FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – OFFICE

  1. Do you accept new patients?

Yes. Please visit “Forms and Payment” section to view insurance coverage.

  1. How long can I expect to wait for an appointment?

While the wait varies based on availability, the average wait time to see the doctor is approximately 6 weeks. You have the option of scheduling an appointment earlier with Tara, the Physician Assistant for an initial evaluation/x-rays to become established in the practice. This will be followed by appt. with the doctor for further evaluation if needed.

  1. What is a Physician Assistant (PA)?

A Physician Assistant is a licensed healthcare professional who practices medicine under the supervision of a physician. As part of the physician/PA team, a physician assistant acts as an extender of the physician. While state laws vary, in general, a PA can provide approximately 80% of the services rendered by a physician. Responsibilities include history and physical exams, diagnosing conditions, development of treatment plans, ordering lab tests, preventative health care counseling, administering injections, and ability to treat patients when physician is away from the practice.

PAs also assist in surgery and provide pre/post operative instructions and education. In the state of Florida, PAs are authorized to write prescriptions with the exception of controlled substances/narcotics.

PAs are nationally certified upon graduating from an accredited PA education program and passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam. A PA must retake the board exam every 6 years and complete 100 hours of continuing medical education every 2 years.

For more information on Physician Assistants, visit the national academy website at

  1. Should I bring x-rays/MRIs done from another office or Emergency Room?

Yes. The more information you can provide related to your injury, the better. If you have the CD copy of your X-ray/MRI, please bring it to the office as the doctor can view it in the office on the computer.

  1. What if I have more than one problem?

We understand that you may be coming to the office for more than one injury/ailment. Due to the high volume of patients being seen each day, it is strongly enforced that each visit addresses only one injury/body part at a time. This not only speeds up yours and other patients wait times but also allows for a maximal experience/interaction with the doctor regarding that specific problem.

  1. Do I need to arrive early to fill out paperwork at my first visit?

While it is not mandatory, it is recommended to arrive early to fill out initial new patient forms. You may refer to the “Forms/Payment” section of this website to print out the new patient forms so that you may bring them to the office already filled out.

  1. What are Supartz injections?

You may have heard these referred to as “chicken shots” as their origin was coined from the comb of a rooster! Now synthetically made, these injections are used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. While it does not grow new cartilage, it acts as a lubricant to the joint itself and also plumps up the existing cartilage that you do have. This treatment is given over a 5 week period with one injection per week. The effect is maximized if all 5 weeks are consecutive although one week may be skipped if scheduling does not allow. Both knees may be injected at the same time if indicated! There are no major restrictions following the injection. They are administered in the office at 9:00am by either the physician or physician assistant.

  1. Should I be taking Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplements?

While it has not been proven to provide new cartilage to the joints, this supplement has been shown in studies to possibly reduce pain in patients suffering from osteoarthritis. Due to its relatively low side effects, patient who do experience relief from these supplements are encouraged to continue taking them. However, there are few long term studies related to the efficacy, dosing, and purity of this supplement which leaves much room for further research. You can read more about this topic and others under “FAQs/Patient Education” at the top and clicking on “Arthritis”.

  1. Does Dr. Loeffler treat spine problems/back pain?

No. Although the doctor is trained and proficient at diagnosing and treating back pain, this is not a condition he treats in the office on a regular basis. We would be happy to refer you to a back specialist who would be more suited to treat your needs and concerns.