Appointments & Consultations

Scheduling is simple, but checking your insurance requirements ahead of time can save you time and hassle. Some insurance plans allow you to book directly, while others may require a referral or pre-authorization from your primary care physician.

We also collaborate with insurance providers following emergency room consultations and are affiliated with local hospitals, including:

• Tampa General Health Brooksville
• Tampa General Health Spring Hill
• Bayonet Point Regional Medical Center
• St. Joseph’s North
• Trinity Medical Center
• Oak Hill Hospital

Preparing for Your Appointment

To help us provide the best care, please bring:

• Medication list (include names and dosages)
• Any brace you’ve been using
• Comfortable clothing (shorts for leg/knee issues, tank tops for shoulder concerns, etc.)
• Recent imaging (X-rays, MRIs, CTs, or bone scans, plus radiology reports)

Running late? We’ll do our best to accommodate you. We appreciate your understanding if other patients’ needs create occasional delays.

After-Hours Concerns

Your health is our priority, even outside of regular office hours. If you have urgent questions or are unsure what to do about an acute problem, please call any of our office locations. Our answering service will connect you with the on-call Advanced Practitioner. If temporarily unavailable, they will return your call as quickly as possible.

If you have unexpected, severe, or uncontrolled pain, you should follow up with us in the office. If you cannot wait until office hours, consider visiting the emergency room.

When to Visit the Emergency Room

Certain situations require immediate medical attention. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER if you have:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Sudden dizziness, confusion, or speech issues
• Severe abdominal pain
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Uncontrollable bleeding
• Signs of stroke or heart attack

Typical orthopedic emergencies include:

• Open fractures (bone piercing the skin)
• Hip fractures or other injuries preventing movement
• Large joint dislocations (shoulder, knee, hip, etc.)
• Signs of infection at a surgical site
• Severe pain or swelling after trauma

When in doubt, it’s always safer to get checked out. We’ll coordinate your follow-up care after any emergency visit.

Medication Refills

Need a refill? Call us during business hours. We cannot process prescription requests after hours. Please note that some medications, such as Percocet®, require in-person handling and cannot be called in.

If you're experiencing uncontrolled pain, consider visiting the emergency room.

Medication Problems & Precautions

It’s important to understand what medications you’re taking and why. At The Center for Bone & Joint Disease, we commonly prescribe two types of medications: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and stronger pain medications when needed. These medications can help you manage pain and inflammation, but they must be taken safely.

If you’re ever unsure about your medications, we’re here to help. You can also find helpful information at trusted sites like FDA.gov, Drugs.com, RxList, and SafeMedication.com.

Using NSAIDs Safely

NSAIDs help reduce inflammation and are often used for arthritis, joint pain, and other orthopedic conditions. Common examples include ibuprofen and naproxen.

Here are a few safety tips:

• Don’t take more than one NSAID at the same time, even if prescribed by different doctors.
• Always take NSAIDs with food to avoid upsetting your stomach.
• Stop using them if you develop stomach pain, nausea, or other digestive issues.

NSAIDs are not right for everyone. We may avoid them if you:

• Have a history of stomach ulcers, GI bleeding, or kidney problems
• Take blood thinners
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant

In these cases, we’ll discuss safer options that fit your medical history.

Stronger Pain Medications

Sometimes, we may prescribe medications like hydrocodone, oxycodone, or propoxyphene, which are often combined with acetaminophen (the same active ingredient in Tylenol®). Common brand names include Ultracet®, DarvocetN100®, Vicodin®, and Lorcet®.

If you're taking medications with acetaminophen, please keep the following in mind:

• Do not exceed 4,000 mg of acetaminophen per day.
• The maximum single dose is 1,000 mg.
• Many over-the-counter medications also contain acetaminophen, so be careful not to consume too much

These medications can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. To stay safe:

• Don’t drive, operate machinery, or work with chemicals or electricity while taking them.
• Avoid alcohol while using these medications.
• Don’t take them before making important decisions, like major financial or legal commitments.

Always follow your prescribed dosage instructions carefully, and contact us right away if you have questions or feel unsure about anything you're taking.