Dr. Ricardo Gerenstein, MD is a Pain Medicine Physician dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care for older adults at his clinic in Miami, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Dr. Gerenstein understands the unique health challenges seniors face, and his practice is specifically focused on the management of complex chronic pain conditions common in this population. Pain Medicine Physicians provide specialized expertise in managing these conditions, partnering with primary care physicians and other members of the care team to reduce pain, improve function, and enhance quality of life through comprehensive medication management, minimally-invasive procedures, and advanced therapies. He is committed to serving patients 65 years and older, and is currently welcoming new patients. Please call (305) 709-6686 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Gerenstein brings a wealth of experience to his practice. A board-certified anesthesiologist specializing in pain management, he is deeply committed to providing state-of-the-art, compassionate treatments for chronic pain. He has a distinguished career spanning decades, encompassing rigorous medical training from renowned institutions like the Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, and extensive experience at institutions including Jackson Memorial Medical Center, the Cleveland Clinic, and Aventura Hospital. His education culminated in a residency in Anesthesiology and a fellowship in Cardiac Anesthesiology, followed by further specialized training in Pain Medicine. He is now an Assistant Professor at the Department of Anesthesiology at Florida International University, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, and dedicated to the South Florida community. His approach emphasizes individualized care, utilizing a range of treatments, including medications, minimally invasive procedures, physical therapy, psychological support, and alternative approaches, all tailored to each patient's unique needs. Dr. Gerenstein offers consultations in Spanish.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Ricardo Gerenstein is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Gerenstein is a dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, providing compassionate and comprehensive pain management. He specializes in the complex pain conditions often affecting older adults, collaborating closely with primary care physicians and other members of the care team to develop personalized treatment plans. This collaborative approach focuses on reducing pain, improving function, and enhancing overall quality of life through a combination of medication management, minimally invasive procedures, and advanced therapies, ensuring the best possible care tailored to each individual's needs.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Ricardo Gerenstein can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
Humana
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Ambetter
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- Superior Health Plan
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Ricardo Gerenstein 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:
- Fibromyalgia: The persistent pain of fibromyalgia can feel overwhelming, affecting sleep and energy levels, but with a tailored approach combining medication, lifestyle changes, and other therapies from your pain doctor, you can regain some control and improve your quality of life.
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS): If you're experiencing ongoing knee pain due to patellofemoral pain syndrome, know that you're not alone and that effective management strategies exist to lessen pain and allow you to maintain your quality of life.
- Chronic Neck Pain: Managing persistent neck pain in older adults often involves a team approach, combining medication, minimally invasive procedures, and advanced therapies tailored to your specific needs and improving your quality of life.
- Benign Chronic Pain Syndrome: Benign chronic pain syndrome refers to persistent pain that isn't caused by a serious underlying disease, and a pain medicine physician can help manage it to improve your comfort and daily life.
- Post-Laminectomy Syndrome: Post-laminectomy syndrome means you're still experiencing pain even after back surgery to relieve pressure on nerves, but a doctor specializing in pain management can work with you to find effective relief and enhance your quality of life.
- Spondylolisthesis: Spondylolisthesis is a condition where one vertebra slips forward over another, often causing lower back pain and stiffness that can be managed with medication, physical therapy, and sometimes injections to improve mobility and reduce discomfort.
- Osteoarthritis of Hip: If you're experiencing hip pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis, know that you're not alone, and there are many ways to manage your symptoms and improve your comfort level, such as medication, injections, or other procedures.
- Back Pain: Back pain doesn't have to control your life. A pain medicine physician can help you manage this condition, using the right combination of treatment to regain your independence and improve your quality of life.
- Low Back Pain: Experiencing persistent lower back pain can significantly impact your mobility and overall well-being, but a pain medicine physician can help by creating a personalized treatment plan focusing on pain relief, increased mobility, and improved quality of life.
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): Living with CRPS can be challenging, but effective treatments are available. A pain medicine doctor specializes in managing this type of chronic pain and can develop a plan tailored to your individual needs, potentially significantly improving your quality of life and mobility.
- Headache: Chronic headaches can make it difficult to participate in the activities you enjoy, but with appropriate medical care, many older adults find significant relief and maintain a fulfilling lifestyle.
- Spondylitis: Spinal inflammation, known as spondylitis, can be a source of chronic discomfort. Your physician will take a comprehensive approach, possibly including medication, physical therapy, and even specialized injections, to help you manage the pain and live more comfortably.
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. Ricardo Gerenstein offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Trigger Point Injection: Trigger point injections offer targeted relief from persistent muscle pain, supporting seniors in maintaining their independence and improving their quality of life.
- Somatic Nerve Block: A somatic nerve block is a valuable tool in your journey towards improved pain control; it helps your physician assess the source of pain and plan the most effective treatment moving forward.
- Sacroiliac Joint Injection: This injection helps assess the role of the sacroiliac joint in your lower back pain and allows your doctor to develop a personalized care plan, which may include medication, physical therapy, or other interventions.
- Nerve Destruction by Neurolytic Agent: When other pain management options fail, nerve destruction with a neurolytic agent may be considered to selectively eliminate pain signals, helping seniors regain mobility and independence.
- Joint Drainage: This procedure helps doctors assess the condition of the joint and determine whether other interventions, such as medication or injections, are necessary.
- Sympathetic Nerve Block: For seniors with complex pain, a sympathetic nerve block can help manage nerve pain in a targeted way, improving mobility and daily function.
- Facet Joint Injection: Facet joint injections deliver medication directly to the affected area to reduce pain and improve mobility, supporting your journey to greater independence.
- Epidural Steroid Injections: As part of your comprehensive pain management plan, epidural steroid injections may provide temporary pain relief and improved mobility.
- Stellate Ganglion Block: As part of a comprehensive pain management plan, a stellate ganglion block helps determine the source and character of upper body nerve pain, informing future treatment choices.
- Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection: For seniors with persistent lower back pain, this injection offers a potential path towards pain relief, improved function, and a better quality of life by reducing inflammation in the spine.
- Myofascial Trigger Point Injection: This minimally invasive procedure helps diagnose and treat myofascial pain syndrome, a common source of chronic pain in older adults, supporting their overall well-being.
- Joint Injection: A joint injection delivers medication directly to the painful area, providing targeted relief from arthritis or other joint-related discomfort.
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 Pain Medicine Physicians in Florida.
Dr. Ricardo Gerenstein 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 a tailored treatment plan, a senior with fibromyalgia experienced a significant reduction in pain, enabling them to resume their beloved hobby of knitting, a treasured pastime they had put aside due to the discomfort.
- With personalized treatment for patellofemoral pain syndrome, a senior was able to resume her favorite pastime of walking the local trails without the debilitating knee pain. Her family felt immense relief knowing she could enjoy these activities again.
- With a tailored treatment plan, a senior was able to resume their beloved hobby of knitting without the debilitating neck pain, significantly improving their quality of life.
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 Pain Medicine care with Dr. Ricardo Gerenstein:
- What is a Pain Medicine specialist?
- A pain medicine specialist, like Dr. Gerenstein, is a medical doctor with specialized training in diagnosing and treating chronic pain. Their goal is to find the root cause of your pain and create a comprehensive treatment plan to improve your function, mobility, and overall well-being.
- Is the only treatment option more pain medication?
- No. Our multimodal approach uses a variety of treatments, including minimally-invasive procedures like injections and nerve blocks, and physical therapy, to address the source of pain and reduce reliance on oral medications. Dr. Gerenstein focuses on helping patients feel better and live more actively.
- What is an epidural steroid injection and is it safe?
- An epidural steroid injection is a common and effective procedure where a strong anti-inflammatory medication is delivered directly to the source of pain in the spine. It helps reduce swelling and inflammation around nerves, providing significant pain relief. When performed by a specialist like Dr. Gerenstein using x-ray guidance, it is a very safe procedure.
- What is a facet joint injection?
- A facet joint injection is a precise injection of numbing medicine and a steroid directly into a small, stabilizing joint in your spine (like a knuckle). If these joints become arthritic, they can cause neck or back pain. The injection helps confirm if the joint is the source of the pain and provides temporary relief.
- I'm on a blood thinner. Can I still have an injection procedure?
- Patient safety is our top priority. For many procedures, blood thinners may need to be temporarily stopped, but this will always be coordinated closely with your cardiologist. Dr. Gerenstein will give you very specific instructions on when to stop and restart your medications to ensure the procedure is performed safely.
- How is pain from cancer managed?
- Managing cancer-related pain is a critical part of your overall care and quality of life. Dr. Gerenstein works closely with your oncologist to create a personalized plan that may include carefully managed medications, advanced nerve blocks, or even implantable pain pumps to provide consistent relief while minimizing side effects.
- I have terrible nerve pain from my diabetes (neuropathy). Can you help?
- Yes, neuropathic pain requires a different approach than other types of pain. Dr. Gerenstein has expertise in managing this, using specific medications, sympathetic nerve blocks, or even advanced treatments like spinal cord stimulation to calm overactive nerves and provide relief.
- What is a Spinal Cord Stimulator?
- A spinal cord stimulator is a small, implanted device that sends mild electrical signals to the spinal cord, similar to a pacemaker for pain. These signals interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain, often replacing pain with a more pleasant sensation or nothing at all. A temporary trial period allows patients to experience the therapy before a permanent implant.
20770 W Dixie Hwy
Miami FL 33180
Phone: (305) 709-6686
Dr. Ricardo Gerenstein, 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): 1033172580
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. Pain Medicine Physicians like Dr. Ricardo Gerenstein 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.