Joint replacement is a highly successful operation for relieving symptoms in people suffering from shoulder, hip or knee osteoarthritis. Physical therapy before and after major joint replacement surgery improves postoperative outcomes and reduces complications. Researchers in Ohio reviewed 4,733 Medicare cases involving total hip or knee replacements. The study’s authors estimated a 29% reduction […]
Physical therapists (PTs) are highly educated, licensed healthcare professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility, sometimes without surgery or the need for prescription medications. At DOC, physical therapists teach patient guests how to prevent or manage their condition to achieve long-term health benefits. PTs work with individuals to prevent […]
The profession of athletic trainer (AT) is sometimes confused with a personal trainer, coach or gym teacher. Some of my work overlaps with these other professions, but primarily I am a health professional who collaborates with a team of physicians to provide preventive, emergency, assessment, and rehabilitative care of injuries and medical conditions for student […]
TSATA, the Voice of Athletic Trainers in Texas TSATA promotes, enhances and advances the athletic training profession. TSATA is the voice of athletic trainers in Texas and an affiliate of The National Athletic Trainers’ Association, NATA. Founded in 1950, NATA has grown to more than 43,000 members worldwide. Their mission is to “represent, […]
Between doctor appointments, carpools, activities, work, and errands, it’s tough for busy moms to get everything done in a day. Life can be chaotic. Direct Orthopedic Care, DOC, wants to make your life less hectic by creating easy access to orthopedic help to save you precious time and money, too. For many families […]
Direct Orthopedic Care (DOC) is hosting the inaugural Run for the Flag Veterans Day Race to honor wounded veterans and their families. Dr. Merritt Pember, an orthopedic surgeon at DOC and a U.S. Army major, physician and veteran, served during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Baghdad. Dr. Pember, along with a team of DOC members, Emmis […]
Injuries are usually classified as acute or chronic. Acute injuries are severe, sudden and often caused by high-intensity accidents, resulting in fractures and other musculoskeletal injuries. There are two types of chronic injuries: injuries caused by low-intensity forces of long duration as in tendonitis and bursitis, and recurring acute injuries such as a chronic […]
A physician assistant, PA, is a nationally certified and state-licensed medical professional. PAs work in all areas of medicine, including primary care, family medicine, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and orthopedics. PAs practice medicine on the DOC orthopedic healthcare teams. PAs at DOC help care for your orthopedic needs, including: Take or review a patient […]
Nurses, radiologic technologists, respiratory therapists, and many other healthcare workers work PRN. The initials stand for pro re nata, a Latin phrase that translates to as needed or as the situation arises. A PRN employee works when called, to fill in for an absent employee or to cover a special situation. PRN work gives employees […]
More than one in two adult Americans, 126.6 million, has a musculoskeletal condition. DOC treats musculoskeletal conditions. Musculoskeletal disorders annual treatment, care and lost wages in the U.S. are estimated to cost $213 billion annually. DOC provides immediate care without the cost of the ER or wasted time waiting for a referral. One […]
The Greater Austin Business Awards is a competition organized by the Austin Chamber of Commerce to honor excellence in business in the Greater Austin region. The competition recognizes businesses and organizations for achievements, community contributions, and milestones. A panel of independent judges selected the company finalists in the following categories: Community Relations, Customer Service, […]
Plano Sports Authority, PSA, and Direct Orthopedic Care, DOC, are launching Coaches that Care, a program to recognize the care and dedication to excellence, sportsmanship and community service displayed by PSA volunteer coaches every day. Nominate your caring coach for a chance to win a $250 gift card. A gift card will be awarded every […]
A consumer has a sprained ankle and goes to the closest clinic to their residence. Innocently the consumer hobbles into a freestanding ER, not realizing that it is absolutely not the same as an urgent care clinic or the same as Direct Orthopedic Care, DOC.
Recovering from a musculoskeletal injury or condition with or without surgery is a long and complex process. Your orthopedic surgeon or PA will schedule one or more follow-up appointments after the first diagnosis and treatment of your injury or condition.
Many insurance plans provide more coverage for hospitals, clinics, and doctors that are in the insurance plan’s network. Your insurance plan may cover much less or nothing at all for all other hospitals, clinics, and doctors who are out-of-network. Therefore, when choosing where to go to get medical care, you need to check the list of in-network providers.
