Patient Q&A · Dr. Andrew Dold · Frisco, TX

Patient Questions, Answered

Clear answers to the questions patients ask most about common sports medicine injuries and surgeries, including non-surgical options, what to expect from surgery, and recovery.

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Send us a question about knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, foot or ankle injuries and surgery. Dr. Dold reviews submitted questions and adds answers to this page to help other patients.

Not every question can be answered individually. For questions about your own care, call 469-850-0680. For an emergency, call 911.

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Knee

ACL Surgery: 50 Questions

ACL tears, deciding on surgery, graft choices, recovery milestones and returning to sport.

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Hip

Hip Replacement: 70 Questions

The anterior approach, AI-guided implant positioning, implants, anesthesia, recovery, dental antibiotics and long-term results.

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Knee

Knee Replacement: 62 Questions

ROSA robotic surgery, kinematic alignment, press-fit implants, outpatient surgery, recovery, golf and dental antibiotics.

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Hip

Hip Arthroscopy and FAI: 46 Questions

Hip impingement, labral tears, non-surgical care, post-free hip arthroscopy, recovery and return to sport.

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Shoulder

Rotator Cuff Repair: 43 Questions

Rotator cuff tears, diagnosis, non-surgical care, arthroscopic repair, REGENETEN, recovery and return to work, golf and sport.

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Shoulder

Shoulder Dislocation and Labral Tear: 38 Questions

Recurrence risk by age, sling vs surgery, Bankart repair, remplissage, Latarjet and return to sport.

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Knee

Meniscus Tears: 48 Questions

Meniscus tears, therapy vs surgery, meniscus repair vs trimming, root repair, transplant, recovery and return to sport.

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Knee

Meniscus Surgery: Trimming vs. Repair: 44 Questions

How the trim-or-repair decision is made, the day of surgery, recovery side by side, success rates, degenerative tears after 40 and risks.

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Knee

Kneecap Dislocation and MPFL Reconstruction: 37 Questions

Risk of it happening again, trochlear dysplasia and TT-TG, MPFL reconstruction, tibial tubercle osteotomy and growing teens.

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Knee

Knee Cartilage Repair and Osteotomy: 39 Questions

Cartilage defects and OCD, microfracture, OATS, allograft, MACI, Agili-C, and HTO, DFO and TTO osteotomy.

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Foot & Ankle

Achilles Tendon Rupture: 48 Questions

Surgery vs non-surgical care, accelerated rehabilitation, minimally invasive repair, PRP and return to sport, from Dr. Dold’s JAAOS review.

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Biologics

PRP and Biologic Injections: 35 Questions

What PRP and BMAC can and cannot do, the evidence by condition, FDA status, cost and insurance.

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Insurance & Scheduling

Surgery Scheduling and Insurance: 48 Questions

HMO vs PPO, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximums, pre-authorization and paying for surgery, with worked examples.

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Type a word such as “driving,” “PRP” or “insurance,” or filter by body part. Each question links straight to Dr. Dold’s answer.

ACL Surgery Knee · 50 questions

  1. What is the ACL, and what does it do?
  2. How do ACL tears happen?
  3. What does a torn ACL feel like?
  4. Can I walk on a torn ACL?
  5. How is an ACL tear diagnosed? Do I need an MRI?
  6. What is a partial ACL tear, and does it need surgery?
  7. What other injuries happen with an ACL tear?
  8. Are women more likely to tear their ACL?
  9. Can a torn ACL heal on its own?
  10. Do I need surgery for a torn ACL?
  11. Who can be treated without surgery?
  12. What happens if I don’t fix a torn ACL?
  13. Can I play sports without an ACL?
  14. How soon after the injury should surgery be done?
  15. Am I too old for ACL reconstruction?
  16. How are ACL tears treated in kids and teens?
  17. Should I get a second opinion?
  18. What is ACL reconstruction?
  19. Is ACL reconstruction major surgery?
  20. Which graft is best: patellar tendon, quadriceps, hamstring or donor?
  21. What is the difference between ACL repair and ACL reconstruction?
  22. How long does ACL surgery take?
  23. What kind of anesthesia is used?
  24. Will I go home the same day?
  25. How painful is ACL surgery, and how is pain controlled?
  26. Can I see pictures of my surgery?
  27. How long does ACL recovery take?
  28. When can I walk without crutches?
  29. How long will I wear a brace?
  30. When can I drive?
  31. When can I go back to work or school?
  32. When does physical therapy start, and how long does it last?
  33. What are the most important exercises after ACL surgery?
  34. How should I sleep after ACL surgery?
  35. How long does the swelling last?
  36. Is it normal to have knee pain months after surgery?
  37. When can I run?
  38. When can I return to sports?
  39. What are the risks of ACL surgery?
  40. What warning signs should I call the office about?
  41. Can I re-tear my ACL? How common is it?
  42. How can I lower my risk of another ACL injury?
  43. Will I get arthritis after an ACL tear?
  44. Will my knee ever feel the same?
  45. Is it normal to feel down, or afraid of getting hurt again?
  46. Will screws or other hardware need to be removed?
  47. Does insurance cover ACL surgery?
  48. How much does ACL surgery cost?
  49. How should I prepare for surgery?
  50. How do I schedule a consultation or second opinion with Dr. Dold?

Meniscus Tears Knee · 48 questions

  1. What is the meniscus?
  2. Why does the meniscus matter so much?
  3. What is a meniscus tear?
  4. How does the meniscus get torn?
  5. How common are meniscus tears?
  6. What does a meniscus tear feel like?
  7. Can a torn meniscus heal on its own?
  8. What is a discoid meniscus?
  9. How is a meniscus tear diagnosed?
  10. Do I need an MRI?
  11. Can a meniscus tear be missed on MRI?
  12. Is a meniscus tear an emergency?
  13. Can a meniscus tear be treated without surgery?
  14. I am over 40 with a degenerative tear. Do I need surgery?
  15. When is surgery recommended for a degenerative tear?
  16. When is surgery recommended for a tear from an injury?
  17. Does a meniscus tear lead to arthritis?
  18. Do injections help a meniscus tear?
  19. What are the surgical options?
  20. Repair or trim: how is the decision made?
  21. Why not just remove the torn piece?
  22. How is the meniscus repaired?
  23. What is marrow venting?
  24. Are PRP or BMAC used during surgery?
  25. I also tore my ACL. What happens to the meniscus?
  26. Am I too old for a meniscus repair?
  27. What anesthesia is used?
  28. Is it outpatient surgery?
  29. Will I see what was done?
  30. What is a meniscus root tear?
  31. Why are root tears important?
  32. How is a root tear repaired?
  33. How well does root repair work?
  34. What is a meniscal allograft transplant?
  35. What is recovery like after a partial meniscectomy (trimming)?
  36. What is recovery like after a meniscus repair?
  37. Why do I need crutches for so long after a repair?
  38. What about recovery after a root repair?
  39. When does physical therapy start?
  40. When can I return to sports after a repair?
  41. How do I manage pain and swelling?
  42. What is the success rate of meniscus repair?
  43. What is the success rate of partial meniscectomy?
  44. What are the risks of surgery?
  45. What warning signs should I call the office about?
  46. Does insurance cover meniscus surgery?
  47. How should I prepare for surgery?
  48. How do I schedule a consultation or second opinion?

Meniscus Surgery: Trim vs. Repair Knee · 44 questions

  1. What are the two main surgeries for a torn meniscus?
  2. Why not always repair the meniscus?
  3. Which tears can be repaired?
  4. What do “red-red” and “red-white” zones mean?
  5. Does my age decide whether I can have a repair?
  6. How does my activity level affect the choice?
  7. I also tore my ACL. Does that change things?
  8. Why does saving the meniscus matter so much?
  9. Will I know before surgery whether I am getting a trim or a repair?
  10. What kind of anesthesia is used?
  11. How long does the surgery take?
  12. Will I go home the same day?
  13. What will the incisions look like?
  14. How do I care for the dressing?
  15. What should the first 48 hours look like?
  16. Will I see what was done?
  17. How does recovery compare after trimming and after repair?
  18. Why are the rules so much stricter after a repair?
  19. Is progress based on time or on how my knee is doing?
  20. When can I drive?
  21. When can I go back to work?
  22. When can I run and play sports again?
  23. What can I do to recover well?
  24. How often does a meniscus repair heal?
  25. Can a repair fail years later?
  26. Is a second surgery more likely after a repair than after a trim?
  27. What happens if my repair fails?
  28. How well does trimming work for a tear from an injury, compared with a worn-out tear?
  29. What is a degenerative meniscus tear?
  30. Did a sham-surgery trial really show that trimming did not help?
  31. What did the trials comparing surgery with physical therapy find?
  32. So what do guidelines recommend for degenerative tears?
  33. Who might still benefit from surgery?
  34. How safe is knee arthroscopy?
  35. What is the risk of a blood clot?
  36. What about infection and stiffness?
  37. When should I call the office?
  38. When should I go to the emergency room?
  39. Does insurance cover meniscus surgery?
  40. How much time should I plan to take off?
  41. How should I prepare for surgery?
  42. Should I get a second opinion?
  43. Can I wait and try therapy first?
  44. Where can I learn more about meniscus tears and repair?

Kneecap Dislocation & MPFL Knee · 37 questions

  1. What is a kneecap dislocation?
  2. What is patellar instability?
  3. What is the MPFL?
  4. Who gets kneecap dislocations?
  5. What does a kneecap dislocation feel like?
  6. Can a dislocation damage the cartilage?
  7. Will my kneecap dislocate again?
  8. What is trochlear dysplasia?
  9. What is patella alta?
  10. What does TT-TG mean?
  11. Are there other risk factors?
  12. How does Dr. Dold evaluate an unstable kneecap?
  13. Do I need an MRI?
  14. How is a first-time dislocation usually treated?
  15. Is surgery better than therapy after a first dislocation?
  16. When is surgery recommended after a first dislocation?
  17. Does a knee brace or tape help?
  18. What does physical therapy focus on?
  19. What is MPFL reconstruction?
  20. How well does MPFL reconstruction work?
  21. What is a tibial tubercle osteotomy?
  22. When is a tibial tubercle osteotomy added to MPFL reconstruction?
  23. What about a very shallow groove (trochleoplasty)?
  24. What if the cartilage is damaged?
  25. What are the risks of surgery?
  26. What is recovery like after MPFL reconstruction?
  27. When can I return to sports after MPFL reconstruction?
  28. When can I drive?
  29. When can I go back to school or work?
  30. Can my kneecap dislocate again after surgery?
  31. Is kneecap instability different in children and teens?
  32. Can MPFL reconstruction be done if my child is still growing?
  33. Can a tibial tubercle osteotomy be done in a growing child?
  34. What else should parents know?
  35. When should I call the doctor after surgery?
  36. How soon can I be seen?
  37. Do you accept my insurance?

Knee Cartilage Repair & Osteotomy Knee · 39 questions

  1. What is articular cartilage?
  2. What is a cartilage defect?
  3. How is a cartilage defect different from arthritis?
  4. What is osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)?
  5. Who gets OCD?
  6. What are the symptoms of a cartilage defect or OCD?
  7. How are cartilage defects diagnosed?
  8. Can OCD heal without surgery?
  9. Can a cartilage defect in an adult heal on its own?
  10. Can injections like PRP or “stem cells” regrow cartilage?
  11. What are the surgical options for a cartilage defect?
  12. How is OCD treated with surgery?
  13. What is microfracture?
  14. What is OATS (osteochondral autograft transfer)?
  15. What is an osteochondral allograft?
  16. What is MACI (cartilage cell implantation)?
  17. What is the CartiHeal Agili-C implant?
  18. What did the Agili-C trial show?
  19. Who is not a candidate for Agili-C?
  20. Why might a meniscus or ligament also need treatment?
  21. What is a knee osteotomy?
  22. What is a high tibial osteotomy (HTO)?
  23. What is a distal femoral osteotomy (DFO)?
  24. What is a tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO)?
  25. Why would I need an osteotomy with cartilage repair?
  26. Who is a good candidate for osteotomy?
  27. Is osteotomy better than knee replacement?
  28. What are the risks of osteotomy?
  29. How long will I be on crutches?
  30. When can I return to sports after cartilage repair?
  31. When can I return to activity after an osteotomy?
  32. When can I drive?
  33. When can I go back to work?
  34. Will physical therapy be part of recovery?
  35. Am I too old for cartilage repair?
  36. Does my weight matter?
  37. Does insurance cover cartilage repair and osteotomy?
  38. Do you accept my insurance?
  39. When should I call the doctor after surgery?

Knee Replacement Knee · 62 questions

  1. What is a total knee replacement?
  2. How do I know it’s time for a knee replacement?
  3. What can I try before surgery?
  4. Am I too young or too old?
  5. Does my weight matter?
  6. Do diabetes and smoking affect surgery?
  7. Total or partial knee replacement?
  8. Can both knees be replaced at the same time?
  9. Should I get a second opinion?
  10. What is ROSA robotic knee replacement?
  11. Does the robot do the surgery?
  12. What are the advantages of robotic knee replacement?
  13. Will robotic surgery make my recovery faster or my knee better?
  14. What is kinematic versus mechanical alignment?
  15. Will my leg be straight after surgery?
  16. How long does the surgery take?
  17. How long is the incision?
  18. What implant does Dr. Dold use?
  19. What does medial congruent mean?
  20. Cemented or cementless: which is better?
  21. Will you replace my kneecap?
  22. I have a metal allergy. Can I have a knee replacement?
  23. How long does a knee replacement last?
  24. Will my implant set off airport metal detectors?
  25. Will I have spinal or general anesthesia?
  26. Can knee replacement be done as an outpatient?
  27. How is pain controlled?
  28. Do you use a tourniquet?
  29. Will I need a blood transfusion?
  30. Will I get antibiotics around the time of surgery?
  31. Will I need blood thinners?
  32. When will I walk after surgery?
  33. How long will I need a walker or cane?
  34. Do I need physical therapy, and for how long?
  35. How much will my knee bend?
  36. What if my knee gets stiff?
  37. How long do pain and swelling last?
  38. Why is the skin next to my incision numb?
  39. When can I drive?
  40. When can I go back to work?
  41. When can I shower?
  42. When can I fly?
  43. How long does full recovery take?
  44. How often will I see Dr. Dold after surgery?
  45. When can I exercise?
  46. When can I return to golf?
  47. Can I play tennis or pickleball, bike or swim?
  48. Can I run after a knee replacement?
  49. Can I kneel?
  50. Will I be able to do everything I could before?
  51. How satisfied are patients after knee replacement?
  52. What are the risks of knee replacement?
  53. How common is infection?
  54. What warning signs should I call the office about?
  55. Will I ever need another surgery on this knee?
  56. Do I need antibiotics before dental cleanings?
  57. What about fillings, extractions or other invasive dental procedures?
  58. How long should I wait after surgery before dental work?
  59. Should I see my dentist before surgery?
  60. Does insurance cover knee replacement?
  61. How should I prepare for surgery?
  62. How do I schedule a consultation or second opinion with Dr. Dold?

Hip Replacement Hip · 70 questions

  1. What is a total hip replacement?
  2. How do I know it’s time for a hip replacement?
  3. What can I try before surgery?
  4. What happens if I wait?
  5. Am I too young or too old for a hip replacement?
  6. Do weight, diabetes or smoking affect surgery?
  7. Is hip arthroscopy an option instead?
  8. Can both hips be replaced at the same time?
  9. Should I get a second opinion?
  10. What are the different approaches to hip replacement?
  11. What is the direct anterior approach?
  12. What are the advantages of the anterior approach?
  13. Is anterior hip replacement better than posterior?
  14. What are the downsides of the anterior approach?
  15. Is everyone a candidate for the anterior approach?
  16. How long is the incision?
  17. What is the Hana table?
  18. How does AI help during my hip replacement?
  19. How do you make sure my legs are the same length?
  20. How long does the surgery take?
  21. What is a hip implant made of?
  22. Cemented or cementless: which will I get?
  23. Ceramic or metal: which ball is better?
  24. What is highly cross-linked polyethylene?
  25. Does the size of the ball matter?
  26. I have a metal or nickel allergy. Can I have a hip replacement?
  27. How long does a hip replacement last?
  28. Will my implant set off airport metal detectors?
  29. Will I have spinal or general anesthesia?
  30. Can hip replacement be done as an outpatient?
  31. Where is the surgery done?
  32. How painful is hip replacement, and how is pain controlled?
  33. Will I need a blood transfusion?
  34. Will I get antibiotics around the time of surgery?
  35. Do I need to take antibiotics at home after surgery?
  36. Will I need blood thinners?
  37. When will I walk after surgery?
  38. How long will I need a walker or cane?
  39. Do I need physical therapy?
  40. Can I climb stairs when I get home?
  41. When can I drive?
  42. When can I go back to work?
  43. Will I have hip precautions?
  44. When can I sleep on my side?
  45. When can I shower, and how is my incision closed?
  46. Will my leg feel longer?
  47. Why is the outside of my thigh numb?
  48. When can I fly?
  49. When can I have sex?
  50. How often will I see Dr. Dold after surgery?
  51. How long does full recovery take?
  52. When can I exercise, golf, swim or bike?
  53. Can I run after a hip replacement?
  54. Are there sports I should avoid?
  55. Will being active wear out my hip faster?
  56. Can I kneel?
  57. What are the risks of hip replacement?
  58. How common is infection?
  59. How is infection prevented?
  60. What is a dislocation, and how likely is it?
  61. What raises the risk of dislocation?
  62. What warning signs should I call the office about?
  63. Will I ever need another surgery on this hip?
  64. Do I need antibiotics before dental cleanings?
  65. What about fillings, extractions or other invasive dental procedures?
  66. How long should I wait after surgery before dental work?
  67. Should I see my dentist before surgery?
  68. Does insurance cover hip replacement?
  69. How should I prepare for surgery?
  70. How do I schedule a consultation or second opinion with Dr. Dold?

Hip Arthroscopy & FAI Hip · 46 questions

  1. What is femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)?
  2. What is a hip labral tear?
  3. What causes FAI? Was I born with it?
  4. What does FAI or a labral tear feel like?
  5. Does everyone with an FAI shape need treatment?
  6. Will hip impingement go away on its own?
  7. Does FAI cause arthritis?
  8. Can FAI affect both hips?
  9. How is FAI diagnosed?
  10. Do I need an MRI or an MR arthrogram?
  11. Why might I need a diagnostic injection?
  12. Could my pain be coming from something else?
  13. What is borderline hip dysplasia, and does it change my treatment?
  14. Can FAI or a labral tear be treated without surgery?
  15. What physical therapy works best?
  16. Do steroid injections help?
  17. Is PRP an option?
  18. Is surgery better than physical therapy?
  19. When is it time to consider surgery?
  20. What is hip arthroscopy?
  21. What does Dr. Dold do during surgery?
  22. What is post-free distraction?
  23. Will my labrum be repaired or removed?
  24. Why close the capsule?
  25. What anesthesia is used?
  26. How long does surgery take, and will I go home the same day?
  27. Are PRP or BMAC used during surgery?
  28. Why do I take an anti-inflammatory after surgery?
  29. Am I too old for hip arthroscopy?
  30. Is hip arthroscopy safe for teenagers and athletes?
  31. How painful is recovery?
  32. How long will I be on crutches?
  33. Will I wear a brace?
  34. When does physical therapy start?
  35. When can I drive?
  36. When can I go back to work or school?
  37. When can I run?
  38. When can I return to sports?
  39. How long until I feel back to normal?
  40. How successful is hip arthroscopy for FAI?
  41. What are the risks?
  42. Can my symptoms come back or require more surgery?
  43. What warning signs should I call the office about?
  44. Does insurance cover hip arthroscopy?
  45. How should I prepare for surgery?
  46. How do I schedule a consultation or second opinion?

Rotator Cuff Shoulder · 43 questions

  1. What is the rotator cuff?
  2. What is a rotator cuff tear?
  3. What causes rotator cuff tears?
  4. How common are rotator cuff tears?
  5. What does a rotator cuff tear feel like?
  6. Will a torn rotator cuff heal on its own?
  7. What happens if a tear goes untreated?
  8. How is a rotator cuff tear diagnosed?
  9. Do I need an MRI or an ultrasound?
  10. Can a rotator cuff tear be treated without surgery?
  11. Do steroid injections help?
  12. Is surgery better than physical therapy?
  13. When is surgery recommended?
  14. Should a tear from an injury be repaired quickly?
  15. Am I too old for rotator cuff repair?
  16. How is the tendon repaired?
  17. What implants are used?
  18. What is the REGENETEN implant?
  19. Are PRP or BMAC used during surgery?
  20. Will you treat my biceps tendon?
  21. Will you shave the bone spur (acromioplasty)?
  22. What if my tear is too big to repair?
  23. What anesthesia is used?
  24. Will I go home the same day?
  25. Why can rotator cuff surgery be painful, and what happens when the block wears off?
  26. How long will I wear a sling?
  27. How do I sleep after surgery?
  28. When does physical therapy start?
  29. When can I drive?
  30. When can I go back to work?
  31. When can I lift, reach overhead or return to the gym?
  32. When can I play golf?
  33. When can I return to sports?
  34. How long does full recovery take?
  35. What is the success rate?
  36. Can the tendon re-tear?
  37. Does smoking or diabetes affect healing?
  38. Will my shoulder get stiff?
  39. What are the risks of surgery?
  40. What warning signs should I call the office about?
  41. Does insurance cover rotator cuff surgery?
  42. How should I prepare for surgery?
  43. How do I schedule a consultation or second opinion?

Shoulder Dislocation & Labral Tear Shoulder · 38 questions

  1. What is a shoulder dislocation?
  2. What is the difference between a dislocation and a subluxation?
  3. What is the labrum?
  4. What is a Bankart tear?
  5. What is a Hill-Sachs lesion?
  6. How do shoulder dislocations happen?
  7. Can a dislocation injure other parts of the shoulder?
  8. What are the chances my shoulder will dislocate again?
  9. Why does age matter so much?
  10. What else raises the risk of another dislocation?
  11. Does each dislocation cause more damage?
  12. What should I do right after my shoulder dislocates?
  13. How does Dr. Dold evaluate a dislocated shoulder?
  14. Do I need an MRI or a CT scan?
  15. Can a dislocated shoulder be treated without surgery?
  16. Is early surgery better than a sling after a first dislocation?
  17. Then why doesn’t everyone have surgery after a first dislocation?
  18. Can an in-season athlete finish the season?
  19. Does a special brace prevent future dislocations?
  20. What is an arthroscopic Bankart repair?
  21. What is remplissage?
  22. What is the Latarjet procedure?
  23. Why does bone loss matter?
  24. Is the Latarjet better than a Bankart repair?
  25. What are the risks of stabilization surgery?
  26. Will I get arthritis?
  27. How long will I wear a sling after surgery?
  28. What does rehabilitation look like?
  29. When can I drive?
  30. When can I go back to work or school?
  31. When can I return to sports?
  32. Can my shoulder dislocate again after surgery?
  33. What is posterior shoulder instability?
  34. What is a SLAP tear?
  35. What if my shoulder feels loose but never fully dislocated?
  36. When should I call the doctor after surgery?
  37. How soon can I be seen?
  38. Do you accept my insurance?

Achilles Tendon Rupture Foot & Ankle · 48 questions

  1. What is an Achilles tendon rupture?
  2. Who usually tears their Achilles?
  3. Why did my tendon tear?
  4. What does an Achilles rupture feel like?
  5. How is an Achilles rupture diagnosed?
  6. Can an Achilles rupture be missed?
  7. What happens if an Achilles rupture is not treated?
  8. Do I need surgery for an Achilles rupture?
  9. Why was surgery recommended for everyone in the past?
  10. What changed?
  11. What is the risk of re-rupture with each treatment?
  12. Is the research unanimous?
  13. Will I function as well without surgery?
  14. What is the Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS)?
  15. Are complications more common with surgery?
  16. Does surgery give a stronger calf?
  17. Who is a better candidate for surgery?
  18. How soon should surgery be done?
  19. What is accelerated functional rehabilitation?
  20. Do surgical and non-surgical patients follow the same protocol?
  21. Does accelerated rehabilitation lower the re-rupture risk?
  22. Why do I stay in the boot for at least 8 weeks?
  23. Does putting weight on the leg early help?
  24. Why does the boot have heel lifts?
  25. Can I take the boot off at night?
  26. What does Achilles surgery involve?
  27. What is open repair?
  28. What is minimally invasive (percutaneous) repair?
  29. Is minimally invasive repair as good as open repair?
  30. Which technique does Dr. Dold use?
  31. What is the sural nerve?
  32. What are the risks of surgery?
  33. What about a chronic or neglected rupture?
  34. Can PRP help an Achilles rupture heal?
  35. Does Dr. Dold use biologics for Achilles injuries?
  36. Can I take anti-inflammatories after PRP?
  37. When does physical therapy start?
  38. When can I return to a desk job?
  39. When can I drive?
  40. When will I be out of the boot?
  41. When can I run again?
  42. When can I return to sports?
  43. Do professional athletes return after an Achilles repair?
  44. Will my calf be smaller afterward?
  45. How is blood clot risk managed?
  46. What are the warning signs of a re-rupture?
  47. Can I re-rupture the other Achilles?
  48. How do I schedule a consultation?

PRP & Biologic Injections Biologics · 35 questions

  1. What is PRP?
  2. How is PRP made?
  3. What is the difference between leukocyte-rich and leukocyte-poor PRP?
  4. Is PRP the same as a “stem cell” injection?
  5. What does PRP actually do?
  6. Does PRP help knee arthritis?
  7. Are there studies showing PRP did not work for knee arthritis?
  8. Why do studies on PRP disagree?
  9. Does PRP regrow cartilage?
  10. Does PRP help tennis elbow?
  11. Does PRP help other tendon problems?
  12. Is PRP used during rotator cuff surgery?
  13. Can PRP be used for hip arthritis?
  14. What is BMAC?
  15. Does BMAC contain stem cells?
  16. Is BMAC better than PRP or a placebo?
  17. What about amniotic, umbilical cord or fat “stem cell” products?
  18. Can stem cell injections reverse arthritis?
  19. Is PRP FDA-approved?
  20. Does insurance cover PRP?
  21. How much does PRP cost?
  22. Can I use my HSA or FSA for PRP?
  23. Do you accept my insurance?
  24. What happens at a PRP injection visit?
  25. Does a PRP injection hurt?
  26. Do I need to stop anti-inflammatory medicines before and after PRP?
  27. What should I do after the injection?
  28. When will I notice a difference?
  29. How many PRP injections will I need?
  30. What are the risks of PRP?
  31. When is PRP not a good choice?
  32. Is PRP better than a cortisone shot?
  33. Can PRP help me avoid knee replacement?
  34. Can PRP be combined with physical therapy?
  35. When should I call the doctor after a PRP injection?

Surgery Scheduling and Insurance Insurance · 48 questions

  1. What insurance does Dr. Dold accept?
  2. What is an HMO?
  3. What is a PPO?
  4. What is an EPO?
  5. What is a POS plan?
  6. What is a high-deductible health plan (HDHP)?
  7. What is the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage?
  8. Does Medicare cover outpatient surgery?
  9. Does Dr. Dold accept Tricare?
  10. What if I do not have insurance?
  11. What is a premium?
  12. What is a deductible?
  13. What is a copay?
  14. What is coinsurance?
  15. What is the out-of-pocket maximum?
  16. What is the allowed amount?
  17. What does in-network and out-of-network mean?
  18. What is an Explanation of Benefits (EOB)?
  19. How do family deductibles work?
  20. When does my deductible reset?
  21. Example: a specialist visit with a copay
  22. Example: an MRI before you have met your deductible
  23. Example: outpatient surgery with a deductible and coinsurance
  24. Example: reaching your out-of-pocket maximum
  25. Example: Original Medicare
  26. Example: in-network versus out-of-network
  27. Does it matter when in the year I have surgery?
  28. Do I need a referral to see Dr. Dold?
  29. What is pre-authorization?
  30. Who handles pre-authorization for my surgery?
  31. How long does pre-authorization take?
  32. Does my MRI need pre-authorization?
  33. What happens if my insurance denies pre-authorization?
  34. Does pre-authorization expire?
  35. How is my surgery scheduled?
  36. Where will my surgery take place?
  37. How many bills will I receive for surgery?
  38. Can I get an estimate of my cost before surgery?
  39. Will I need to pay anything before surgery?
  40. Do I need medical clearance or tests before surgery?
  41. What if I need to reschedule or cancel my surgery?
  42. What if my insurance changes before surgery?
  43. Do you offer payment plans?
  44. Can I use my HSA or FSA card?
  45. What is a Good Faith Estimate?
  46. What protections do I have against surprise bills?
  47. Who do I call with a billing question?
  48. What should I bring to my first visit?

More topics are being added. Have a question that isn’t answered here? Send it to us, call 469-850-0680 or request an appointment. Walk-in visits are welcome Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30–10:30 am.

Medically reviewed by Andrew P. Dold, MD, FAOA, FAAOS, FACS, FRCSC. General information, not medical advice.

Ready to be seen? Request an appointment online or call 469-850-0680. Our staff will contact you by phone and text within an hour of your request (during business hours, Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm). Walk-in visits are welcome Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30–10:30 am at 6700 Dallas Parkway, Suite 100, Frisco, TX 75034. Same-day appointments available. Dr. Dold accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Tricare. Please call 469-850-0680 to confirm your coverage.