Harold Cates MD, TOA Joint Replacement Specialist

07/17/2025

❓ What are shin splints, and how are they treated?

Shin splints are a common exercise-related issue. Shin splints are an inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around your tibia, or “shin bone”. Pain from shin splints typically occurs along the inner border of the tibia, where muscles attach to the bone.

Since the common cause of shin splints is overuse, it is important to start treatment with several weeks of rest from the activity that caused the pain. Other treatments include, but are not limited to:

🔹 Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen
🔹 Ice
🔹 Compression
🔹 Flexibility exercises
🔹 Supportive shoes
🔹 Orthotic shoe inserts

07/10/2025

Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance East Tennessee is proud to offer online scheduling to better serve our patients and their busy lifestyles. Our online scheduling portal is quick and easy. Click the link below to fill out a short form and schedule a time that is convenient for you.

We can't wait to better serve you this summer!

👉 https://toc.radixhealth.com/dash/self/?scct=c32f4276-952a-4a46-80b2-5068c3b71e92 #/schedule/DE8E8AB8-69FC-4688-926F-F9D41F2B1DE7/search

07/08/2025

We are excited to welcome our newest location... Fountain City!

Experience top care at our orthopedic clinic with expert orthopedic doctors, specialists, and surgeons. Offering orthopedic urgent care and walk-in services in Knoxville, TN, Oak Ridge, TN, Sevierville, TN, and Lenoir City, TN.

07/04/2025

We wish you a safe and memorabl July 4th holiday.

07/03/2025

💧 As the days heat up, it's important to remember how crucial proper hydration is for our joints. The cushioning surrounding joints is primarily composed of water, so when we are dehydrated, there is a decrease in the cushioning, which leads to stiffness and pain. Maintaining proper hydration helps to keep our joints lubricated and free from inflammation.

06/26/2025

Dr. Hal Cates is a joint replacement surgeon at Orthopaedic Alliance East Tennessee's Parkwest location.
Dr. Cates specializes in total joint replacement, complex cases, minimally invasive surgeries, and NAVIO robotics. Dr. Cates has been with us for over 30 years and is one of his field's most talented and educated surgeons.

06/19/2025

🧘‍♀️ Stretching is an important component of joint health.
Regular stretching helps improve circulation to the joints, providing joint lubrication. Stretching also increases flexibility and range of motion, which helps to keep our joints in motion.
We encourage patients to incorporate regular stretching into their day.

What is your favorite stretch?

06/15/2025

Happy Father's Day!

06/12/2025

👨 June is , and we want to share the importance of bone health in men, as it is often overlooked.
🩻 25% of men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. And men are twice as likely as women to die after a hip fracture.

Men, we hope you take your bone health seriously this month, and every month. Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance East Tennessee has a fantastic bone health clinic that we encourage you to utilize should you need help with your bone health.

06/05/2025

While surgery might not seem ideal, knee replacement surgery can help patients live a fuller and more active life.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, total knee replacement surgery is one of the most successful surgeries in medicine. It nearly guarantees patients come out on the other side with less pain and a better quality of life.

05/29/2025

May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month. Our very own Katrina Aberdeen is a provider at Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance East Tennessee's Bone Health and Osteoporosis Clinic.

Osteoporosis, known as the "silent disease", is a bone disease that develops when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone or both. This can result in a decrease in bone strength that ultimately increases the risk of breaking a bone (fracture). A fracture can lead to pain, loss of mobility, a change in lifestyle, loss of independence, and the potential for more fractures in the future.

Visit Katrina in our Bone Health Clinic for a bone health evaluation. Your body will thank you later!

05/28/2025

We are here for YOU!

⏰ Open Late, So You Don’t Have to Wait!

Life doesn’t stop at 5 p.m., and neither do we. TOA Orthopedic Urgent Care is here for sprains, strains, and everything in between with extended weekday hours: 8 AM—8 PM, Monday through Friday.

Skip the ER. Walk in and get expert orthopedic care when you need it most.