Dr. Richard Nix Named One of Best Doctors in America®

We would like to congratulate Dr. Richard Nix for being selected as one of the Best Doctors in America®.

New Relief for Osteoarthritis Patients

A new surgical option is offering new hope to Arkansans with osteoarthritis. OrthoArkansas surgeon Dr. John Yocum is one of only a few in the country who knows how to perform this procedure, which is an alternative to total hip replacement. See the video on Arkansasmatters.com

OrthoArkansas welcomes Dr. Richard Wirges

Dr. Richard Wirges was born in Russellville, AR, and attended Arkansas Tech University for his undergraduate degree and UAMS for his medical degree. He then completed his surgical internship and general surgery residency at Texas Tech University and his hand surgery fellowship with Kleinert, Kutz, and Associates in Louisville, KY.

Dr. Wirges has been practicing in Louisville since completion of his fellowship. Due to his strong desire to return “home”, he chose to join OrthoArkansas.

As a hand surgery specialist, he treats patients of all ages with a variety of conditions. He is Board Certified and a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.

Dr. Wirges and his wife, Marla, live with their two children Nathan and Lindsey. They are actively involved in their children’s activities and in their spare time enjoy travel, athletics, and physical fitness... Read Dr. Wirges' full bio here.

Jason Cates Arkansas Athletic Trainer of the Year

Tireless efforts net trainer high honor...

It was a simple reverse play to Terrell L’Herise, with wide receiver Demetrius Harris providing the interference on the edge. But a Mountain Home defender slipped underneath Harris and dove on top of L’Herise’s foot just as he planted it.

It was one of the two worst injuries Jacksonville head coach Mark Whatley has ever witnessed. L’Herise, an outstanding athlete with a promising future, had suffered a complete dislocation of his knee. He is still in rehabilitation and likely has a year more of it ahead.

“That ranked right up there,” said Whatley, who will be starting his fourth season at the Red Devil helm this fall. “When I was at Southern Arkansas University, I had a kid sever an artery. But Terrell’s was as bad as I’ve seen.”

And yet, thanks to Jacksonville athletic trainer Jason Cates, L’Herise, who graduated last month, hasn’t abandoned dreams of playing again. Cates has been working with L’Herise ever since, but has gone beyond what anyone might have expected of a man who, after all, isn’t even an employee of Jacksonville High School. Cates works for Ortho Arkansas, which donates Cates’ time to the school... Read the Full Article Here | You can also read Jason's bio here.

Orthopedic Center of Excellence

BAPTIST HEALTH Medical Center-Little Rock has been serving the needs of patients for over 30 years. Similarly, the orthopedic surgeons of OrthoArkansas Orthopedics and Sports Medicine have cared for patient’s experiencing orthopedic problems for decades.  The two have partnered together to offer patients the finest orthopedic care with state-of-the-art procedures and technologies. 

As a part of our Orthopedic Center of Excellence, our specialized joint replacement program provides patients with extensive pre-operative education designed to communicate to patients and their coach precisely what to expect throughout the surgery, recovery and rehabilitation. 

The Orthopedic Center of Excellence incorporates a team approach to treatment involving the orthopedic surgeon, physician assistant, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, case managers and other professionals.  Patients who undergo joint replacement surgery and participate in the “Joint Replacement Team” are typically happier, which leads to better satisfaction and better outcome from the joint replacement surgery. After all, these patients are not sick; they are here to be relieved of their arthritic joint pain.

It is important to recognize that The Orthopedic Center of Excellence is far more than just a place.  Rather it is a philosophy, which inspires each member of the team to provide the best and most innovative care available to patients with joint problems.  Our team of dedicated professionals takes great pride in the years of experience, dedication and understanding that we bring to each patient who honors us with their trust.