Dr. Joseph Alonzo, DO is an Orthopedic Surgeon dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care for older adults at Florida Orthopaedic Institute - Lakeland in Lakeland, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Dr. Alonzo understands the unique needs of seniors, focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of common musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, fractures, and spinal issues. He works collaboratively with primary care physicians and other specialists to deliver personalized, holistic care, ensuring the best possible outcomes for older adults (65+) and active seniors. He is currently welcoming new patients; please call (863) 315-8982 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Alonzo's approach to patient care is deeply personal, reflecting his belief that every patient deserves individualized attention. His philosophy centers on a thorough understanding of each patient's history, followed by a comprehensive physical exam and review of imaging. This allows him to develop a tailored treatment plan, whether it involves conservative management or surgical intervention. Dr. Alonzo is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, specializing in hip and knee replacements, revision surgery, and the treatment of related conditions. He is committed to restoring patients' quality of life and helping them regain their independence, drawing on his rigorous medical training, including an internship and residency at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, followed by a fellowship at Florida Orthopaedic Institute. His consultations are primarily conducted in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Joseph Alonzo is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Alonzo is a compassionate partner in your senior's health journey, offering comprehensive orthopedic care with a focus on personalized treatment plans. He collaborates seamlessly with primary care physicians and other specialists to address a wide range of musculoskeletal concerns, from arthritis to fractures, ensuring the best possible outcomes and maintaining each patient's independence and comfort.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Joseph Alonzo can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Cigna
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Ambetter
- Blue Card High Performance Network HPN
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
- BlueCard Traditional
- BlueCare
- BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
- BlueOptions
- BlueSelect
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Choice
- Choice Care (Humana)
- Choice Plus
- ChoiceCare Network
- EmblemHealth
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care)
- HealthSmart
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- LocalPlus
- MAPFRE Life Insurance Company of Puerto Rico
- Managed Choice (Open Access)
- National
- Navigate
- Navigate Plus
- Nexus Open Access
- Open Access Plus
- Open Choice
- Options
- Preferred
- Premier Care Network Plus - Innovation Health
- Select
- Superior Health Plan
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Joseph Alonzo 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:
- Genu Varum: Bowlegs, medically known as genu varum, can cause discomfort and affect your ability to stay active, but with appropriate management including physical therapy or surgical correction you can regain your independence and enjoy a higher quality of life.
- Bursitis: Bursitis, an inflammation of the small sacs near your joints, can make everyday activities challenging, but with proper care, such as rest, ice, and medication, you can manage the pain and regain your independence.
- Hip Arthritis: Hip arthritis is a common condition in older adults where the cartilage cushioning the hip joint wears away, causing pain and stiffness that can make everyday activities difficult.
- Osteoarthritis of Hip: Osteoarthritis of the hip is a common condition where the cartilage cushioning your hip joint wears away, causing pain and stiffness.
- Hip Fracture: A hip fracture is a break in the bone of your hip, often occurring from a fall, and can be repaired through surgery to help you regain mobility and independence.
- Osteoarthritis of Knee: Osteoarthritis of the knee is a type of arthritis causing joint pain and stiffness, often relieved with medication, physical therapy, and sometimes joint replacement surgery to improve mobility and reduce pain.
- Femur Fracture: A femur fracture is a broken thigh bone, a common injury among seniors that's often treated with surgery to help you regain mobility and independence.
- Lumbar Spine Fracture: A lumbar spine fracture is a break in one of the vertebrae in your lower back, and various treatments such as surgery or nonsurgical management exist to help you recover and reduce the pain, enabling you to participate in your daily activities.
- Lumbar Compression Fracture: When the bones in your lower spine weaken, they can collapse, causing a lumbar compression fracture which can lead to significant back pain. Fortunately, there are effective treatments to reduce pain and help you stay active.
- Knee Arthritis: Knee arthritis is a common condition where the cartilage cushioning your knee joint wears down, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling, but many treatments can help manage symptoms and improve mobility.
- Gout: Gout treatment aims to relieve the intense pain of attacks and prevent future occurrences, improving your mobility and overall quality of life.
- Femoral Neck Fracture: A femoral neck fracture is a break in the bone connecting your thighbone to your hip, often requiring surgery to repair and restore mobility.
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. Joseph Alonzo offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Knee and Leg Fracture and Dislocation Treatment: Managing knee and leg injuries ensures seniors receive the appropriate carefrom pain relief to surgeryto minimize long-term effects and enhance their ability to stay active.
- Steroid Injection: Steroid injections are sometimes used to diagnose the source of your joint pain by observing the response to the treatment.
- Total Knee Arthroplasty with Robotic Assist: For seniors struggling with debilitating knee pain from osteoarthritis, robotic-assisted total knee replacement offers a precise surgical approach to restore joint function and enhance quality of life.
- Viscosupplementation With Hyaluronate: This treatment involves injecting hyaluronic acid into a joint to supplement the body's natural lubrication, thus alleviating pain and enhancing joint health in older adults.
- Simple Fracture Care and Casting: As part of a comprehensive care plan, simple fracture care, including casting, helps seniors recover from bone injuries.
- Arthrocentesis: Arthrocentesis is a procedure where a doctor uses a needle to remove fluid from a joint, helping them diagnose the cause of pain and swelling.
- Knee Replacement Revision: If your previous knee replacement isn't working as well as it should, a revision surgery can help improve its function and longevity, supporting your active lifestyle.
- Hip Replacement: This surgery helps diagnose and treat the underlying cause of debilitating hip pain, allowing seniors to participate more fully in their daily lives.
- Knee Replacement: Knee replacement surgery is a procedure to replace a damaged knee joint with an artificial one, alleviating chronic pain and improving mobility for seniors with severe arthritis.
- 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.
- Fracture Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF): When a senior experiences a fracture requiring more than simple casting, ORIF offers a surgical intervention to repair the broken bone, minimizing long-term disability and enabling a quicker return to their normal activities.
- Arthroscopic Surgery: Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that allows doctors to diagnose and treat joint problems with smaller incisions, leading to faster recovery times for seniors.
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. Joseph Alonzo 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:
- With improved mobility and reduced pain from genu varum, a senior was able to resume their beloved daily walks in the park, connecting with neighbors and enjoying the fresh air.
- With bursitis pain significantly reduced, a senior couple was able to enjoy their weekly ballroom dancing lessons again, a cherished activity for them both.
- With hip arthritis better managed, a senior couple felt more secure navigating their home, enjoying evening strolls together without the constant pain.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He 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)
Here are answers to some common questions about Orthopedic care with Dr. Joseph Alonzo:
- What is an Orthopedic Surgeon?
- Dr. Alonzo is an orthopedic surgeon, a medical doctor specializing in the musculoskeletal systembones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Our practice provides comprehensive care, from diagnosis to treatment, including surgical and non-surgical options, to help relieve pain and restore function for seniors.
- Does seeing an orthopedic surgeon automatically mean I need surgery?
- Absolutely not. Dr. Alonzo's practice emphasizes finding the best treatment plan for each individual, often recommending conservative options like physical therapy, injections, or bracing first. Surgery is only considered when it's the most effective way to restore quality of life.
- How is a broken hip (hip fracture) treated in seniors?
- A hip fracture in an older adult is a serious injury requiring surgery to stabilize the bone. The type of surgery depends on the specific fracture pattern, but the primary goal is to relieve pain and get the patient moving again as quickly as possible, often with the help of physical therapists.
- What is the recovery like after a knee or hip replacement?
- Recovery after a knee or hip replacement is a process, starting with a hospital stay and continuing with extensive physical therapy. Modern techniques often allow patients to walk on the same day as surgery. The goal is to regain strength and motion, often resulting in significant pain reduction and a return to many daily activities within a few months.
- 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 daily activities, Dr. Alonzo may discuss joint replacement surgery as a highly effective option.
- My ankle feels weak and painful. What are my options?
- Dr. Alonzo understands that chronic ankle pain and instability in seniors can stem from arthritis or old ligament injuries. Treatment often begins with supportive bracing, physical therapy, and injections. For severe cases, Dr. Alonzo can discuss surgical options like ankle fusion or, in some cases, total ankle replacement to provide stability and pain relief.
- What is a rotator cuff tear?
- A rotator cuff tear is a problem with the group of four tendons that stabilize your shoulder joint. Tears can occur from an injury or the gradual wear and tear of aging. Many tears can be treated successfully with physical therapy and injections, but for larger tears, Dr. Alonzo can perform arthroscopic surgery to repair the tendon.
- What is joint replacement surgery?
- Joint replacement surgery, performed by Dr. Alonzo, is a procedure to replace a damaged or arthritic joint with an artificial implant. The goal is to relieve the pain of bone-on-bone friction from severe arthritis. This very successful procedure can dramatically improve mobility, reduce pain, and restore independence for activities like walking and climbing stairs.
Florida Orthopaedic Institute - Lakeland
4725 US 98 S Ste 101
Lakeland FL 33812
Phone: (863) 315-8982
Dr. Joseph Alonzo, DO 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): 1942706973
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. Joseph Alonzo 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.