and slowing the progression of these common foot conditions. Understanding which shoe features work best for your specific needs is ke

A total knee replacement can be life-changing for individuals suffering from chronic knee pain. But in some cases, the original implant may wear out, loosen, or fail over time — leading to the need for a knee replacement revision. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON), Dr. Henry Yu specializes in helping patients navigate this complex journey with expert care and precision. In this post, we’ll explore what knee replacement revision surgery is, when it’s necessary

When joint or soft tissue pain starts interfering with your daily life, cortisone injections can offer fast, effective relief. These injections are often used to treat inflammation and reduce pain in a variety of orthopedic conditions. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON), Dr. Matthew Gnirke and Dr. Scott Raub specialize in using image-guided cortisone injections as part of a comprehensive, non-surgical treatment approach. In this post, we’ll explore what cortiso

Your knee is a complex joint that depends on four key ligaments for stability and function: the ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL. These structures work together to keep the knee strong, stable, and aligned during movement. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON), our knee specialists— Dr. Richard Cunningham , Dr. Terrell Joseph , Dr. Max Seiter and Dr. William Sterett —help patients of all activity levels recover from ligament injuries and get back to doing what they love. I

Why More People in Their 40s and 50s Are Choosing Surgery—and Thriving Knee replacements were once considered a procedure reserved for older adults. But in recent years, more people in their 40s, and 50s are turning to surgery to reclaim their mobility and stay active. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON), Dr. Henry Yu is at the forefront of this shift, offering solutions tailored to younger, athletic patients. Let’s explore why this trend is on the rise—and how