WHAT IS ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY?

Orthopedic (also spelled "Orthopaedic") Surgery is the medical specialty that cares for injuries of the limbs and spine. Sports Medicine involves treatment and prevention of sport and athletic-related injuries. As Orthopedic Surgeons, we treat broken bones (fractures), hand and foot problems, bursitis and arthritis. We also care for muscle strains,  ligament sprains, tendon and nerve injuries. Many of these problems can be treated non-surgically with physical therapy, medication, casts, splints, braces and education. In addition, we are all very experienced in the surgical repair of broken bones when casting or splinting will not give our patients the best result.

We perform many types of operations including arthroscopic surgery of the knee, shoulder and other joints. Arthroscopic surgery is "microsurgery" using a lighted telescope and miniature instruments inserted through several tiny incisions. Torn cartilage, ruptured ligaments, chronic shoulder pain(impingement) and rotator cuff tears can often be treated using the arthroscope.

Joints damaged by arthritis or injury, particularly the hip and knee, can often be replaced with artificial joints (partial and total joint replacements). We will be happy to discuss with you this extremely successful technique of relieving pain and restoring function.

We are also experienced in surgery of the hand, as well as microsurgery. Another innovative surgical technique that is very successful is endoscopic or "mini incision" carpal tunnel release. This is a significant improvement over the older "blind" and open incision technique. Patients have very little discomfort and can resume activities very soon after the procedure.

EMERGENCIES

During office hours, call our office immediately. Identify yourself and the type of problem and our staff will take proper action. After office hours, call our office and your message will be relayed to the doctor on call. For any serious emergency, go directly to the emergency room at Brandon Regional Hospital, South Bay Hospital, or the nearest hospital emergency room, or call 911. Inform the clerk, physician and the emergency room staff that you are a patient of ours. We can often speed your care by supplying information and directions to the hospital staff. No matter where you receive urgent care (a hospital, doctor’s office or walk-in clinic) you have the right to see the orthopedic surgeon of your choice. Even if you are given an HMO referral or another orthopedic surgeon is recommended, please ask the referring doctor to call us (or feel free to call yourself ), so that we can continue to provide you with personalized, state-of-the-art care.

TELEPHONE CALLS

Except in a true emergency, the doctors’ schedules make it hard for them to return your call until the end of the day. To help us answer any concerns, please give the receptionist all pertinent details along with a phone number where you can be reached after office hours.

In many cases, a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or orthopedic medical assistant may be able to answer your question and will call by the end of the working day. If you have a problem or significant change in your condition, you will need to make an appointment so the doctor can evaluate and treat you properly.

FEES

Orthopedic surgery is a highly specialized field that requires the physicians to have many additional years of training plus extensive staff and equipment to accommodate your needs. We make every effort to assure that our fees are reasonable and comparable to other orthopedic surgeons in the community. In most cases, fees, physician reimbursements, and patient co-pays are out of our control, and are set by the government or insurance plans.