News & Events

As of May 4, the specialty-trained surgeons at Orthopedic Associates have resumed scheduled, nonemergency orthopedic surgery for their patients at Des Peres Square Surgery Center. Medical supply levels in the St. Louis area now allow surgery centers to resume these less urgent,…

In order to reduce potential exposure to COVID-19 while providing essential services for bone, joint and muscle conditions, Orthopedic Associates has implemented telemedicine virtual evaluations for new and established patients. Appointments using telemedicine allow patients to…

The rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles that covers the top of the upper arm bone, helping to hold the shoulder joint together. The structure allows the arm to rotate in the joint so you can throw a ball, pick an apple, or give someone a high five.

Some rotator cuff injuries…

Overuse injuries are the result of small, repetitive forms of trauma to the structures in your arm. Whether you’re an elite athlete or work with a computer daily, learning about upper extremity overuse injuries can help you practice caution and know when to seek professional medical help.

You can move your fingers because of soft tissues called flexor tendons that are attached to your fingers and the muscles in your arm. These tendons glide through channels called tendon sheaths, and trigger finger is the result of inflammation or thickening in the tendon sheath.

Trigger…

As of Jan. 1, Robert R. Bell, M.D., Christopher D. Mudd, M.D., and Ryan T. Pitts, M.D., of Orthopedic Associates are on staff at the SSM Health St. Clare Hospital in Fenton, located at…

Taking a positive approach to arthritis can make all the difference in creating and sustaining life-altering habits. Since arthritis is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body, it’s important for those suffering to accept their limitations and develop better coping…

How long do patients need to wait before returning to their lifestyles? Every patient is different, and recovery times will vary. When the surgery is complete and the patient has returned home, they must commit to an extensive rehabilitation regimen. Over the course of six to eight weeks, the…

Your hips and knees can take on a lot of damage throughout your life, leading to degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis. Joint replacement is often the recommended solution for the pain and limited mobility associated with these conditions.

Traditionally, joint replacement is…

Orthopedic Associates’ Dr. James Burke, board-certified orthopedic surgeon, and Dr. Robert Kramer, fellowship-trained adult hip and knee reconstructive surgeon, have been recognized as 2019 Best Doctors in St. Louis Magazine. Their expertise…

Whether you are training over a prolonged period or playing hard during a competition, hydration can keep you at peak performance and help you avoid serious health risks.

Dehydration in athletes can lead to decreased coordination, fatigue, headaches, and muscle cramps. Additional heat-…

In young athletes, most injuries to the meniscus are a result of trauma. The menisci are vulnerable to injuries that involve both compression and twisting across the joint, which is a common occurrence in contact sports, like football, as well as in skiing and volleyball. Meniscal injuries also…

It’s a trend happening on playing fields and basketball courts at an alarming rate: a young girl jumps or pivots and collapses in excruciating pain. In fact, teenage girls sustain serious knee injuries, like ACL tears, at much higher rates than boys playing the same sports.

The…

Fellowship-trained adult hip and knee reconstruction surgeon Christopher D. Mudd, M.D., of Orthopedic Associates is performing hip replacement procedures using the muscle-sparing direct anterior technique for patients meeting specific criteria. Patients who would like to…

Dr. Christopher Mudd, board-certified joint replacement surgeon at Orthopedic Associates in St. Louis, is one of the few surgeons in the area who currently does direct anterior total hip arthroplasty, otherwise known as anterior hip replacement.

An innovative, less invasive procedure, the…