Dr. Cynthia Harding, MD is an Orthopedic Surgeon dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care for older adults at her clinic in Ocala, FL. As a registered member of The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is a trusted partner in their health journeys. General Orthopedic Surgeons possess specialized expertise in diagnosing and treating a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions common in seniors, such as arthritis, fractures, and spinal issues, working collaboratively with your primary care physician and other specialists to provide comprehensive and personalized care. She is committed to serving Older adults (65+) and active seniors, and is currently welcoming new patients. Please call (352) 732-3110 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Cynthia Harding, MD is an orthopedic hand surgeon in Ocala, FL, with over 40 years of experience in the medical field. She earned her medical degree from the University of Arizona in 1984, completing an internship at the University of Arizona-College of Medicine and University Medical Center. Following this, she undertook residency training in Orthopedic Surgeries at the University of Florida, specializing in the comprehensive medical care of Older adults (65+) and active seniors. Dr. Harding is Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. She is affiliated with UF Health the Villages Hospital and is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. With this extensive experience and dedication, she brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families. Dr. Harding provides consultations primarily in English. She is part of Southeastern Integrated Medical (SIMED), a team committed to providing quality care with a patient-centered approach, focusing on respect, fairness, trust, and excellence.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Cynthia Harding is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Cynthia Harding is a compassionate partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive orthopedic care with a focus on personalized treatment plans. She expertly diagnoses and manages a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, collaborating seamlessly with primary care physicians and specialists to ensure holistic, patient-centered care. Dr. Harding prioritizes understanding each patient's unique needs and goals, working collaboratively with families to create a supportive and effective strategy for maintaining comfort and independence.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Cynthia Harding can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
AvMed
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
Cigna
Coventry Health Care
Golden Rule
HealthSmart
Humana
Medico
Mutual of Omaha
POMCO Group
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Ambetter
- Anthem
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- Emblem Health
- EmblemHealth
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care)
- GEHA
- Government Employees Health Association (GEHA)
- Health Net
- HealthyBlue 2.0
- Medicaid
- Midwest Health Plan
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- Superior Health Plan
- Tricare
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Cynthia Harding provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Complications of Joint Prosthesis: While rare, complications can follow joint replacement, including pain, instability, or infection; your healthcare team is prepared to address these issues promptly, optimizing your recovery and helping you enjoy a better quality of life.
- Non-Unions and Malunions of Fractures: A non-union or malunion occurs when a fracture doesn't heal properly, potentially causing persistent pain and hindering your activities; modern orthopedic treatments, including surgery and rehabilitation, aim to correct this and improve your quality of life.
- Sprains and Strains (incl. Muscle Tear): Sprains and strains can be painful, but with the right care, such as physical therapy and pain management, seniors can often recover completely and improve their overall quality of life, enabling them to remain active.
- Lateral and Medial Epicondylitis (Tennis and Golf Elbow): If you have persistent pain on the inside or outside of your elbow from overuse, it might be tennis or golfer's elbow. Fortunately, many effective non-surgical treatments are available, offering seniors relief and helping to maintain their quality of life.
- Spinal Stenosis: With spinal stenosis, the natural cushioning and spacing within your spine reduces, potentially compressing nerves and causing symptoms like back pain and leg weakness; however, various treatments can ease symptoms and help you stay active.
- Spine Deformities: Over time, changes in the spine can lead to deformities causing discomfort and affecting balance; however, with appropriate medical care, many seniors can experience significant pain relief and improved quality of life.
- Back Pain: Back pain can stem from various sources such as arthritis, muscle strains, or spinal problems, but with proper diagnosis and treatment, such as medication or surgery, seniors can regain independence and reduce discomfort.
- Arthritis of the Elbow: Dealing with elbow arthritis can be frustrating, as it often leads to reduced range of motion and difficulty with simple tasks; fortunately, your doctor can discuss various management strategies, such as lifestyle changes, medication, or minimally invasive procedures to make your daily life easier.
- Osteoarthritis: While osteoarthritis can cause significant pain and stiffness in your joints, it's important to remember that effective management strategies including lifestyle changes, medication, and therapies are available to help you live more comfortably and maintain your ability to perform daily tasks.
- Herniated Disc: A herniated disc doesn't have to limit you; various treatment options exist to alleviate symptoms, restore comfort, and preserve your quality of life.
- Intervertebral Disc Disease: For seniors experiencing intervertebral disc problems, a combination of approaches including physical therapy, medication, and possibly spinal injections or surgery can significantly improve comfort and function.
- Osteoarthritis of Hip and Thigh: With hip and thigh osteoarthritis, the cushioning cartilage in your hip wears away, causing pain and making movement difficult; however, various treatments, including joint replacement surgery in some cases, aim to ease pain and help you stay active.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Cynthia Harding offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Elbow Fracture Repair: Elbow fracture repair is a surgical procedure to fix broken bones in the elbow, restoring function and reducing pain for seniors.
- Elbow Fracture and Dislocation Treatment: Addressing elbow fractures and dislocations is a key part of a comprehensive care plan for seniors to ensure healing and prevent further injury.
- Excision of Metacarpal and Carpal: As part of a comprehensive care plan for seniors, excision of metacarpal and carpal bones can restore mobility and improve quality of life by addressing painful hand conditions.
- Myofascial Trigger Point Injection: For seniors experiencing chronic muscle pain limiting their range of motion, myofascial trigger point injections offer a minimally invasive approach to pain relief and improved function.
- Hand and Wrist Fracture and Dislocation Treatment: This service provides expert diagnosis and management of hand and wrist injuries, ensuring seniors regain their independence.
- Wrist Replacement: As part of a tailored treatment strategy, wrist replacement aims to restore the wrist's natural motion and strength, enhancing the overall well-being of older adults.
- Arm Surgery: Arm surgery can help diagnose and treat various conditions affecting the arm and hand, such as rotator cuff tears or carpal tunnel syndrome, enhancing seniors' comfort.
- Neuroplasty: Neuroplasty is a procedure that helps relieve pressure on nerves, improving pain and function for seniors experiencing nerve compression.
- Somatic Nerve Block: As part of a comprehensive pain management plan, somatic nerve blocks can provide temporary pain relief for seniors with musculoskeletal issues, allowing for better participation in physical therapy.
- Carpal Tunnel Release: This procedure addresses carpal tunnel syndrome, a common condition affecting hand function, improving grip strength and dexterity for seniors.
- Peripheral Nerve Block: To help manage pain and improve comfort, a peripheral nerve block can temporarily block nerve signals in the affected limb, making it easier to manage post-operative pain.
- Tommy John Surgery: For active older adults with elbow problems limiting their activities, Tommy John surgery offers a potential solution to repair damaged ligaments and improve range of motion.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Orthopedic Surgeries in Florida.
Dr. Cynthia Harding is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- After experiencing some instability following her hip replacement, a woman felt significantly more secure navigating her home, and regained the joy of walking her beloved dog.
- After years of discomfort from a poorly healed fracture, a senior felt a renewed sense of security in their home, regaining their ability to safely navigate stairs and perform everyday tasks.
- Following physical therapy and pain management, a senior was able to resume their beloved daily walks, enjoying improved mobility and reduced pain.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (Orthopedic Surgery)
Here are answers to some common questions about Orthopedic care with Dr. Cynthia Harding:
- What is an Orthopedic Surgeon?
- Dr. Harding and her team are orthopedic surgeons, meaning they specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of problems with the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. They offer both surgical and non-surgical approaches to help relieve pain and restore function for seniors.
- Does seeing an orthopedic surgeon automatically mean I need surgery?
- Absolutely not. Dr. Harding's practice is focused on finding the best treatment plan for each individual, often starting with conservative options like physical therapy, injections, or bracing. Surgery is only considered when it's the most effective way to restore function and quality of life.
- What is a rotator cuff tear?
- A rotator cuff tear is a problem with the group of four tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. Tears can result from injury or gradual wear and tear, causing pain and weakness. Many tears are successfully treated without surgery through physical therapy and injections, but for larger tears, Dr. Harding can perform arthroscopic surgery to repair the tendon.
- My back and leg pain is getting worse. What could it be?
- Back and leg pain in seniors can sometimes be due to conditions like a herniated disc or spinal stenosis, where nerves in the lower back are being pinched. Dr. Harding can perform a thorough evaluation to pinpoint the cause and will typically start with non-surgical treatments like physical therapy or epidural steroid injections to relieve the pressure and pain.
- How is a broken hip (hip fracture) treated in seniors?
- A broken hip in an older adult is a serious injury requiring surgery to stabilize the bone. The type of surgery depends on the specific break, but the primary goal is to relieve pain and get you moving again quickly with the help of physical therapists.
- What can be done for my painful knee or hip arthritis?
- We understand the pain you're experiencing. Treatment for arthritis is a stepwise approach, often starting with conservative measures like medication, physical therapy, and injections. If pain persists and limits your daily activities, Dr. Harding may discuss joint replacement surgery as a highly effective option.
- What is the recovery like after a knee or hip replacement?
- Recovery after a knee or hip replacement is a process involving a hospital stay and extensive physical therapy. While modern techniques often allow patients to walk on the same day as surgery, regaining strength and motion takes time. Most patients experience significant pain relief and return to many daily activities within a few months.
- What is joint replacement surgery?
- Joint replacement surgery, performed by Dr. Harding, is a procedure to replace a damaged or arthritic joint with an artificial implant. The goal is to relieve the bone-on-bone pain caused by severe arthritis, and this very successful procedure can dramatically improve mobility, reduce pain, and restore independence for activities like walking and climbing stairs.
3305 SW 34th Cir Ste 101
Ocala FL 34474
Phone: (352) 732-3110
Dr. Cynthia Harding, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1912972118
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Orthopedic Surgeries like Dr. Cynthia Harding are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.