Learn more about Dr. Heckman and what makes our office different.
Dr. Michael M. Heckman takes pride in offering high-quality, personal care to all our patients. We want every patient to have a positive experience working with us and experience the best possible outcome from the care we provide them.
Everyone on our staff understands the importance of communicating with our patients and responding timely to their inquiries regarding such issues as appointments, insurance, billing, medications, and referrals. We have a wide range of services and specialists available to our patients, all of which are focused on getting them back to their healthy, active lifestyles as soon as possible.
Medical Education
Dr. Heckman attended the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Medical School graduating with his MD degree in 1983. He finished his General Surgery Internship and Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia in 1988.
Fellowship Training
Following his residency, Dr. Heckman completed an Orthopaedic Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery fellowship at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, Alabama. Under the supervision of Dr. James R. Andrews MD he learned specialized arthroscopic and surgical techniques treating and rehabilitating injuries in patients from high school athletes to well known professionals. During his fellowship year he was provided with the opportunity to work for with the Orthopaedic Associates of Aspen, Colorado treating injured skiers and locals from both the Aspen and Snowmass ski areas.
Dr. Heckman completed additional fellowship training in 1991 with Dr. Charles A. Rockwood MD at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Department of Orthopaedics focusing on reconstructive surgery of the shoulder.
Board Certification
Dr. Heckman was Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in July, 1991 after successfully passing both written and oral board examinations. He has re-certified with the board twice by re-testing in January, 2002 and July, 2011.
Dr. Heckman has also been Board Certified By the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in the sub-specialty of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine since December, 2010.
Academic Appointments
Dr. Heckman is a Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He is actively involved working with the Orthopaedic residents both in his office and the operating room since 2004 instructing them primarily in arthroscopic surgical techniques on the knee and shoulder. Additionally, he provides assistance and guidance with ongoing Orthopaedic resident research projects involving sports medicine, arthroscopy and Biologic (stem cell) treatments.
Sports Medicine and Team Physician Activities
Prior to relocating his Orthopaedic practice to San Antonio, Dr. Heckman had served as the team physician and orthopaedic consultant for numerous Texas Coastal Bend area high schools. He has supported amateur athletics by acting as the medical director and coordinator of the Texas Amateur Athletic Games.
At the professional level he has served as an Orthopaedic consultant for the Texas-Louisiana ProfessionalClass AA Baseball League and as the team physician for both the Corpus Christi AA Barracudas baseball team and the Corpus Christi IceRayz Professional Hockey Team. During the time he practiced orthopedic surgery in Corpus Christi he worked closely with local coaches, physical therapists and athletic trainers at the high school through professional levels stressing open communication and access to his practice for athletic injury assessment and treatment.
Dr. Heckman is a strong advocate of continued sports medicine education. He has acted as the program director for the annual meeting of the Sports Medicine Section of the Texas Orthopaedic Association and originated/directed the annual University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio / Spohn-Christus Hospital sponsored “South Texas Sports Medicine Workshops”.
These yearly workshops focused on educating South Texas physicians, physical therapists and athletic trainers by providing nationally recognized sports medicine experts as speakers and by giving workshop participants the opportunity for hands on experience in dealing with sports related injuries. He has been a guest lecturer at the American Sports Medicine Institute’s nationally recognized “Injuries in Baseball Course” and has had the privilege, by invitation, to address the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association. He has been and continues to be a strong supporter of both athletic trainers and physical therapists regarding state legislation affecting their professions and professional services.
Research Grants and Awards
Dr. Heckman has been the recipient of research grants from the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, the American Sports Medicine Institute, and the Robert P. Kelly Orthopaedic Society. These grants were provided for research projects ranging from the diagnosis and treatment of compartment syndromes to documenting the effects of knee anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in skeletally immature athletes.
He has received research awards from the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, the Southern Orthopaedic Association, the Eastern Orthopaedic Association, the Medical College of Georgia, the Robert P. Kelly Orthopaedic Society of Emory University, and the American Orthopaedic Association. He was the recipient of the 2000 Gregory-Portland Independent School District “Friends of Education Award” recognizing his years of service and dedication to both the school district and the community. He has been selected by his physician peers as being one of “The Best Doctors in America” and “Best Doctors in San Antonio” for the last 21 years. Vitals.com has awarded Dr. Heckman it’s “Patient Choice Award” in 2016, 2017 and 2018 given to the top 1% of it’s physicians based on patient reviews.
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
Dr. Heckman is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. He has served the Academy as a member of the AAOS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee from 1998 – 2004. This AAOS committee is responsible for writing the Orthopedic Sports Medicine Assessment Examinations used to test and instruct other Orthopedic surgeons on the advances and changes in sports medicine.
Publications, Articles, and Textbook Chapters
Dr. Heckman has presented his own research and/or has been invited to discuss and critique other physicians papers at national and regional Orthopaedic surgical educational meetings including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Orthopaedic Research Society, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, the American Orthopaedic Association, the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, the Southern Orthopaedic Association, the Eastern Orthopaedic Association, the American Sports Medicine Fellowship Society and the Alamo Orthopaedic Society.
He has numerous articles and abstracts published in Orthopaedic surgery peer reviewed journals including the “Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery”, the “Journal of Arthroscopy”, the “Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons”, “Orthopaedics”, the “Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma”, the “Southern Medical Journal”, “Perspectives in Orthopaedic Surgery”, The American Journal Of Orthopaedics, and Techniques in Orthopaedics. He has contributed textbook chapters to four different Orthopaedic surgery texts including “Diagnostic and Operative Arthroscopy” (Andrews and Timmerman, Eds.), “Operative Arthroscopy” (Caspari and McGinty, Eds.), “Operative Foot Surgery” (Gould, Ed.), and “Robb and Smiths Operative Surgery- Orthopaedics” (Dudley, Carter, Russell, Eds.)
Arthroscopic Surgical Product Development
Dr. Heckman has designed Orthopaedic surgical tools and implants used by both himself and other Orthopaedic surgeons in their practices. This instrumentation includes customized arthroscopic canula systems and meniscal cartilage biters (Dyonics/Smith and Nephew). To assist in reconstructive anterior cruciate knee ligament surgery he has developed bone graft capturing devices and specialized washerless “Heckman” tibial fixation screws (Biomet/Arthrotek). He is currently working with biologic and arthroscopic instrument companies on devices to simplify and improve arthroscopic techniques using BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate) and amniotic cells in Orthopaedic surgery.
New Patients Welcome
We are accepting new patients. Acute injuries will be scheduled as quickly as possible. Please contact the office to make an appointment.
ACL 4
When I tore my ACL I was devastated, but Dr. Heckman helped to assure me that I would come back better than ever and play again. He always made sure that I knew this was just a little setback and nothing that I couldn’t overcome. Due to this he not only helped me physically but also helped me to overcome the mental obstacle that comes with this injury. Dr. Heckman would check in during PT sessions and make sure that I was doing everything right and on track, which was super reassuring. He also took the time to explain the things he was doing and what he was looking at, which not only helped me learn but it allowed me to understand my recovery and the things I was going through. Dr. Heckman’s aggressive protocol and not having to wear a brace made returning to playing easy and I was confident in my knee. Going to Dr. Heckman was the best decision and I cannot thank him enough for everything he did for me.
ACL 3
Dr. Heckman has been nothing but great to me. When I first found out that I tore my ACL he was very comforting in the way he told me. He made sure to let me know that I would get back on that field better than ever. When a doctor has confidence in you it helps you to have confidence in yourself. I remember one time I was at Physical Therapy at the location right by his office. He comes in very often and checks on his patients and sees how they are doing. This was about six days after my surgery and he noticed that I had some limited range of motion. In a very nice, calm way he explained to me that he had to take me back to his office to drain my knee for the second time. I was extremely scared and nervous, but I had some relief because I knew I was in good hands. And because Dr. Heckman came and checked on me during my physical therapy session, I was able to get the right treatment that I needed at that time and was able to dodge a setback. I would recommend anyone with a shoulder or knee injury to go to Dr. Heckman because I can say from personal experience that you will be in the best hands possible.
ACL 2
My experience with doctor Heckman was incredible. There aren’t enough words that I can use to describe how blessed I am to have had such an amazing Doctor by my side. He has helped me get back to doing what I love with all of his constant support and guidance throughout my recovery. He is definitely a one of a kind Doctor and I wouldn’t be where I am today without him. Due to having two knee injuries, Doctor Heckman not only helped my conquer my injuries physically but mentally. He was always there to reassure me that I will be stronger than ever and with that he was right! I have never felt more confident in myself and I feel better than I ever had even before my knee surgeries. I am forever thankful to have such a phenomenal person to help me achieve my dreams.
ACL 1
My experience with Doctor Heckman is definitely something I will never forget. When I tore my ACL I thought my journey on coming back stronger was done, but when I met Dr. Heckman he really cared about me coming back one hundred percent and you were never treated as a number but as one of his own. He really motivated me to keep pushing no matter how bad the situation was. I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for him. Him and his team really did everything to help me spiritually, physically, and mentally get back to being me. For that I couldn’t ever thank him enough.
Robert Shores
Dr. Heckman was fantastic! He repaired my shoulder tear and in less than 6 months I am almost back to 100%. He answered all my questions and went above and beyond. Highly recommend Dr. Heckman
Deanna Huerta
Dr. Heckman and his team are absolutely wonderful. He’s repaired both of my ACL’s and recently fixed my meniscus. They are compassionate and detailed with what will happen.
Jane Hausman
Dr. Heckman is fantastic !! I went to him 6 weeks ago and was having really bad anxiety. After he adjusted me the first time I felt like a totally different person. He has also straightened out my digestive system and my hip flexors. I would give him 1,000 stars and highly recommend him.
K A
This Doc is. Pro, been going to him for frozen shoulder , both and he is very knowledgeable, skilled and very professional and polite. As my self in the medical field you only come by few like Dr Hickman. I strongly recommend him.
Tim Moses
Dr. Heckman is awesome. One of the best if not the best. Has taken care of my kids and also my knee. I recommend using him if ever in need of knee surgery, he has been gifted in his work and has a great personality!!! Thank you.
Joyce Wright
Highly recommend Dr. Heckman. Through his superb treatment I have avoided knee replacement surgery for 4 years & no pain in knees during that time. He does an excellent job with shoulder pain too. The best knee & shoulder expert ever.
Our Team
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