General Practitioners

• Osteoporosis
• Arthritis
  This disorder can affect one joint or multiple joints. Over 100 different types of arthritis have been identified, but the two most common types of arthritis are: osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
• Medical Weight Loss
  Maintaining a healthy weight will reduce the risk of developing OA or reduce symptoms if you already have OA. Eating a healthy diet is important not only for weight loss but to reduce inflammation. Choose a diet with lots of antioxidants like fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish. We recommend avoiding fried foods, dairy products, processed foods, and large amounts of meat. Incorporating regular exercise into your lifestyle will help keep your joints flexible. Many people who struggle with arthritis prefer swimming because it doesn’t put pressure on your joints as walking would. However, do not overexert yourself. Listen to your body and exercise at an appropriate rate.
• Rheumatology
  Your Southlake Orthopaedics’ physician will refer you to a rheumatology physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of RA conditions.
• Primary Care
  If you think you are experiencing arthritis symptoms, start by scheduling a visit with your primary care physician. They will perform a physical exam and check for fluid around your joints, red or warm joints, and the range of motion in your joints. If necessary, your doctor will refer you to a specialist.
• Emergency Care
  A dislocated shoulder will cause significant pain, no matter which direction it pulls away from the joint. To treat a dislocation, your physician will manipulate the bone back into the socket in a process called reduction. This commonly occurs in the emergency room.

Gynecologists

• Pregnancy

Internists

• Internal Medicine
  I have worked in the health care profession for 33 years and worked alongside many physicians; I can honestly say that Dr. Heck is a compassionate doctor who truly cares for his patients. I have severely progressive and degenerative scoliosis (idiopathic) and my Internal Medicine physician, Dr. Wilhelm referred me to Dr. Heck.
• Prostate Cancer

Neurologists

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  The condition is caused by the swelling in the tissues surrounding the flexor tendons in the wrist. The median nerve, one of the major nerves in the hand, is being squeezed as it travels through the wrist. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist, only about an inch wide. The roof of the carpal tunnel is a band of connective tissue called the transverse carpal ligament. The transverse carpal boundaries are rigid, so the carpal tunnel has no room to increase in size. The median nerve goes down the arm and forearm, passing through the carpal tunnel at the wrist. The median nerve provides feeling in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers. It also controls the muscles around the thumb. The tendons used to bend the fingers and thumb also travel through the carpal tunnel, and these are known as the flexor tendons.To further explain, carpal tunnel occurs when the tunnel narrows as the tissues surrounding the flexor tendons swell, causing pressure on the median nerve. The tissues are called the synovium. When everything is operating as it should, the synovium lubricates the tendons, allowing your fingers to move. When the synovium swells, it consumes the space in the carpal tunnel and eventually crowds the nerve. The abnormal pressure on the median nerve can result in pain, tingling, and numbness in the hand.

Psychiatrists

• Anxiety

Endocrinologist

• Diabetes Care
• Thyroid

Radiologist

• MRI
  From beginning to end my visit was very organized and professional. I was seen for a shoulder issue that turned out didnt require surgery (I was grateful) but was given a shot and Dr Blum was excellent in his delivery of that injection! They took different X-ray views in addition to those by my PCP to get different perspective of my shoulder, he examined me, reviewed my MRI report and explained my situation. Excellent doctor. Dr Booker also performed both of my husbands shoulder surgeries...Br Bonatz has worked on his hands. Great group of docs!
• Radiology
  Our MRI facility is accredited through the American College of Radiology and staffed with Board Certified Radiologists and ARRT Certified Technologists. We are equipped with the Hitachi Echelon™ 1.5 Tesla machine, which is a “short bore” magnet model. This means it is about half the length of a standard MRI, and patients are positioned feet first for the test. Many who have anxiety about tight spaces find this type of MRI more comfortable.
• X-Rays
• Computed Tomography
  X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans are used to project an image of your bones and cartilage. This is done so doctors can rule out any other possible causes of your symptoms.

Surgeons

• General Surgery
  Southlake Orthopaedics does not rush to perform surgery as a first course of treatment, but when it is necessary to approach your orthopaedic condition with a surgical procedure, you can trust our board certified surgeons to take excellent care of you.
• Orthopedics
  Although in the United States, this medical specialty is commonly spelled “orthopedics,” Southlake Orthopaedics chooses to follow the formal spelling favored by universities and medical residency programs. We just happen to think it’s the best way to spell what we do.
• Arthroscopy
  However, when it’s possible to use a less invasive approach, our surgeons will employ arthroscopy. This is a common surgical procedure in which a joint (arthro-) is viewed (-scopy) using a small camera. Arthroscopy gives doctors a clear view of the inside of the joint.
• Wound Care
  One specialized skill of our therapists is the fabrication of any necessary orthotics and splints. Due to advancements in technology and materials, custom made splints are often used in place of casts. Benefits of a custom splint include personal fit, superior stabilization, reduced bulk and the ability to remove the splint for skin and wound care.
• Pinched Nerve
  Pain that radiates from the neck and shoulder down the arm is often due to an injury at the root of a nerve. Commonly called a “pinched” nerve, the term for this condition is called cervical radiculopathy.
• Joint Replacement
  If nonsurgical treatment is unsuccessful, there are many surgical options to consider. If there is any way the joint can be preserved or reconstructed, this method is usually chosen. When the damage is severe enough, a joint replacement or a fusion (arthrodesis) is performed. As with any surgical procedure, you should consult with an orthopaedist who is well versed in current surgical techniques and discuss the best option for your particular needs.
• Cyst Removal
  A ganglion cyst can also be removed through outpatient surgery. Ganglion Cyst Removal However, there is always a chance that the cyst will regrow after either surgical excision or aspiration procedures are performed
• Hand Surgery
  At Southlake Orthopaedics, we have physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of your hands, wrists and forearms. They are experts in hand surgery, which is a sub-specialty of orthopaedics requiring additional training dealing with complexities of hand anatomy and micro-vascular conditions.
• Orthopedic Surgery
  Dr. Michael Smith is very excited about the opportunity to return to his hometown and practice orthopedic surgery at Southlake Orthopaedics. Both Dr. Smith and his wife love Birmingham & Hoover, and think it is a great privilege to serve in such a dynamic community. Dr. Smith believes in patient-centered care that is thoughtful and focused on the patient’s goals. As a fellowship trained hand surgeon & upper extremity surgeon, he is happy to provide treatments for ailments related to the shoulder, elbow, hand or microvascular problems.
• Bunions
  Comprised of 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than a hundred muscles, tendons, and ligaments, your feet and ankles take a beating everyday carrying your body weight and absorbing the shock of every step you take. From fractures to arthritis to bunions and hammer toes, the physicians at Southlake have the expertise to treat your foot and ankle injuries.
• Arthroscopy
  Arthroscopy is a procedure orthopaedic surgeons use to both diagnose and to surgically treat problems inside a joint. The word arthroscopy comes from two Greek words: “arthro” (joint) and “skopein” (to look). The term literally means “to look within the joint.”
• Hip Replacement
  Hip replacement surgery is a safe and effective procedure (also called total hip arthroplasty) that can relieve your pain, increase motion, and help you get back to enjoying everyday activities.
• Knee Replacement
  I was struggling with severe pain in both knees as a result of three motorcycle accidents and air craft mishaps while serving in the military. My Family Physician recommended that I see Dr. Dewey Jones IV. This was the best decision I ever made regarding my struggles with injured and worn out knees. I initially tried a less invasive outpatient procedure suggested by Dr. Jones, which provided significant relief for six months, exactly as Dr. Jones indicated it would. This gave me the time to consider the more permanent solution which was the total knee replacement.
• Reconstructive Surgery
  While every patient is different, a qualified orthopaedic surgeon can perform a total replacement of the knee in a procedure known as arthroplasty. If your physician agrees that non-operative means have been exhausted, he may recommend this type of reconstructive surgery.

Dermatologists

• Cyst

Physical Therapists

• Sports Medicine
  We are a multi-specialty orthopedic center offering board-certified specialists in sports medicine; spine (surgical and non-surgical); hand and wrist; foot and ankle. We use only the most advanced technology and procedures available. By holding ourselves to the highest standards of excellence, we ensure that we are worthy of our patients’ trust. Make an appointment with Southlake Orthopaedics in Hoover, AL today.
• Physical Therapy
  Functional movement is central to what it means to be healthy. When you experience an injury or illness that impacts your ability to move and perform daily activities, physical therapy (PT) may be the answer. Physical therapy can also be an effective alternative or addition to medication and surgery for relieving musculoskeletal pain.
• Occupational Therapy
  You can think of occupational therapy (OT) as focusing on the typical day-to-day tasks that “occupy” our time, helping patients develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills. Occupational therapists often help clients improve their basic motor functions. They are also qualified to instruct those with permanent disabilities, such as spinal cord injuries, in the use of adaptive equipment, including wheelchairs, orthotics, and aids for eating and dressing.
• Tennis Elbow
  Tennis elbow is an inflammation of the tendons that connect the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow. When the same motion is repeated over and over, the muscles and tendons in the forearms become damaged. This is what creates the pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow..
• Shoulder Pain
• Neck Pain
• Back Pain
• Manual Therapy
  When you need a rehabilitation specialist, Southlake Orthopaedics offers a highly trained staff of occupational and physical therapists that stand ready to provide you with the highest quality of care. Our therapists specialize in manual therapy, upper extremity and hand rehabilitation, sports medicine, back and neck, as well as custom splinting.
• Orthotics and Prosthetic Therapy

Podiatrists

• Ankle Sprain
  I had been dealing with a chronic ankle injury I incurred by all things, a sweet gum ball! Being a very active and busy retired individual, one afternoon I was showing family members my pray garden in the
• Bunions Problems
  Bunions occur when pressure is applied to the side of the big toe. When forced toward the other toes, and sometimes over or under them, the tissues surrounding the joint may become swollen and tender. Often, a bump appears at the base of the big toe where it joins the foot (mesophalangeal joint). The bigger your bunion gets, the more it hurts to walk.
• Flat Feet
  Problems with your feet, such as hypermobile feet, fallen arches, or overpronation can change the way you walk and lead to knee pain.
• Hammertoes
  When we wear shoes that are too small, too tight, too high-heeled, or too pointed in the toe box, it can lead to the formation of a painful bunion or hammer toe, especially in cases where someone is genetically pre-disposed to develop these deformities.
• Podiatric Surgery