Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Common Orthopedic Knee Surgery Costs in California by Howard Marans MD

Orthopedic knee surgery may be used to treat knee problems that do not respond to other treatments. If you have a condition that may require surgery, you may want to understand the potential costs so that you can plan for them. Below, we will take a look at what influences orthopedic knee surgery costs, as well as how insurance covers knee surgery.

There are two main types of knee surgery: open knee surgery and arthroscopic knee surgery. Open knee surgery is most commonly used to treat more extensive knee problems, such as total knee replacement for arthritis. Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive form of surgery that can be used to treat less extensive knee problems, like meniscus or ligament tears.

It is preferable to use arthroscopic knee surgery whenever possible. Arthroscopic surgery has lower risks and a shorter downtime, making it preferable from the patient's perspective. In addition, arthroscopic surgery usually costs less to perform than open knee surgery.

Each case is unique, and knee surgery can cost different amounts depending on the specifics surrounding an individual case. Some of the factors that influence orthopedic knee surgery costs include:

- How high the local cost of living is
- Whether or not open knee surgery is used
- Whether or not a hospital stay is required
- How long is takes to perform the surgery
- How many resources the surgery takes to perform
- What the individual surgeon's rates are

Insurance covers orthopedic knee surgery costs, because knee surgery is only used in cases where it is medically necessary. Insurance policies vary widely in the terms of their coverage, so that patients may have very different out-of-pocket costs depending on their coverage. If you have a high deductible that you have not yet met, you may pay for a large portion of the surgery on your own. If you have a low deductible or no deductible, you may pay very little out-of-pocket.

Thanks to insurance coverage and the widespread availability of patient financing, the majority of patient are able to afford their orthopedic knee surgery costs without issue. If you're out-of-pocket costs are too high for you to handle all at once, you can use financing to spread out the cost of treatment over a longer period of time. Some financing options include credit cards and third-party health care financing companies.


Dr. Howard Marans would be happy to meet with you about your knee health. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or call (714) 979-8981.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Dr Howard Marans: Tustin, California’s Top Rated Orthopedic Surgeon

A top orthopedic surgeon in Tustin will provide the best care to patient with a variety of orthopedic problems. By conducting a thorough search, a potential client can find the perfect match to fulfill all health care needs relating to the musculoskeletal system. The specialist will begin with an accurate diagnosis of the injury or illness. Begin by finding the right orthopedic surgeon to obtain optimal care for injuries.


Finding the right orthopedic surgeon will help the potential client return to normal, healthy daily activities.

- Ask for referrals from friends, family members and co-workers. A referral from peers can help in picking out the right orthopedic surgeon.
- Check online referrals and reviews. The Internet will have different sites for medical reviews. The sites can be local, state, or national to help in finding the right specialist. Top rated orthopedic surgeons will have higher reviews to help a potential patient make the right choice.
- Consult with a primary physician to obtain a list of potential orthopedic surgeons in the area. In some cases the primary physician’s office will utilize top rated orthopedic specialists for referrals.
- Health insurance companies may have specific in-network orthopedics to utilize. If a potential patient picks an orthopedic specialist out of the network, the out of pocket costs may be higher, creating a financial burden.


An orthopedic surgeon in Tustin will start by diagnosing the specific injuries. The specialist will begin with a consultation, medical history, and questions related to the symptoms.

- Where is the area causing the client pain? In the knee? Foot? Wrist? Each area will have specific needs to treat.
- Is the pain in the muscles or joints? Could the pain be the result of a degenerative disease?
- How long has the pain been occurring?
- Is the area swollen and bruised?
- Are there any signs of infection? Does the area feel warm to the touch?
- Is the pain due to a specific injury? A fall? Sports related?

After answering these kinds of questions fully, the orthopedic surgeon will follow up with a preliminary exam and recommend testing to accurately diagnose the problem.

Testing may include X-rays and a MRI. The testing will give the orthopedic surgeon accurate details of the cause of the pain. The tests will plan the course of treatment. Depending on the degree of injury or illness, the course of treatment will either be a non-surgical or surgical option. In most situations surgery is used as a last resort unless the injury requires resetting of broken bones or the repair of torn ligaments.


The top rated orthopedic surgeon in Tustin will help in relieving painful symptoms while getting back to normal daily activities as fast as possible. Dr. Howard Marans will work to reduce and eliminate pain with both non-surgical and surgical options. Dr. Marans’ office accepts PPO and is willing to work with other insurance companies to provide an optimal outcome for the patient. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Howard Marans MD: What Are The Best Surgery Options For MCL Tears


If you have an MCL tear, getting effective treatment is important for relieving symptoms and preventing further knee problems from developing. Sometimes, surgery is necessary. Below, we will look at surgery options for MCL tear, as well as your non-surgical options.


The knee has four ligaments that contribute to its stability and movement: ACL, PCL, LCL and MCL. The MCL, or medial cruciate ligament, may be torn after sudden twisting or trauma, as is common in certain sports. MCL tears are also more common in middle age.

MCL tears may be mild, moderate, or severe. Mild tears basically “stretch” the ligament but leave it intact. Moderate tears occur when the ligament is actually torn. Severe tears occur when the ligament is completely severed in two pieces. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and use medical imaging to determine how severe the tear is.


In cases where a tear is mild to moderate, it may be necessary to manage symptoms without surgery. This is an especially strong option for patients who are older and less active, because the risks may outweigh the benefits in such cases. Some of the most common non-surgical treatments include:

- Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)
- Physical therapy
- Medication
- Steroid injections directly into the knee


Surgery is often necessary for moderate to severe MCL tears, especially for patients who are more physically active. The goal of surgery is to repair the tear while minimizing the invasiveness of the procedure, a fact which should be taken into account when considering surgery options for MCL tear.

The two main surgery options for MCL tear are arthroscopic surgery and open knee surgery. Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive form of surgery that allows the doctor to operate without actually opening up the knee. It is preferable whenever possible, because it is associated with a shorter downtime and lower risks. In cases of very severe or complex tears, or MCL tears associated with other knee injuries, open knee surgery may be required sports-medicine-doctor-orange-county

Only a doctor can determine which treatment is best for your MCL tear. This will be determined by looking at your symptoms, your medical history, the severity of your tear, your overall health, your activity level, and how you have responded to any treatments that were used in the past.


If you are interested in learning more about your surgery options for MCL tear, Dr. Howard Marans would be happy to hear from you. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or call OC Orthopedic at (714) 979-8981.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Dr Howard Marans at Location and Hours



11190 Warner Ave. Suite #306
Fountain Valley, CA USA 92708
Get directions on Google »
Phone 714-979-8981
Fax 714-432-9988


Monday                     8:30am - 12:00pm
Tuesday                     on call
Wednesday               8:30am - 12:00pm
Thursday                   on call
Friday                                    8:30am - 12:00pm
Saturday                    on call
Sunday                       on call


Wednesday, October 7, 2015

ABOUT HOWARD J MARANS, MD

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 1993
Recertified, 2003
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, 1989

Pre-Medical Education
University of Toronto, Toronto Canada
1976/78

Masters Degree
University of Toronto, Toronto Canada
MSc, Orthopaedic Research 1983/85

Medical School
University of Toronto, Toronto Canada
MD 1978/82

Orthopaedic Residency
Gallie Surgical Program - University of Toronto, Toronto Canada
FRCS(C), Orthopaedic Surgery 1984/89


Knee/Shoulder Fellowship
Orthopaedic & Arthritic Hospital, Toronto Canada
Arthroscopic Surgery of the Knee & Shoulder 1989/90

Knee/Shoulder Fellowship
Sportsmed.SA & the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide South Australia
Sports Medicine/Arthroscopic Surgery 1990/91

Hospital
-         Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center | Fountain Valley, CA
-         Orange Coast Memorial Hospital | Fountain Valley, CA

Surgical Center
-         Newport Plaza Surgical Center | Costa Mesa, CA
-         Orange County Multi-Specialty Surgical Center | Tustin, CA

Society memberships
State Society Memberships
-         State Medical Society

Specialty Society Memberships
-         Arthroscopy Association of North America

Additional Society Memberships
-         Orange County Medical Association
-         Royal College of Surgeons of Canada

Achievements
J.C. Kennedy Award for Excellency in Sports Medicine

Excellence in Research Award (Sport Sciences) American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Community activities
I have provided volunteer medical assistance/coverage to several High Schools/Colleges over the past 19 years.

Presently I am the Team Physician for Orange Lutheran High School and Tustin High School. In the past I have taken care of Irvine and Northwood High Schools, Concordia University, and was a medical officer for the Special Olympics.


I continue to provide medical coverage at many Local, National, and International Cycling Events.