Andrew Turtel, MD

First find the Orthopedic Surgeon that best fits your needs, review their experience, and determine that the location is convenient for you. Then, from that page, upload your insurance information. The Surgeon’s office will contact you to verify whether your plan is accepted.

Many plans allow for access to out of network providers for the same out of pocket cost as in network providers.

Most Orthopedic Surgeons sub-specialize, focusing on a specific treatment area such as Hand and Wrist, Spine, or Joint surgery such as Knee and Hip.

Orthopedic Surgeons may treat your orthopedic ailment using non-invasive treatments ranging from minimally invasive computer-assisted treatments to the harvesting and growth of your own cells for cartilage repair.

ACL Reconstruction Surgery

Knee Replacement Surgery

Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Hip Replacement Surgery

Knee Arthroscopy

Your Orthopedic Surgeon may request a medical evaluation by your Primary Care Physician before performing your surgery. A medical clearance is essentially authorization from an evaluating doctor that a patient is cleared, or deemed healthy enough, for a proposed surgery.

A preoperative physical examination is essentially the same thing as getting 'medical clearance. It is performed at the request of the orthopedic surgeon to ensure that a patient is healthy enough to safely undergo anesthesia and surgery. This evaluation includes a physical examination, cardiac evaluation, lung function assessment, and appropriate laboratory tests.

Your orthopedic surgeon may require routine laboratory tests before your procedure to identify potential problems that might complicate surgery if not detected and treated in advance. A blood test will show if you have a blood-clotting problem and may be at risk of too much bleeding during surgery.  Urinalysis may be used to detect urinary tract infections, renal diseases and poorly controlled diabetes.

A patient's medical history, physical exam and labs are valid for 30 days. EKG's that are normal are valid for 90 days. These parameters may vary if the patient has comorbidities.

Joint fusion surgery (also called “arthrodesis”) may be indicated for patients with severe arthritis pain. It fuses, or “welds,” together the two bones that make up the aching joint. It causes the bones to become one solid bone, and it can lessen pain. After this type of surgery, there is some loss of range of motion and the joint may feel stiff. This procedure can also relieve symptoms of back problems like degenerative disk disease and scoliosis.

Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) now accounts for more than half of all spine surgeries. The surgeon inserts a tubular retractor through a small incision to access and treat the affected area of the spine. Compared to open surgery, there is less harm to nearby tissue and muscles, and recovery is faster and less painful.

Most Orthopedic surgeries do not require an overnight stay. If your health, age and surgical procedure do not require a hospital stay after surgery, an accredited ambulatory surgery center may offer several advantages, including convenience, reduced cost and reduced potential for developing infection.

If nonsurgical treatments prove ineffective in relieving pain from a herniated disc, lumbar decompression surgery may be indicated. Microdiscectomy- a type of lumbar decompression surgery - is used to treat nerve compression from a herniated disc. During a minimally-invasive Microdiscectomy procedure, the herniated portion of the disc under the nerve root is removed. By giving the nerve root more space, pressure is relieved and the nerve root can begin to heal. It is very rare that the entire disc is removed.

Recovering from surgery is a simple matter of following your discharge instructions: keep your follow up appointments, monitor the wound for infection, maintain proper hygiene, control pain so that you can be mobile and sleep well. Try to walk as much as possible.

The meniscus has little or no blood supply, so tears are difficult to heal. The decision about surgery for a torn meniscus depends on where it is located, how big it is, and the pattern of the tear. Surgery may repair the meniscus, or remove it, if the tear cannot be fixed. Some tears heal on their own with rest, compression garments and elevating the leg.

Both are minimally invasive surgery techniques which have similar benefits; less blood loss, reduced pain, smaller scars, shorter stay in the hospital and faster recovery times. Laparoscopic surgery uses several small incisions, a camera, 2D images and tools that offer a limited range of motion. Robotic surgery uses small incisions, a camera, high definition 3D images, 360 degree range of motion and more precision.

Most rotator cuff injuries will heal on their own with a good program of stretching, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication and rest. A complete tear or detachment will require surgery. Surgery is recommended if you have persistent pain or weakness in your shoulder that does not improve with nonsurgical treatment.

Much depends on the severity of your injury. First and second degree tears may be treated with regenerative medicine and physical therapy. A third degree injury is a complete tear, resulting in instability of the knee, and generally requires surgery. Surgery is recommended for people with recurring ACL injuries and high level athletes who plan to return to their sport of choice.

Knee replacement surgery takes anywhere from 1 to 3 hours. Depending on your age and health you may be discharged the same day, or be admitted for up to three days in the hospital. When you leave the hospital, you should be able to move around with a walker or crutches. You may need someone to help you at home until you can manage on your own. You will be given rehab exercises to do to strengthen the joint and minimize scar tissue. The better you do your rehab exercises, the quicker you will get back to normal activity.

The right preparation can make your recovery speedy and smooth. Get in shape; lose excess weight and start on a program of strength building and stretching. Avoid blood thinners and if you smoke, quit at least 8 weeks prior to your procedure. Make adjustments in your home so that, once you return, necessities like the phone, computer, TV are easily reached. Remove all trip hazards, like loose rugs and consider adjusting the height of your bed.

PreferredMD’s online service uses a purple video icon on the profiles of Orthopedic Surgeons who offer online video visits. You can filter your search results to show only Orthopedic Surgeons who offer video consultations. 

Most insurers provide coverage for video visits at the same rate as in-person visits. You can search on PreferredMD specifically for Orthopedic Surgeons who accept your insurance for video visits. Select your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page to verify. If that information is not available, we recommend you check with your insurance carrier directly to confirm your coverage and out of pocket costs for video visits. 

PreferredMD’s online service allows you to search specifically for an Orthopedic Surgeon who has appointments available before 10:00 am, or after 5:00 pm. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page. 

PreferredMD’s online service allows you to see real-time availability for Orthopedic Surgeons that offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page. 

Your Primary Care Physician is the Doctor who manages your medical care. He/she will provide the appropriate information.

When conservative treatments have failed to relieve persistent and disabling back pain, surgery may be indicated. Back surgery can relieve pain or numbness of the arms and/or legs caused by compressed nerves. Nerves may be compressed because of bulging or ruptured disks, or bone spurs on the hinge joints of the spinal column.

Now that you’re here, you can use PreferredMD’s free online service to find Orthopedic Consultations and book appointments instantly. You can easily search for an Orthopedic Consultation in your desired location and specify your insurance plan. Based on that information, you’ll see a list of Doctors who meet your search criteria, accept your insurance, and their available appointment slots. 

PreferredMD’s online service allows you to filter your results for Orthopedic surgeons by gender. That way, you’ll only see Doctors who match your preferences.

The purpose of medical clearance is to assess your personal risk related to undergoing a surgical procedure. If you have comorbidities your orthopedic surgeon may want another doctor familiar with your medical history to offer perspective on whether the procedure is safe for you and ways to reduce risk.

PreferredMD’s online service allows you to filter for Orthopedic surgeons with availability after 5 p.m. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page. 

Arthroscopy is a procedure for diagnosing and treating joint problems. The Surgeon uses a narrow tube attached to a fiber-optic video camera through a small incision. The view inside your joint is transmitted to a high-definition video monitor which allows the surgeon to determine whether open surgery is indicated, or if he/she is able repair the joint arthroscopically. Arthroscopic surgery usually results in less joint pain and stiffness than open surgery.

PreferredMD patients can often get same day appointments; on average within 24 hours. You can search for real-time availability of Orthopedic Consultations in your area, with Doctors who accept your insurance and make an appointment online. 

You can use PreferredMD’s online service to find Orthopedic surgeons who are highly rated by real patients. Every time a patient completes an appointment booked on PreferredMD, they are invited to review their experience. All ratings are based on verified reviews submitted by real patients. Each review must comply with PreferredMD’s guidelines.