Coming to see us

What to bring

• Your insurance card and a photo ID
• A list of the medicines you take, including doses
• Any imaging of your shoulder — X-rays, MRI, or CT. The discs or images themselves, not only the report. If it was done elsewhere, ask that office for a copy before you come. A disc or a link is fine
• Operative notes, if you have had shoulder surgery before
• The name of your primary care doctor and of anyone who referred you

If you are coming for a second opinion, bring the actual images. That matters more than anything else on this list, because a report leaves out most of what a surgeon needs to see.

What the first visit usually involves

• A conversation about what your shoulder stops you doing, and how long it has been going on
• An examination of how the shoulder moves and where it is weak
• X-rays, usually taken in the office that day
• A plan — which may be therapy, an injection, more imaging, or surgery

Surgery is not the answer for every shoulder. It is normal to leave a first appointment with a plan that does not include an operation.

Where surgery happens

Not every operation needs a hospital. Dr. Routman operates at several local outpatient surgery centers as well as at HCA Florida JFK Hospital, where he is Division Chair of Orthopedic Surgery.

Where your own operation is done depends on the operation and on your health. It is one of the things settled before a date is set.

If an operation is planned, the surgical scheduler will call you. She will arrange the date and walk you through what happens before and after.

After your surgery

Your discharge instructions are on this site, so you can read them again at home. Both can be printed.

• After arthroscopic shoulder surgery
• After shoulder replacement

Insurance

Most insurance plans are accepted. Call the office to check yours before your appointment.