[calmwaters30]

Hi there. Moving from MI to FL. I need some recommendation to find the following doctors pretty quickly please.
1. Knee doctor- just had 2nd TKR done 3 months ago and having problems.
2. Spine doctor- have a spinal fusion and need to establish a doctor down here.
3. Pain doctor

Thanks for your thoughts.
Stefanie

[Sensei]

knee...Radnothy Orthopaedics – Orthopedic Excellence in Lake ...radnothyortho.com
Aug 28, 2019 — Dr Jon H. Radnothy is one of Central Florida's most achieved orthopedic surgeons. After over 25 years of providing orthopedic care of the ...
‎Our Office · ‎Jon H. Radnothy, DO · ‎Contact Us · ‎Our Staff
Back:
Christopher Joseph Baker, MD | Neurosurgery | Winter Park ...AdventHealth | A Leader in Whole-Person Health Care › find-doctor › doctor › christo...
Christopher Baker is a board certified and Gamma Knife-certified neurosurgeon. As a co-founder of Orlando Neurosurgery and the Medical Director of the Florida Hospital Orlando Spine Center, Dr. Baker helps patients with brain tumors, neurovascular disease, and spinal and movement disorders.
Either or both of these Doctors can advise a pain management specialist

[Dan9871]

Originally Posted by calmwaters30

3. Pain doctor

Harsha Rajashekar

Harsha Rajashekar - The Villages Health

He did wonders for my wife's back

[calmwaters30]

Thank you so much for the recommendation.

[calmwaters30]

Thank you so much for the information.

[villagetinker]

OP, you will also need to check on your insurance and coverage. In the villages this is a complex subject, try a search on this site as it has been discussed many times. Basically The Villages Health System = ADVANTAGE plans ONLY, other doctors = Medicare and Supplemental, and NOT Advantage plans. You need to do some research, especially if you will need the doctors soon after arrival.

[jwonycr]

Originally Posted by calmwaters30

Hi there. Moving from MI to FL. I need some recommendation to find the following doctors pretty quickly please.
1. Knee doctor- just had 2nd TKR done 3 months ago and having problems.
2. Spine doctor- have a spinal fusion and need to establish a doctor down here.
3. Pain doctor

Thanks for your thoughts.
Stefanie

Knee doctor: The Orthopaedic Institute (The Orthopaedic Institute - Improving Lives Everyday For Over 30 Years) is a large practice with offices in Summerfield, Ocala, Gainesville, and Alachua. In addition to ortho surgeons for knees and hips, they have in house physical therapy supervised by a DPT.

Spine doctor: I second the recommendation of Dr Christopher Baker.

[bjd0105]

I use healthcare.com to find doctors.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by calmwaters30

Hi there. Moving from MI to FL. I need some recommendation to find the following doctors pretty quickly please.
1. Knee doctor- just had 2nd TKR done 3 months ago and having problems.
2. Spine doctor- have a spinal fusion and need to establish a doctor down here.
3. Pain doctor

Thanks for your thoughts.
Stefanie

My two cents worth-for free.
Choosing a doctor is obviously difficult. One thing you may not be aware of people posting on this site under pseudo-names may well have a vested interest. As far as choosing a doctor a large part is personality; sometimes called bedside manner.
Are they the most qualified? The best educated? etc.

Private practice. You are obviously dealing with a business. They need to pay the bills,
rent, college loans, family income, equipment etc. Here doctors see mostly people on medicare. Everywhere today it is 80% government or insurance, what will be paid is fixed-they tell the doctor what they will pay. An issue. You have some problem.
What could be done in one visit becomes two because that is the only way insurance or medicare or ???? will pay.

My suggestion-you seem to have several issues. Old advice was to ask a nurse, they know who is good. Not sure why but here their lips are sealed, they will not tell you.
I would ask your doctors that you presently deal with. How much effort they will do, I don't know but as a least they have directories as to who is good in a given area.
Possibly they know doctors that are here by reputation, or having met along the way or?

Beware-right now we have a population explosion from people running from cold weather as well as the fact that Florida population is exploding. You will likely find a four week wait time as a new patient. Hopefully you are beginning the process in advance of relocating. Pain meds. I think the current law is a doctor can only prescribe one months worth. I'm not sure if that is so, is national or is Florida.

[Rsenholzi]

My advice stay away from National Pain Management. They only gave me 2 injections when you are supposed to have 3, ( thank God) , told me they checked with my insurance to see if I was covered and I was not! My insurance paid 80% for an out of network place ( his office - he was covered fully) and they then sent me a bill for $12,000 more than that! To top all that, the shots wore off in 3 months.
I drive to Ocala to Simed Pain management - Dr. Elshire Vance. He is wonderful . Gave me the 3 shots the way the surgeon wanted him to and have not had any pain since and it’s been 2 years. Recommend him totally

[DonnaNi4os]

Michael Messieh, MD. Orthopedic surgeon 352-243-6899. Good luck and welcome to The Villages!

[cassjax2]

1. Dr Duke, Ocala is the best for knee and hip.
2. Dr James Paraiso, Ocala for back - even my doctor goes to him.
3. I don’t know.....
Good luck!

[Carla B]

Do not be surprised if an orthopedic surgeon will decline to accept you as a patient. Some will only replace, not fix, other doctor's work.

I have no first-hand experience but have a friend who goes here and thinks highly of it: UF Health Comprehensive Spine Center in Gainesville (352) 265-7763. It is an interdisciplinary spinal pain clinic and includes surgeons.

UF Florida also has an orthopedic office near The Villages in Summerfield. Here is the phone number I have: 352-259-5658. After an injury that involved surgery elsewhere I was told UF would see me, whereas, a local orthopedic surgeon declined because "Dr. _______ only does replacements."

[FromNY]

First check with your insurance provider for a list of MDs within a 60 or 80 mile radius.
Next ask your current doctors if they know any of the doctors on the list.
3rd. Call the offices of possible doctors in your plan. See if they will take you and how long a wait for first appointment. 8 to 12 weeks not uncommon.
4th. Be prepared to travel for excellent medical care..
Shands an hour away.. same for Tampa or Orlando. Mayo Clinic 3 hours.
Bring down with you all your medical records, x-rays, scans surgical reports, letters of recommendations of care from current doctors. The easier you make it for new doctor to understand your care the better. Do not count on new office obtaining records.
If I was you I would complete that knee issue where you are now. ( nurse advice).
The Villages is wonderful. Health care not so great.
Best of luck.

[bonnieww60]

I have gone to Dr. Cook since moving to the villages. Had many references from people that had used him. I had two previous knee replacements and a hip replacement. Currently going for my shoulder. I would highly recommend.