Living in Central Florida means you probably want to be active year-round. Whether you enjoy walking the boardwalk at Crane's Roost Park or kayaking down the Wekiva River, chronic pain can bring your lifestyle to a screeching halt. Ignoring that nagging knee ache or shoulder stiffness often leads to worse injuries down the road.
If you're looking for an orthopedic surgeon Altamonte Springs Florida, you're likely tired of sitting on the sidelines. The good news is that modern orthopedic care focuses heavily on saving your joints and getting you moving again, often without major surgery. We help residents across Orange and Seminole counties find the right path to recovery, starting with the least invasive options first.
What Conditions Do Orthopedic Surgeons Treat?
Orthopedic surgeons treat injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. While we see plenty of acute sports injuries, the most common issues we treat in Florida are osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tears, and chronic back pain.
Our warm, humid climate has a unique effect on joint health. Many of our patients report that their arthritis flares up when the barometric pressure drops before those daily afternoon thunderstorms in the summer. Additionally, the year-round golfing season in communities like Lake Mary means we see a high volume of overuse injuries, specifically tennis elbow and rotator cuff tendonitis.
Can I Get Treated Without Leaving Home?
Yes, you can receive an initial orthopedic evaluation and follow-up care from the comfort of your living room through telemedicine. This is a safe, convenient option if you're in pain and want to avoid the drive down I-4.
Our telemedicine services allow providers to evaluate muscle, tendon, and joint pain virtually. We can also review MRI results, order blood work, and refill non-narcotic prescriptions. It’s an affordable option, too. For self-pay patients, a new patient consultation is just $75, and established patient visits are $50. Most insurance plans also cover these visits, so check with your provider.
What Non-Surgical Treatments Work Best?
Non-surgical treatments like physical therapy and injections are the first line of defense for over 90% of orthopedic complaints. Before we ever discuss surgery, we usually recommend a 6 to 8-week course of conservative care to see if the body can heal itself with a little help.
In our experience treating patients in Altamonte Springs and Orange City, the most effective non-surgical options include:
- Physical Therapy (PT): Strengthening the muscles around a joint takes the pressure off the bone. We work with top local therapists to design regimens that fit your capabilities.
- Viscosupplementation: This involves injecting a gel-like fluid (hyaluronic acid) into the knee joint to lubricate it. It acts like oil in a squeaky hinge and provides relief for 6 months or more.
- Corticosteroid Injections: These powerful anti-inflammatory shots can drastically reduce pain and swelling, allowing you to participate in PT more effectively.
How Does Regenerative Medicine Help?
Regenerative medicine helps your body repair its own damaged tissues using biological substances like platelets and stem cells. This is an exciting field for patients who want to avoid surgery but haven't found relief with standard injections.
At our Orthopedic Center for Regenerative Medicine, we offer Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy. For PRP, we draw your blood, concentrate the healing platelets, and inject them back into the injured area. This is particularly effective for tennis elbow and mild to moderate arthritis.
Because insurance companies often classify these as "experimental," they are typically self-pay procedures. Costs vary depending on the specific treatment, but we offer transparent pricing upon request to help you budget for your care.
When Is Surgery the Right Choice?
Surgery becomes the right choice when conservative treatments fail to provide relief and your quality of life is suffering. If you can no longer sleep through the night due to hip pain or walk around the grocery store without leaning on the cart, it might be time to discuss surgical intervention.
When looking for an orthopedic surgeon Altamonte Springs Florida, ask about their experience with minimally invasive techniques. Arthroscopic surgery, for instance, uses tiny incisions and a camera to repair torn cartilage or ligaments. Recovery is fast, with many patients returning to desk work within a week.
For total joint replacements, advancements in technology have reduced hospital stays significantly. Many eligible patients now go home the same day. While full recovery from a knee replacement can take 3 to 6 months, most patients report a satisfaction rate of over 90% regarding pain relief.
How Do I Choose the Right Surgeon?
Choose a surgeon who is board-certified and listens to your specific goals, whether that's running a marathon or just walking the dog. You want a partner in your health, not just a technician.
Look for a provider with a strong local presence. An orthopedic surgeon Altamonte Springs Florida residents trust will have a track record in the community. Read reviews to see how they interact with patients. Do they rush appointments? Do they explain things clearly? At our practice, we prioritize education so you feel confident in your treatment plan.
How Can I Prevent Injuries in the Florida Heat?
Preventing injuries in Florida requires staying hydrated and wearing the right gear, especially given our intense heat. Dehydration increases the risk of muscle cramps and strains, so drink water before, during, and after activity.
We also see many slip-and-fall injuries on wet surfaces. The painted concrete often found in driveways and pool decks in neighborhoods like Sweetwater or Spring Lake becomes incredibly slippery after rain. Wear shoes with good traction, even if you're just grabbing the mail.
Get Back to Living Your Life
You don't have to accept chronic pain as a normal part of aging. Whether it’s a sore shoulder from tennis or a knee that clicks with every step, there are solutions available right here in your community.
If you're ready to explore your options, contact Central Florida Bone & Joint Institute today. Call us at (386) 775-2012 to schedule an evaluation. We are here to help you get back to the activities you love.