FAQ

What information should I bring to my initial orthopedic appointment?
  • Insurance Card
  • Referral
  • Driver’s license or other form of photo identification
  • Any prior X-rays, MRI’s, CAT Scans or other studies performed. Please bring the actual films
  • Your co-pay
  • Claim number for workers’ compensation injuries and motor vehicle accidents
  • Adjuster’s name and telephone number
  • All new patient forms are available on this website, please download them, fill them out and bring the completed forms with you to your initials
What surgical procedures does the Ross Center for Orthopedics specialize in?

Ross Center for Orthopedics specializes in arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgery with minimally invasive techniques for rotator cuff injuries, labral tears, and meniscal and ligamentous injuries. Both doctors also perform carpal tunnel decompression, ulnar nerve surgery, and the surgical treatment of chronic elbow tendonitis. In addition, they perform fracture surgery. They also perform ankle arthroscopy and reconstruction procedures as well as the treatment of foot deformities and certain foot conditions such as; plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma and Achilles tendon surgery.

Ross Center for Orthopedics also performs injections including cortisone and viscoelastic supplementation.

What is pre-certification?

Pre-certification is authorization from your insurance company that we obtain for treatment recommended by your provider, such as diagnostic studies.

How do I find out if my surgery has been approved?

Our office will contact you once approval is received by your insurance company. For more information, please call 609-267-2333 ext. 104.

When can I get my disability forms completed?

Disability forms are filled out on Wednesdays. Please contact 609-267-2333 ext. 105 for further information.

How do I know if my injections/brace or other durable medical equipment has been approved by my insurance company?

Our office will usually contact you with the approval information. For more information, please call 609-267-2333 ext. 105.

What is a Physician Assistant?

A physician assistant is a medical provider who can evaluate a patient and devise a treatment plan. They can prescribe medication, treat fractures, apply casts or splints and administer injections. They work under the supervision of a collaborating physician. They can assist surgery.

What should I do if I am injured at work?

Seek emergency care if needed. Immediately report your injury to your employer. Contact us with the name of the insurance company, claim number and nurse case manager or adjustor’s contact information.

What should I do if I am injured in a motor vehicle accident?

Seek emergency care if needed. Immediately report the accident to your motor vehicle insurance carrier. Contact us with the name of insurance company, claim number and adjuster’s contact information.

What hospitals or surgery centers is Ross Center for Orthopedics affiliated with?

The providers of Ross Center for Orthopedics are staff members of the following facilities:

  • Virtua Health System, all divisions, including Memorial Ambulatory Care Center
  • Fellowship Surgical Center
  • Kennedy Health Systems, all divisions
  • Jefferson Health System
Are Your Physicians Board Certified?

Doctor Ross and Doctor Kaplin have been Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine.

What should I do if I can't reach someone in the office during business hours?

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please hang up and call 911 for emergency assistance.

If you need to urgently speak to the doctor on-call after hours call: (609) 267-2333

If your call is of a non-emergent matter, please leave a voicemail message and someone from our office will contact you by the end of the business day. Please do not leave multiple voicemail messages.

What should I do if I need a refill on my prescription?

Please have your pharmacy fax a refill request form to: 609-267-2533.

Who should I call if I have questions about my prescriptions/medication?

If you have questions regarding your prescription or medication, please call 609-267-2333 ext. 105 or 106.

Will Ross Center for Orthopedics see me for a second opinion?

Ross Center for Orthopedics will be happy to see you for a second opinion. Please contact our office at 609-267-2333 to schedule an appointment.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment Frequently Asked Questions:

What is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) Therapy?

PRP therapy involves taking the patient’s own blood and placing it in a machine called a centrifuge which separates the blood into several components, one of which is called platelet-rich plasma. Platelets contain many growth factors which have been shown to be very important with regard to healing. The process of centrifuging concentrates these platelets so that they are present in much higher numbers than what would typically be found in the bloodstream. That platelet-rich plasma is then injected at the site of the injury to induce and potentially accelerate the body’s natural healing process.

Is PRP New?

The technology has been used for years in surgical applications and wound care. The use of PRP for musculoskeletal injuries is fairly new and evolving into a promising treatment for both acute and chronic injuries. There are a number of medical studies supporting the use of PRP for tendon and ligament injuries.

Do I have to worry about the use of blood products?

The patient’s own blood is used for the procedure so there are no transfusion risks or blood borne infection from a donor.

How long does it take?

Generally a PRP injection requires an initial visit to see if the injury would benefit from such treatment, then a follow-up visit for the treatment itself is scheduled. The actual injection process takes about 30-45 minutes and a majority of that time involves drawing and processing the patient’s blood for the injection.

What conditions can be treated with PRP?

Many research studies have been performed, and many more are ongoing, which look at the effectiveness of PRP treatment. The most promising results to date have been with soft tissue injuries, including tendonitis, tendon tears, ligament sprains or tears, loose ligaments, and muscle tears. PRP has also been effective in treating cartilage degeneration such as arthritis. In some cases it can be used in conjunction with a surgical procedure.

  • Shoulder: Rotator cuff tendinitis or tear, rotator cuff impingement syndrome or bursitis, bicipital tendinitis, labrum tear, arthritis
  • Elbow/wrist/hand: Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis, trigger finger, arthritis, other wrist and finger tendinitis
  • Knee: Patellar tendinitis, partially torn or strained major ligaments of knee (ACL/LCL/MCL), meniscus tears, chondromalacia, arthritis
  • Ankle: Achilles tendinitis, peroneal tendinitis, ankle sprain, instability, other foot or ankle tendinitis
How do I determine if I’m a good candidate?

Here are some general guidelines:

  1. Pain duration of 3-6 months or longer
  2. Persistent pain despite physical therapy, activity modification, NSAIDs
  3. Wishes to pursue alternative to surgical treatment.
How long will the recovery take?

Post procedure pain and activity progression varies among patients. Regular range of motion at the site of injection is started immediately and patients typically progress to regular activities and light aerobic activity within the first few days to 2 weeks. Rehabilitation is done under the supervision of physical therapy and specific home exercises are tailored for patient progress.

It is common for the patient to feel increased pain immediately following the injection which resolves typically in one to two weeks.

Is PRP Painful?

Patients typically tolerate the procedure well, although post-injection soreness is expected given the PRP-induced inflammatory response, in some cases.

How many treatments do you need?

One to three treatments depending on the degree of injury and how long the injury has been there. These are typically done about 4-6 weeks apart in order to achieve optimal results.

Are there any exclusion criteria that inhibit someone from getting PRP?

Severe anemia, low platelet count, abnormal platelet function, active systemic infection or active cancers are all contra-indications.

How long does it take to work?

Most patients notice some element of improvement by 2 to 6 weeks after the treatment.

Does insurance cover PRP?

No, PRP isn’t covered by insurance or Medicare/Medicaid and is considered an out-of-pocket expense.