Frequently Asked Questions

A: To schedule or change an appointment, please call 315-685-7544. Please provide 24-hour notice by telephone if you are calling to cancel. If you call after normal business hours, please leave a message on our phone system.

Please note, any appointment not kept or cancelled/rescheduled with less than 24- hour notice is subject to a $25 fee ($50 for MRI appointments).

Our comprehensive appointments typically take between 1 to 1 1/2 hours for the total visit. Please plan accordingly.

Potential Wait Times – We value your time and will do everything we can to see you at your scheduled appointment time. However, comprehensive, personalized care doesn’t always follow definitive time schedules. Some situations may require more time than originally planned due the complexity or seriousness of the injury or condition. We appreciate your patience and understanding when this occurs.

A: Yes! Two days prior to your scheduled appointment, we will send you a friendly, automated reminder by email, text or phone call. The reminder will provide options to confirm (or reschedule) your appointment date and time.

We value your privacy and follow HIPAA regulations with respect to your medical information. In order to receive appointment reminders we will need you to sign an acknowledgement form indicating that you have reviewed and understand our privacy practices. The form provides a section for you to tell us how we may communicate your appointment information to you.

For your convenience, we offer multiple options to receive appointment reminders by email, text and phone or you can choose all three. You can also download a free appointment reminder app for both Apple and Android devices. This is especially helpful when there are multiple, recurring orthopedic or physical therapy appointments.

A: Our friendly appointment reminders will provide you with how many minutes you should arrive ahead of your appointment time. Typically, we ask that you arrive 15 to 20 minutes in advance of your appointment. However, if you are a new patient, you will need to allow 30 minutes for filling out forms.  You can save yourself time by printing and completing the new patient forms here.

A: Every month, you’ll receive a statement that lists what your insurance company still owes and what you owe. Statements continue until all payments are made.

A: One or more of the following may apply:

• The service you received was not covered under your plan.
• You did not provide the correct insurance information at the time of service.
• You were not covered by your plan at time of service.
• An authorization was not obtained prior to the services being rendered.

A: “Adjustment” refers to the portion of your bill that our office, your provider and your insurance company have agreed not to charge you.

A: You will need to provide us with complete primary insurance information. As a courtesy to our patients, Victory Sports Medicine submits bills to your insurance company and will do everything possible to advance your claim. However, it may become necessary for you to contact your insurance company or supply additional information to them for claims processing requirements or to expedite payment.

A: Co-payments and deductibles are not covered by your insurance and are your responsibility.  We expect all co-payments and deductibles to be paid at the time of service.  If you are uncertain as to the amount you will owe please contact one of billing specialists at 315-685-7814 or one of front desk representatives will help you during your appointment.

A: All bills are due upon receipt.  For your convenience, you can now pay your bill online with a credit card, click here.  If you have questions or need assistance please contact one of our billing specialists at 315-685-7814.

A: Yes, Victory Sports Medicine accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.  We also offer you the convenience to pay your bill online, click here.

A: Fulfilling record requests can take time, so plan ahead and don’t expect to receive your records the day you request them.  Once received, each medical record request requires personal attention.  Depending upon the amount of records, some requests can take up to 10 to 14 days.  However, our dedicated team of professionals makes every effort to process them sooner.

A: Yes, as per our financial policy, patients requesting copies of medical records will be charged $0.75 per page to offset some of our costs of performing this service.  There is also a $10 charge for CDs of X-Ray or MRI images.  These fees follow New York State guidelines and are subject to change.

A: No, due to the confidentiality of the records we are not able to fax them to you.  We can mail them to you or you can pick them up in person at our office.

A: The most common orthopedic surgeries are:

• arthroscopic surgery of the knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip and ankle;
• joint replacement surgery during which an arthritic or damaged joint is removed and replaced with an artificial joint;
• repair of soft tissue injuries, such as torn tendons or ligaments.

A: As with any surgery, risks include bleeding, infection, stiffness and nerve damage. Ask your surgeon what the risks are for your particular procedure.

A: Orthopaedic surgeons manage special problems of the musculoskeletal system. This involves:

• Diagnosis of your injury or disorder
• Treatment with medication, exercise, surgery or other treatment plans
• Rehabilitation by recommending exercises or physical therapy to restore movement, strength and function
• Prevention with information and treatment plans to prevent injury or slow the progression of diseases

While orthopaedic surgeons are familiar with all aspects of the musculoskeletal system, many orthopaedists specialize in certain areas, such as the foot and ankle, spine, hip or knee. They may also choose to focus on specific fields like pediatrics, trauma or sports medicine. Some orthopaedic surgeons may specialize in several areas.

Education and Training

Your orthopaedic surgeon is a medical doctor with extensive training in the proper diagnosis and treatment of injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Your orthopaedic surgeons completed up to 14 years of formal education.

• Four years of study in a college or university
• Four years of study in medical school
• Five years of study in orthopaedic residency at a major medical center
• One optional year of specialized education

Each year your orthopaedic surgeon spends many hours studying and attending continuing medical education courses to stay up-to-date in current orthopaedic knowledge and skills.

source: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons

Learn more about Dr. Marc Pietropaoli’s education and experience here.

A: Arthroscopic surgery is one of the most common orthopedic procedures performed today. Through the use of small
instruments and cameras, an orthopedic surgeon can visualize, diagnose, and treat problems within the joints.

One or more small incisions are made around the joint to be viewed. The surgeon inserts an instrument called an arthoscope
into the joint. The arthoscope contains a fiber optic light source and small television camera that allows the surgeon to view
the joint on a television monitor and diagnose the problem, determine the extent of injury, and make any necessary repairs.
Other instruments may be inserted to help view or repair the tissues inside the joint.

A: Total joint replacement is a surgical procedure in which parts of an arthritic or damaged joint are removed and replaced with a metal, plastic or ceramic device called a prosthesis. The prosthesis is designed to replicate the movement of a normal, healthy joint.

Knee and hip replacements are the most commonly performed joint replacements, but replacement surgery can be performed on other joints, as well, including the ankle, wrist, shoulder, and elbow.

A joint is where the ends of two or more bones meet. There are different types of joints within the body. For example, the knee is considered a “hinge” joint, because of its ability to bend and straighten like a hinged door. The hip and shoulder are “ball-and-socket” joints, in which the rounded end of one bone fits into a cup-shaped area of another bone.

A: Several conditions can cause joint pain and disability and lead patients to consider joint replacement surgery. In many cases, joint pain is caused by damage to the cartilage that lines the ends of the bones (articular cartilage)—either from arthritis, a fracture, or another condition.

If nonsurgical treatments like medications, physical therapy, and changes to your everyday activities do not relieve your pain and disability, we may recommend total joint replacement.

A: Every situation is different, however, some complications that can come from avoiding needed surgery are pain, loss of motion, weakness, numbness and an early onset of arthritis.

A: Every situation is different but in most cases we will recommend physical therapy after surgery.  In fact, we highly recommend physical therapy prior to some surgeries to help loosen and strengthen muscles around the injured area.  Physical therapy can help you regain motion and strength the injured area after surgery and often times leads to better post-surgical outcomes.  Physical therapy typically lasts between 2 to 6 months.

A: Every situation is different and depends on a number of factors including the type of procedure performed.  A return to daily activities can be anywhere from a few days to a few months. A full return to all activities, sports and exercise can take from four to six months for some surgeries. We advise you throughout your treatment and rehabilitation on your individual progress and ability to return daily activities.

A: MRI is a way of looking inside the body without x-rays.  The MRI exam uses radiowaves and a magnetic field to create digital images of the soft tissues of the body.

A: You will be asked to lay on a table and the technologist will position you comfortably.  The table will be slid sideways into the open magnet.  Only the extremity being imaged will be in the magnet opening, so your head and body will remain outside the magnet.  You will be asked to remain still during the MRI examination.

A: Most MRI exams take less than an hour to complete.

A: MR images look a lot like a conventional x-ray; however, they provide much more detailed information.  Your provide will review the images and the Radiologist report with you during your follow-up visit after the MRI exam.

A: You can eat, drink and take regularly-prescribed medications prior to the MRI exam.  If you will be having a leg exam, you can bring some shorts to wear.  If you are female and will be having an arm exam or an exam of an upper body part, we recommend that you wear or bring a tank top.

Prior to the MRI exam, you will be asked to remove your watch, credit cards, jewelry, keys, pocket knife, hearing aid, or any other metal objects before approaching the MRI machine.  The magnet could affect the items of this type and/or the items could affect the magnet.

A: Nothing! Just lie on the exam table and relax.  You will be free to read, listen to the music or sleep during the MRI exam.

A: No, there is no pain, vibration or unusual sensation.  The MRI will produce a mild tapping sound during the exam.  However, we provide your choice of music to listen to during the MRI exam.