Frequently Asked Questions
To help you prepare for your visit to our practice, we have the following frequently asked questions below. If you have additional questions or concerns, please call us at (314) 569-0612.
How soon are appointments available?
For urgent orthopedic problems, we offer same-day appointments. For less urgent problems, we will work to accommodate your needs as best we can, typically within a few days.
How do I make an appointment?
Please call our appointment line at (314) 569-0616, or you can request an appointment online. If you are a new patient, we encourage you to complete our downloadable patient forms and bring them with you to your first visit.
What should I bring to my first office visit?
- Insurance card – If you are not the primary policyholder, please have the primary policyholder’s birth date, social security number, and employer’s address.
- Valid driver’s license or picture ID
- Primary care physician referral if required by your medical plan
- List of all current medications, including vitamins and over-the-counter drugs
- List of your allergies
- List of recent major tests or treatments, such as stress test, cardiac catheterization, surgeries
- X-ray, CT scan, and/or MRI films with reports, if available, for the problem for which you are being seen by our physician. Some CD records are not compatible with all computers, so our physicians do prefer that you bring actual films.
- Cash, check, or major credit card for your co-payment, which is collected at your visit
How long will my initial visit take?
Please arrive 15 to 20 minutes prior to your appointment to complete your paperwork and register. Completing the downloadable patient forms in advance will shorten this process.
The length of your visit depends on the complexity of your case as well as the complexity of others that are being seen that day. Expect to spend one to three hours in the office at your initial visit.
How do I get to your office?
Our main office is located in St. Louis, in addition to several outreach clinics. For a full list of our locations or for driving directions, please visit our locations page.
What happens if I have a problem and your office is closed?
If you have an orthopedic problem when our office is closed, you can contact our exchange service at (314) 569-0612. The service will then contact one of our physicians, who will determine how to help you. Please call 911 for true medical emergencies.
Do I have to have X-rays taken before I come to the office?
If necessary, your X-rays can be taken at our office However, a few medical plans may require that you have X-rays taken at a specific location. If you are unsure whether your medical plan covers X-rays at our office, it is best to check your plan benefits before your office visit.
What happens if I need surgery?
If surgery is recommended for you, your doctor will explain your options. Our employees will assist you in scheduling and precertifying your surgery and will ensure that your questions and concerns are answered.
Where do your doctors perform surgery?
The majority of outpatient surgeries are performed at the Des Peres Square Surgery Center, which is located next door to our St. Louis office. For surgeries that require hospital stays, our surgeons are on staff at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, St. Luke’s Chesterfield & Des Peres Hospital, SSM Health DePaul, St. Clare, St. Mary's Hospital, and Mercy Hospital South. Please click here to view the full listing.
Are your orthopedic surgeons board-certified?
Yes, each of our surgeons is board-certified or board-eligible in his respective area(s) of expertise.
What if I need copies of my medical records?
If you need copies of your medical records, please call our main number at (314) 569-0612 and follow the queues to our Medical Records department. In accordance with state and federal law, we must have you sign a release and pay a nominal fee. X-rays are also part of your medical record, and there is a nominal fee for copies requested.
What if I need a disability form completed?
If you need disability forms to be completed on your behalf, we are happy to assist you. We charge a nominal fee for this service, and you must sign a release form.
I was hurt at work—will your orthopedic specialists see me?
Our orthopedic specialists treat many patients with work-related orthopedic problems. For people who are injured at work in Missouri, state law requires you to first notify your employer. Your employer, or its representative, will direct your treatment. For people injured on the job in Illinois, state law allows you to choose your initial place of treatment.
With which medical plans do your orthopedic doctors participate?
Our orthopedic doctors are preferred providers for Medicare and for most major medical plans in the St. Louis area. Some medical plans require a referral from your primary care physician in order to see a specialist. If you are with a medical plan that requires a referral, it is your responsibility to obtain the referral before your office visit.
