Dr. Robert Kent, DO is a Pain Medicine Physician dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care for older adults at his clinic in Tampa, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Dr. Kent understands the unique needs of individuals 65 years and older, recognizing that chronic pain conditions can significantly impact their quality of life. He specializes in managing these complex issues, working closely with primary care physicians and other healthcare professionals to develop personalized treatment plans. His approach focuses on reducing pain, improving function, and enhancing overall well-being through a combination of medication management, minimally-invasive procedures, and advanced therapies. I strive to provide the best patient care with a patient-centered approach and use a multimodality treatment plan to make people pain free and functional.
Pain Medicine Physicians provide specialized expertise in managing complex chronic pain conditions common in older adults, partnering with primary care physicians and the broader care team to reduce pain, improve function, and enhance quality of life through comprehensive medication management, minimally-invasive procedures, and advanced therapies. Dr. Kent's 15+ years of dedicated experience in Pain Medicine, coupled with his medical degree from Des Moines University College Of Osteopathic Medicine in 2009, and his Board Certifications in Pain Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, ensure patients receive the most current and effective care. Our practice is dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and management of acute and chronic pain, aimed at returning patients to an enjoyable, productive life. We accomplish this with a multimodal approach that includes conservative, alternative and procedural treatments. Every patient is given their own plan suited to meet their needs. Dr. Kent is currently welcoming new patients. Please call (813) 844-7412 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Robert Kent provides consultations primarily in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Robert Kent is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Kent is a dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, offering compassionate and comprehensive pain medicine care. He specializes in managing chronic pain conditions common in older adults, working collaboratively with primary care physicians and other specialists to create a personalized plan. This includes meticulous medication management, minimally invasive procedures, and advanced therapies, all focused on reducing pain, improving function, and enhancing the overall quality of life for each patient.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Robert Kent can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- BlueCard PPO
- BlueCare HMO
- BlueOptions
- BlueSelect
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Choice
- Choice Plus POS
- Cigna
- Cigna HMO
- Cigna PPO
- Commercial Individual POS
- Florida Blue
- Florida Health Care Plan
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Ind/Fam/Emp Triple Option
- Navigate HMO
- Navigate Plus POS
- Nexus Open Access
- Open Access Plus
- Options PPO
- Seamless HMO
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Robert Kent 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:
- Diabetic Polyneuropathy: If you have diabetes, diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage that can cause painful sensations in your extremities. Fortunately, effective treatments, including medications and therapies, are available to ease discomfort and help you maintain your independence.
- Myelopathy: Spinal cord problems, known as myelopathy, can lead to discomfort and limited movement in older adults; however, with a pain management specialist's care, including medication and minimally invasive procedures, significant pain relief and improved function are often achievable.
- Enthesopathy of Hip (incl. Trochanteric Bursitis): Experiencing hip pain from enthesopathy (and possibly trochanteric bursitis)? Your pain medicine specialist can create a personalized treatment plan to reduce pain and improve your mobility.
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS): Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is characterized by pain around the kneecap, but with the right careincluding physical therapy, pain medication, and possibly injectionsyou can manage the pain, and regain your confidence and mobility.
- Benign Chronic Pain Syndrome: Living with ongoing pain that's not linked to a serious illness can be challenging, but a specialist can develop a treatment plan to help you better manage your benign chronic pain and maintain your independence.
- Neck Strain (incl. Whiplash Injury): Experiencing neck pain from a strain or whiplash? A pain medicine physician can help manage your discomfort with medication, injections, or other therapies, improving your daily life and independence.
- Cervical Radiculopathy: Cervical radiculopathy, or a pinched nerve in the neck, may limit your movement and cause significant discomfort; however, specialized pain management care can often significantly reduce pain and increase your independence.
- Phantom Limb Pain: Phantom limb pain is a puzzling but treatable condition where someone feels pain in a limb that's no longer there, and a pain medicine doctor can help manage it with medication and other therapies to improve comfort and function.
- Phantom Limb Without Pain: The feeling of a missing limb without accompanying pain is called phantom limb sensation without pain; while unusual, it is generally harmless and rarely needs medical intervention.
- Spinal Stenosis with Neurogenic Claudication: When spinal stenosis leads to neurogenic claudication, walking can trigger leg pain and numbness because your spinal nerves are compressed; a pain management specialist can create a plan to lessen this pain and help you stay active.
- Post-Laminectomy Syndrome: If you're experiencing persistent back pain after a laminectomy, you may have post-laminectomy syndromea condition a pain management physician can help treat to improve your function and independence.
- 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.
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. Robert Kent offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Facet Blocks: To manage chronic back pain, facet blocks provide targeted pain relief by temporarily numbing the nerves in the spine's facet joints.
- Nerve Destruction by Neurolytic Agent: To address chronic nerve pain that hasn't responded to other treatments, this procedure uses a neurolytic agent to disrupt problematic nerve pathways, supporting a comprehensive pain management strategy.
- Non-Cosmetic Chemodenervation: Non-cosmetic chemodenervation is a procedure that helps pinpoint the source of chronic pain by temporarily blocking nerve signals, guiding treatment decisions for seniors.
- Spinal Nerve Block: A spinal nerve block is a procedure that can help pinpoint the source of your back pain and guide treatment decisions.
- Sympathetic Nerve Block: As part of a comprehensive pain management plan, a sympathetic nerve block can provide temporary pain relief and help determine the best long-term approach for seniors.
- Intracept Procedure: The Intracept procedure is a minimally invasive treatment that targets painful nerves in the spine to help reduce chronic back pain and improve mobility in seniors.
- Epidural Lysis of Adhesions (LOA): Epidural lysis of adhesions (LOA) is a procedure that helps relieve chronic back pain in seniors by breaking up scar tissue around the spinal cord, improving mobility and comfort.
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. Robert Kent 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 the guidance of a pain medicine physician, a senior couple found relief from the debilitating pain of diabetic neuropathy, allowing them to resume their cherished evening walks together in the park.
- With the guidance of a pain management specialist, a senior experienced significant pain reduction and regained the ability to confidently navigate their home, a source of great joy for the family.
- With targeted treatment for hip pain, a senior was able to resume their beloved daily walks with newfound ease and confidence. The family felt a huge sense of relief knowing their loved one could now enjoy more mobility and less 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
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- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Osteopathic Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (Pain Medicine)
- American Osteopathic Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation)
Here are answers to some common questions about Pain Medicine care with Dr. Robert Kent:
- What is a Pain Medicine specialist?
- A pain medicine specialist, like Dr. Kent, is a medical doctor with specialized training in diagnosing and treating chronic pain. Their goal is to find the cause of your pain and create a comprehensive treatment plan to improve your function, mobility, and quality of life, not just prescribe medication.
- Is the only treatment option more pain medication?
- No. Our approach is multimodal, using a variety of treatments to reduce reliance on oral medications. Dr. Kent focuses on minimally-invasive procedures like targeted injections, nerve blocks, and physical therapy to address the source of the pain, 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 precisely 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. Robert Kent using x-ray guidance, it is a very safe procedure.
- 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 is always done in close coordination with your cardiologist. Dr. Kent will provide very specific instructions on when to stop and restart your medications to ensure the procedure is performed safely.
- What is a Spinal Cord Stimulator?
- A spinal cord stimulator is a small, implanted device that sends mild electrical signals to the spinal cord, much like a pacemaker for pain. These signals interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain, often replacing pain with a pleasant sensation or nothing at all. A temporary trial allows patients to experience the therapy before a permanent implant.
- What is Radiofrequency Ablation (or Neurotomy)?
- Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat to temporarily "turn off" a nerve causing pain. This technique can provide significant pain relief from arthritis for six months to over a year. It's a long-lasting solution for many patients.
- How is pain from cancer managed?
- Managing cancer-related pain is a critical part of your overall care and quality of life. Dr. Kent works closely with your oncologist to create a plan that can include carefully managed medications, advanced nerve blocks, or even implantable pain pumps to provide consistent relief while minimizing side effects.
- My osteoarthritis makes my knees (or back) so stiff and sore. What can a pain specialist do?
- Osteoarthritis is a very common cause of chronic pain, and while we can't reverse the arthritis, we can significantly reduce your pain. We offer treatments like joint injections with cortisone or viscosupplements, and for back pain, procedures like radiofrequency ablation. These aim to improve mobility and comfort.
1 Tampa General Cir # J402
Tampa FL 33606
Phone: (813) 844-7412
Dr. Robert Kent, 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): 1730407917
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. Robert Kent 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.