James H. Nelson
M.D.
As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. James Nelson specializes in providing complete care for a range of bone, joint, and muscle injuries and conditions. In orthopedics, more than other surgical specialties, physical improvement can often be seen after treatment, which he finds encouraging to himself and his patients. As a Willmar native, Dr. Nelson is honored to serve the needs of the West Central Minnesota community, offering care for hip, knee, and shoulder pain, rotator cuff tears, and hand and upper extremity injuries as well as total joint replacements.
Orthopedics involves helping patients get better functionally, and physical function is a vital part of everyone’s life: Dr. Nelson included. He values spending time with his family and being able to do the things he enjoys, like cycling, hunting, fishing, and woodworking.
Dr. Nelson is available to see patients at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists in Alexandria and Willmar.
Education & Training
- Undergraduate Degree: Chemistry, Augustana University, Sioux Falls, SD
- Medical Degree: Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE
- Orthopedic Surgery Residency: William Beaumont Army Medical Center/Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX
- Board Certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Professional Affiliations
- Member, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Member, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons
Military Service
- Promotion to Major: United States Army, 2015
- Deployment (6 Months): 911th Forward Surgical Team, 2014
- Combat Casualty Care Course: Camp Bullis, TX, 2010
- Commissioned Officer, Captain: United States Army, 2009
- Active Duty Training, Orthopedic Surgery Clinical Clerkship: Brooke Army Medical Center and William Beaumont Army Medical Center, 2008
- Officer Basic Course: Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX, 2006
- Commissioned Officer, 2nd Lieutenant: United States Army Reserve, 2005
Special Interests
- Carpal Tunnel and Cubital Tunnel Surgery
- Knee Arthroscopy
- Knee Ligament Reconstructions
- Meniscus Repair
- Nonoperative Care of Arthritis and Sports Injuries
- Robotic Total Hip Replacement Surgery (Direct Anterior Approach)
- Robotic Total and Partial Knee Replacement Surgery
- Rotator Cuff Repair
- Shoulder Arthroscopy
- Shoulder Instability Surgery
- Surgical and Nonoperative Fracture Care
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