Refer a Patient to Dr. Ross Wodicka

Which sports medicine conditions warrant a referral to Dr. Wodicka?

Most sports-related soft tissue and joint injuries in active patients belong in this practice.

Dr. Wodicka's practice in Fort Lauderdale is built around sports medicine: ligament and meniscal injury, tendon and overuse conditions, cartilage injury, and instability that has not resolved with an initial course of rest, bracing, or physical therapy. His fellowship training at the Southern California Orthopaedic Institute (SCOI) concentrated on operative and non-operative management of exactly these presentations, which is why sports medicine referrals, rather than general orthopedic complaints, make up the core of his intake. Additional background on his training is on his physician profile.

Do I need to complete conservative treatment before referring?

Not always. A completed course of conservative care strengthens the referral and speeds evaluation, but it is not a prerequisite.

Send the patient at the point a diagnosis is uncertain, an exam finding suggests a structural injury, or the patient's activity level makes early surgical consultation reasonable, even before conservative treatment is finished.

What should I send with the referral?

Send the visit note documenting your exam findings, any imaging already obtained, and a summary of treatment tried so far.

Imaging is useful when available but is not a requirement for scheduling; Dr. Wodicka will order additional imaging directly where the existing studies do not answer the clinical question.

Will I receive a note back after the visit?

Yes. A consult note covering exam findings, imaging review, and the treatment plan goes back to the referring provider after each visit, so the patient's ongoing care stays coordinated between practices.

Are there conditions I should send elsewhere instead?

Yes. Primary joint reconstruction in a non-athletic degenerative context and pediatric orthopedic conditions fall outside a sports medicine scope and are better served by a joint reconstruction or pediatric orthopedic specialist.

Sending a case that is clearly outside this scope only slows the patient down; when in doubt, a brief call to the office before referral is the fastest path to the right specialist.

Is Dr. Wodicka accepting new referrals right now?

Yes, Dr. Wodicka is currently accepting new patient referrals.

For the full breakdown of urgency tiers and measurable referral criteria by condition, see the referral criteria guide for referring physicians.

This section is provided for clinical reference between practices and does not substitute for direct communication with our office about an individual patient.