Dr. Moose Herring

Dr. Moose Herring The opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of OrthoVirginia.

🏃‍♂️Athlete Treating Athletes
💪Fellowship-Trained Ortho Surgeon specializing in Shoulder Replacement, Rotator Cuff & ACL.
📍OrthoVirginia Richmond, VA
➡️ Book an appointment at the link in my About Section

Patient Spotlight: Ali Doswell One of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing patients get back to the things they...
08/03/2026

Patient Spotlight: Ali Doswell

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing patients get back to the things they love.

Earlier this year, Ali underwent a meniscus root repair. As a former college basketball player and triathlete, the thought of being non-weight bearing on crutches for weeks felt almost impossible.

She recently shared some thoughts about her recovery.

She wrote that one of the biggest mindset shifts was realizing surgery wasn't the end of the activities she loved. It was simply a step toward getting back to them.

The first few weeks weren't easy, but instead of focusing on what she couldn't do, she focused on what she could. She coached basketball, spent time with family and friends, stayed active with upper-body workouts and the SkiErg, and finally made time for things like reading and mindfulness.

As the weeks went by, she started celebrating the little victories that most of us take for granted. Putting on a sock without help. Getting into the car normally. Making her first full pedal stroke on the bike.

"The recovery plan started to seem like just another triathlon training plan. My PT team laid out the steps, and I just had to follow the plan and keep showing up."

Today, just over six months later, she's completed her first triathlon since surgery and won first female! She is also back playing basketball.

She ended her note with a reminder I think every patient needs to hear: Recovery isn't always linear. It's slow, fast, difficult, and fun all at once. Just keep going.

Thanks for sharing your story, Ali. I'm so excited to see what's next for you!

07/31/2026

One of the things I appreciate most about taking care of athletes is seeing how many people come together to help them recover.

As a surgeon, I'm one piece of the puzzle. Physical therapists, athletic trainers, family, friends, coworkers, and coaches all play an important role.

ACL recovery is a long process. There are good days and frustrating days. Having people around you who encourage you, challenge you, and remind you to trust the process makes a huge difference.

Recovery is a team effort, and the best teams are built long before you ever get back to your sport.

If you tore your ACL, come see me: bit.ly/mooseherring

07/30/2026

One of the most common questions I get is, "How do you decide which type of shoulder replacement someone needs?"

The answer depends on two things: the condition of your shoulder joint and the condition of your rotator cuff.

If you have arthritis but your rotator cuff is healthy, an anatomic shoulder replacement is often the best option. If your rotator cuff is severely damaged or no longer repairable, a reverse shoulder replacement is usually the better choice.

Every shoulder is different, which is why the first step is always making the right diagnosis. We always start with conservative treatment when appropriate, but if surgery becomes the best option, choosing the right procedure can make all the difference in your recovery and long-term function.

If shoulder pain is limiting your everyday activities, come see me. Together we can figure out what's causing it and talk through the treatment options that make the most sense for you. bit.ly/mooseherring

One of the things that keeps me motivated to train is my patients.Not because everyone I see is an athlete (at least not...
07/29/2026

One of the things that keeps me motivated to train is my patients.

Not because everyone I see is an athlete (at least not by the traditional definition). Most aren’t. But almost everyone has something they want to get back to. Playing with grandkids. Traveling. Golf. Tennis. Working in the yard without pain. Those goals are just as important as finishing a race.

I feel fortunate that I get to help people work toward those goals alongside physical therapists, families, and friends who support them every step of the way.

Seeing patients make progress every day is a pretty good reminder of why it’s worth taking care of yourself.

If you’re dealing with pain, come see me: bit.ly/mooseherring

I’ve been building my workouts around Hyrox lately. This style of training is super new and my coach Master Trainer and ...
07/27/2026

I’ve been building my workouts around Hyrox lately. This style of training is super new and my coach Master Trainer and I are just exploring what works.

Happy with the way my fitness is coming along! I’m getting some great energy and enthusiasm from my coach and his gym.

This workout takes 90 min -
Goal is stay controlled for first 2 rounds and then be all in

Steady
1.5 mile run
8 min ski
8 min row
20 wall balls
2 length burpee broad jump

Harder.
1.5 mile run
4 min ski
4 min row
20 wall balls
2 length burpee long jumps

Harder
1.5 mile run
2 min meter ski
2 min row
20 wall balls
2 length burpee broad jumps

60 wall balls
1 mile run whatever is left

07/24/2026

Not every shoulder ache needs surgery. In fact, most people should start with conservative treatment first (which we always do in our clinic).

But there are a few signs that tell me it’s time to get your shoulder evaluated.

• You have pain that isn’t getting better after a few weeks.
• You can’t lift your arm like you normally can.
• You notice weakness, especially after an injury.
• Your shoulder keeps waking you up at night - this is probably the #1 reason patients decide to come in.
• You’ve tried rest, ice, medication, or physical therapy without much improvement.

The sooner we figure out what’s causing the problem, the more treatment options you usually have.

It might be a rotator cuff tear. It might be arthritis. It might not be anything that needs surgery at all.

If your shoulder is keeping you from doing the things you enjoy, don’t just wait and hope it goes away. Come see me and let’s figure out what’s going on. bit.ly/mooseherring

07/23/2026

One of the hardest parts of ACL recovery isn't the surgery or the physical therapy. It's being patient.

If I tell someone they're looking at a 9-month recovery, that can feel overwhelming, especially for someone who loves to stay active.

That's why I encourage my patients to focus on the next goal instead of the finish line. Maybe it's getting your quad to fire again. Then it's improving your range of motion. Then it's building strength. One step at a time.

Deemah has done a great job trusting the process and celebrating those milestones along the way. Recovery isn't about rushing back or letting pain decide what you're ready for. It's about making steady progress month after month.

That's how you get back to doing the things you love.

Torn your ACL? Come see me: bit.ly/mooseherring

While trying my hand at HYROX training, I've been doing A LOT of sled pushes and pulls. They're not complicated, but the...
07/22/2026

While trying my hand at HYROX training, I've been doing A LOT of sled pushes and pulls. They're not complicated, but they're super difficult.

If you're looking for a way to build strength and conditioning at the same time, these are where it's at. It gets your heart rate up, builds leg strength, and challenges your core.

You don't need to spend 30 minutes on the sled either. A few hard pushes and pulls will usually do the trick.

Every time I do it I'm reminded there's always room to get better!

Sometimes my family gives me a hard time for waking up early, training, and signing up for races that probably don't mak...
07/20/2026

Sometimes my family gives me a hard time for waking up early, training, and signing up for races that probably don't make a whole lot of sense. I don’t blame them!

Last week, I texted my son Jacob, to check on him. He'd been working outside at camp during the heat and poor air quality.

He caught me by surprise. He said he'd never seen me quit, no matter how hard things got, and thanked me for being a role model. That meant a lot.

I don't train because I expect anyone to notice. I do it because I think there's value in doing hard things and keeping the promises you make to yourself.

If that has rubbed off on my kids even a little bit, that's a whole lot more meaningful than any race or finish line.

I'm so proud of Jacob. Being resilient, working hard, and never giving up when things get tough are qualities that will serve him well for the rest of his life.

07/17/2026

There’s a big mental side to ACL injuries that we don’t talk about enough.

For someone like Deemah, who is incredibly strong, active, and trains every day, an ACL tear takes you from 60 miles an hour to a complete stop. That’s tough physically, but it’s also a huge mental adjustment.

When I heard Deemah had torn her ACL, I knew she was going to attack her recovery with the same grit and determination she brings to everything else. In fact, I knew our biggest challenge might be slowing her down.

ACL recovery is a long process, but Deemah is putting in the work. I’m looking forward to watching her continue to get stronger over the next several months and come out on the other side of this ready to go.

Keep it up, Deemah!

Address

7858 Shrader Road
Richmond, VA
23294

Telephone

+18042701305

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