General Practitioners

• Osteoporosis
• Arthritis
  Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s natural immune response wreaks havoc on the lining of the joints (called the synovial membrane), causing chronic inflammation and pain.
• Medical Weight Loss
  Before my surgery I gained weight because of inactivity. I could barely walk. My every day life was a struggle, full of pain. I was becoming a recluse. Now, I have been able to exercise and I lost 45 lbs. Because of the weight loss I am now taking 1/2 the medication I use to take for my diabetes. My endocrinologist told me 25 more lbs with proper diet and I will not need ANY more medication. Is that wonderful or what? You see doctor, because of my new knees, my life now snowballed into a wonderful new life, a new me. So when I say you gave me my life back I really mean it in so many ways. Your team at the Office: Michelle, your PA, the team at the hospital, all the dedicated people that work with you and around you are the utmost professionals. They put all my fears at ease. And took the best care of me. They really, really cared. Doctor you took your time with me and answered all my questions. Yes you are a great surgeon but you are so much MORE then that to us that need you. Thank you again for being you. God bless you.
• Primary Care
  Have a general physical examination – You should be evaluated by your primary care physician to assess overall health and identify any medical conditions that could interfere with surgery or recovery.
• Emergency Care
  For true emergencies, including life-threatening cases, always call 9-1-1 for help. If you have an emergency after office hours or on weekends, call the main office number and leave a message at the prompt for emergency messages; your call will be returned as soon as possible. If you find yourself in an emergency room, have the doctor attending to you contact the office to leave a message and Dr. Berkowitz will be contacted.
• Colonoscopy
  Before and during your joint replacement surgery, your doctor will take measures to reduce the risk of bacterial infection. You may be given a preventative antibiotic right before, and for a short time after, your surgery. Your doctor will also recommend that you take antibiotics before you have any invasive procedure or test (like a colonoscopy or dental work).
• Electrocardiogram
  Get laboratory tests – Your surgeon may prescribe blood tests, urine tests, an EKG or cardiogram, and chest X-ray to confirm you are fit for surgery. These tests should be performed within 14 days of the scheduled surgery in order to be acceptable.
• Pneumonia

Internists

• Urinary Tract Infection
  Watch for infection – your new joint is a foreign substance to your body. Germs from other infections can move to your new joint and cause infection. Call your family doctor immediately if you have any signs of infection, e.g., skin infection, urinary tract infection, abscessed teeth, etc. Early treatment is crucial.

Psychiatrists

• Depression

Endocrinologist

• Diabetes Care

Radiologist

• MRI
  Occasionally, additional tests may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. Laboratory testing of your blood, urine, or joint fluid can be helpful in identifying specific types of arthritis and in ruling out certain diseases. Specialized X-rays of the back can help confirm that hip pain isn’t being caused by a back problem. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or a bone scan may be needed to determine the condition of the bone and soft tissues of the affected joint.
• X-Rays
• Computed Tomography
  4 In order to diagnose you properly, your doctor will consider your symptoms and your medical history, examine your joint(s) and order one or more diagnostic tests. Your doctor may order blood work, X-rays, a CT scan or an MRI to get a clear view of your condition.

Surgeons

• General Surgery
  Broward Health Coral Springs is a 200-bed community hospital providing comprehensive general medical and surgical services to Broward County since 1987. Featuring more than 50 medical specialties, Broward Health Coral Springs is a leader in addressing the health and medical needs of the northwest Broward community.
• Orthopedics
  At University Orthopedics, we accept payments made in cash, check, and most major credit cards. Please note that you remain responsible for any copays, deductibles, and coinsurance per your insurance policy.
• Arthroscopy
  The treatment for osteoarthritis concentrates on preventing further joint damage. Lifestyle changes such as weight loss, joint strengthening exercises, and assistant devices (orthoses) are recommended. Physical therapy may also help restore joint movement. Your doctor may initially suggest acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to minimize pain. In later stages of the disease, several surgical options may need to be discussed. Arthroscopy, for example, entails using a camera to examine the joint and repair the cartilage at the joint surface. Arthrodesis involves the surgical fusion of the bony ends of the joint. Replacement with an artificial joint to maintain function is yet another surgical option. If you suspect that you have signs or symptoms of osteoarthritis or have risk factors for osteoarthritis, please see your doctor to discuss further evaluation and treatment.
• Wound Care
  After your joint replacement, your orthopaedic physician will likely give you specific instructions on movement, exercising and wound care. Most people are encouraged to stand, even walk, the day after surgery. Your doctor may provide you with a walker, cane or crutch. Depending on the joint replaced, and your overall health, your doctor may also prescribe a course of physical therapy, so that a trained healthcare provider can guide you through specific therapeutic movements. Joint replacement surgery has a 90% success rate across the board.
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
  Over the past 25 years, minimally invasive surgery has revolutionized many fields of medicine. Its key characteristic is that it uses specialized techniques and instrumentation that enable the physician to perform major surgery without a large incision. In this respect, MIS Hip Joint Replacement is indeed “minimally invasive,” requiring smaller incisions and potentially causing less trauma to the soft tissues than traditional techniques.
• Joint Replacement
  The University Orthopedic and Joint Replacement Center demonstrates its commitment to excellence by providing patients with state-of-the-art individualized care for their specific needs. As we treat both acute and chronic orthopedic concerns in both the hips and the knees, we dedicate ourselves to helping our patients achieve optimal wellness and enjoyment of life by encouraging a positive, proactive approach towards orthopedic health.
• Orthopedic Surgery
  Dr. Berkowitz has been in practice in Tamarac, Florida for over twenty years and has become a well-known and well-respected surgeon by colleagues in his field. He completed his orthopedic residency at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and his fellowship training in joint replacement surgery at the world-renowned Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles, California. He is a former Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, is currently board-certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons and the Florida Orthopedic Association. Dr. Berkowitz’s practice is dedicated solely to adult reconstructive surgery of the hip and knee with the majority of his patients coming from Broward, northern Miami-Dade and southern Palm Beach counties. He is also the Medical Director of Joint Replacement Surgery at University Hospital and Medical Center in Tamarac and operates Phoenix Clinical Research, a clinical research facility, which performs clinical trials on innovative treatments which keeps him at the forefront of the research on various conditions that affect his patients.
• Arthroscopy
• Hip Replacement
  After the surgery I was walking out to the hall from my hosptial bed. Within two weeks I was walking without the walker or cane. I had very little pain with the hip. Today six months later my friends cannot believe I had a hip replacement..
• Knee Replacement
  Dr. Berkowitz performs hundreds of procedures every year, consisting of total hip and knee replacement surgeries as well as complex revisions of failed or infected hip and knee replacements. He uses minimally invasive, computer-navigated, and robotic-assisted techniques in the operating room, all of which help to shorten hospital stays, lessen recovery time, and offer a reduction in pain for patients following surgery.
• Reconstructive Surgery

Physical Therapists

• Physical Therapy
  Your doctor may recommend that you reduce weight bearing on the affected joint. That may mean that you’ll be asked to use a crutch or limit your activities to permit your joint to heal while you’re under treatment. Your doctor may also recommend some range-of-motion exercises, or even prescribe a course of physical therapy so a trained therapist can guide you through specific movements. Some studies have shown that electrical stimulation (a painless, non-invasive therapy) may promote healthy new bone growth.
• Occupational Therapy
  On the first day after your surgery, you may get out of bed and begin physical and occupational therapy — typically for several brief sessions a day. These are first steps on your way to getting back into the routines of your life!
• Back Pain