FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon can I get in to see one of the orthopedic physicians at Tesson Heights Orthopaedics?
Tesson Heights Orthopaedics has numerous physicians' and nurse practitioners' on staff to accommodate all your orthopedic needs in a timely manner. Most patients are seen within a 48 hour time frame. Please call our office at 555-555-5555 to make an appointment.
What do I need to bring to my first appointment?
New patients need to arrive 15-20 minutes prior to the scheduled appointment.
Please bring the following items to your appointment:
- Insurance card
- referral from other physician if your insurance requires it
- all X-rays or MRIs related to your condition
- a list of medications you take.
What do the physicians at Tesson Heights Orthopaedics treat?
With five board certified orthopedic surgeons as well as a board certified pain management physiatrist on staff, we offer a variety of orthopedic care including:
- General orthopedics
- orthopedic & arthroscopic surgery
- orthopedic trauma
- sports injuries
- total joint replacement
- lumbar & cervical spine surgery
- physical medicine
- rehabilitation
- pain management
- injections.
What are your office hours?
Tesson Heights Orthopaedics sees patients by appointment only:
Hours of Operation
Monday -Friday
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dr. Benz is now offering evening appointments on Tuesday only. His hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
How long does it take to refill a prescription?
If you have a medication that needs to be refilled, please call your pharmacy. Allow 24-48 hours for refills to be completed. Prescriptions can only be refilled during regular office hours.
Where do the physicians perform surgery?
Our orthopedic surgeons are on staff at various area hospitals and surgery centers throughout the St. Louis area. Please check our About Us page to see a list of each doctor’s individual surgery locations. Includes:
- St. Anthony’s Medical Center
- Manchester Surgery
- Sunset Hills Surgery Center
- St. Louis Spine & Orthopaedic Surgery Center
What is a Physiatrist?
Physiatrists, or rehabilitation physicians, are nerve, muscle and bone experts who treat injuries or illnesses that affect how you move. Rehabilitation physicians are medical doctors who have completed training in the medical specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). The job of a rehabilitation physician is to treat any disability resulting from disease or injury, from sore shoulders to spinal cord injuries. The focus is on the development of a comprehensive program for putting the pieces of a person's life back together after injury or disease – without surgery. Rehabilitation physicians take the time needed to accurately pinpoint the source of an ailment. They design a treatment plan that can be carried out by the patients themselves or with the help of the rehabilitation physician’s medical team. This medical team might include other physicians and health professionals such as neurologists, orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists. By providing an appropriate treatment plan, rehabilitation physicians help patients stay as active as possible at any age. Their broad medical expertise allows them to treat disabling conditions throughout a person’s lifetime.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis literally means "inflammation of a joint." Arthritis is a disease of the joint. A joint is where the ends of two or more bones meet.
In some forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, the inflammation arises because the smooth covering (articular cartilage) on the ends of bones become damaged or worn. Osteoarthritis is usually found in one, usually weight bearing, joint.
In other forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, the joint lining becomes inflamed as part of a disease process that affects the entire body.