Dr. Lawrence Alexander, MD is an Orthopedic Surgeon practicing at our Fort Lauderdale, FL clinic, dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive Orthopedic care for older adults. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a partner in your senior health journey, Dr. Alexander understands the unique needs of older adults (65+) and active seniors. 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. He is currently welcoming new patients, and you can schedule an appointment by calling (954) 255-8407.
Dr. Alexander, a Miami, FL native, brings over 20 years of dedicated experience in Orthopedic care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from New York University Grossman School Of Medicine in 2003, followed by an internship and residency in Orthopedic Surgery at University Of North Carolina Hospitals. Further specializing, he pursued fellowship training in Spine Surgery at The Cleveland Clinic, gaining expertise in Minimally Invasive Spine (MIS) Surgery. This advanced training provides patients with less post-operative pain, quicker recovery, and improved function. He is Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery by the American Board of Physician Specialties. Dr. Alexander's approach to care is collaborative and evidence-based, fostering a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. He offers consultations in Spanish.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Lawrence Alexander is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Alexander is a compassionate and dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive orthopedic care with a focus on personalized solutions. He expertly diagnoses and treats a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, collaborating closely with primary care physicians and other specialists to create a holistic treatment plan. His approach prioritizes understanding each patient's individual needs and goals, fostering a supportive environment to maximize comfort and independence.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Lawrence Alexander can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Beech Street (Multiplan)
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
CeltiCare Health
Coventry Health Care
Health Net
Humana
Mail Handlers Benefit Plan (MHBP)
Medicaid
Medicare
MultiPlan
PHCS
Travelers
Tricare
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Buckeye Community Health Plan
- Buckeye Community Health Plan HMO-SNP
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Lawrence Alexander 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:
- Neck Sprain: Experiencing neck pain after a sudden movement or injury? A neck sprain might be the cause, and thankfully, most cases improve with simple self-care, allowing you to maintain your independence and enjoy your activities.
- Myelopathy: If you experience weakness, numbness, or clumsiness in your limbs due to myelopathy, a condition affecting the spinal cord, various treatment options including surgery and therapies aim to improve movement and reduce discomfort.
- Spinal Stenosis: Spinal stenosis, a common condition in older adults, occurs when the spaces within your spine become smaller, often leading to discomfort and limited mobility, but treatments are available to improve your quality of life.
- Fracture: A fracture, or broken bone, is a common problem among seniors, but with proper medical care such as surgery or immobilization, most heal well and allow you to maintain your independence.
- Lumbar Sprain: A lumbar sprain is a stretching or tearing of the ligaments in your lower back, making bending and lifting difficult. Treatment focuses on reducing pain and inflammation to help you resume your daily activities.
- Rotator Cuff Tendinosis: Rotator cuff tendinosis is a gradual degeneration of the tendons in your shoulder, leading to discomfort and limited mobility; treatment focuses on relieving pain and regaining strength to help you stay active and independent.
- Coccygeal Pain: Many older adults find relief from coccygeal pain by using supportive seating and practicing gentle stretches to ease discomfort and improve their ability to sit comfortably for longer periods.
- Joint Pain: Joint pain, a common experience with age, can often be managed with simple lifestyle changes, medication, or physical therapy, helping you maintain your mobility and independence.
- Coccyx or Sacrum Fracture: Breaking the tailbone (coccyx) or the bone above it (sacrum) is unfortunately common in older adults after a fall, however, with proper care including pain medication and physical therapy, most people recover fully, allowing them to live more comfortably.
- Thoracic Stenosis: As we age, the spaces in our spine can narrow, a condition called thoracic stenosis, potentially leading to discomfort or difficulty with movement; however, treatment options can help manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
- Cervical Stenosis: If you're experiencing neck pain, numbness, or weakness in your arms or legs, it might be due to cervical stenosis; your doctor can help determine the best course of action, potentially involving medication, physical therapy, or surgery, to help you stay active and independent.
- Neck Pain: Neck pain, a common issue among seniors, can stem from various causes, and effective management often involves a combination of physical therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments to improve mobility and reduce discomfort.
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. Lawrence Alexander offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Fracture Care: A comprehensive fracture care plan helps seniors heal properly and safely return to their daily activities.
- Lumbar Fusion with Robotic Assist: For seniors experiencing severe lower back pain from spinal instability, robotic-assisted lumbar fusion offers a precise surgical approach to improve mobility and quality of life.
- Facet Blocks: To manage chronic lower back pain, facet blocks provide temporary pain relief by numbing the nerves in the facet joints.
- Arthrocentesis: To ease joint pain and stiffness, arthrocentesis may be used to drain excess fluid, offering temporary relief for seniors with arthritis.
- Percutaneous Kyphoplasty: Percutaneous kyphoplasty is a treatment option for seniors to address the debilitating pain associated with vertebral compression fractures, improving posture and function.
- Total Disc Replacement: For seniors experiencing debilitating back pain from a damaged disc, total disc replacement surgery offers a potential solution to enhance comfort and independence.
- ACL Surgery: ACL surgery helps manage severe knee instability caused by a torn ACL, allowing seniors to improve their mobility and quality of life.
- Spine Surgery: Spine surgery helps diagnose and manage serious spinal conditions, such as nerve compression, allowing seniors to regain strength and participate more fully in life.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection (PRP): As part of a comprehensive care plan, PRP injections may help accelerate healing from a sports injury or a fracture, allowing active seniors to regain mobility faster.
- Disc Replacement: This procedure, considered in a senior's care journey, is a minimally invasive alternative to spinal fusion in managing severe back pain and improving daily function.
- Facet Joint Injection: For seniors experiencing lower back pain, a facet joint injection can be a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool to help manage pain and improve functionality without major surgery.
- Vertebroplasty: As part of a senior's care plan for spinal pain, vertebroplasty can help diagnose and manage the cause of painful compression fractures, leading to a reduction in discomfort and improved mobility.
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. Lawrence Alexander 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 a painful neck sprain, a senior was able to resume their beloved weekly book club meetings, a vital social connection in their life, thanks to the guidance of an orthopedic surgeon.
- With careful guidance and personalized treatment, a senior regained the ability to walk confidently around their home, a significant improvement in their quality of life after managing myelopathy.
- After undergoing treatment for spinal stenosis, a senior couple was thrilled to rediscover their love for hiking, enjoying scenic trails without the debilitating pain that had previously limited their activities.
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)
- American Board of Physician Specialties (Orthopedic Surgery)
Here are answers to some common questions about Orthopedic care with Dr. Lawrence Alexander:
- What is an Orthopedic Surgeon?
- Dr. Lawrence Alexander and his team are orthopedic surgeons, meaning they specialize in the entire musculoskeletal systembones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. They diagnose and treat conditions affecting this system, using both surgical and non-surgical approaches to relieve pain and restore function for seniors.
- Does seeing an orthopedic surgeon automatically mean I need surgery?
- Absolutely not. Dr. Alexander's practice emphasizes 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 beneficial 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 occur from an injury or from the wear and tear of aging, causing pain and weakness. Many tears can be managed without surgery through physical therapy and injections, but for larger tears, Dr. Lawrence Alexander can perform arthroscopic surgery to repair the tendon.
- What is joint replacement surgery?
- Joint replacement surgery, performed by Dr. Alexander, 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, dramatically improving mobility, reducing pain, and restoring independence for activities like walking and climbing stairs.
- What is the recovery like after a knee or hip replacement?
- Recovery after a knee or hip replacement is a process, typically starting with a hospital stay and followed by extensive physical therapy. Modern techniques often allow patients to walk the same day as surgery. The goal is regaining strength and motion, with most patients experiencing significant pain relief and a return to daily activities within a few months.
- What is arthroscopic surgery?
- Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique where Dr. Alexander uses a tiny camera and small instruments inserted through small incisions to see and repair problems inside a joint. It often results in less pain, less tissue damage, and a faster recovery than traditional open surgery.
- What can be done for the numbness and tingling in my hand?
- Numbness and tingling in the hand are classic symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Initial treatment often involves a wrist brace or steroid injection. If symptoms persist, Dr. Alexander can perform a simple outpatient surgery to relieve the pressure on the nerve and provide lasting relief.
- 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 squeezed. Dr. Alexander can perform a thorough evaluation to determine the exact cause and will likely start with non-surgical treatments like physical therapy or epidural steroid injections to alleviate the pressure and pain.
1216 SE 1st Ave
Fort Lauderdale FL 33316
Phone: (954) 255-8407
Dr. Lawrence Alexander, 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): 1912128851
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. Lawrence Alexander 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.