Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about these medical topics in our health library.

Why does my child need a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon?

Pediatric orthopaedic surgeons are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of children’s musculoskeletal problems. This includes the spine, the extremities and all of the joints of the body.

Training for this specialty is rigorous. It includes four years of medical school followed by five years of concentrated study in the field of general orthopaedics followed by one additional year solely focused on pediatric orthopaedics. All of the physicians in our practice have completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopaedic surgery that was approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

Specialized training is crucial because children’s growing bodies often require treatment that is very different from the treatment of adults with the same diagnosis. Moreover, there are certain types of orthopaedic diseases and injuries that occur exclusively in children but not in adults.

In addition to possessing specialized anatomical knowledge, a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon also has a child-friendly “bedside manner” and an office environment that appeals to children and their families.
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What do I do if my child’s cast gets wet?

If the cast is slightly wet, you can safely dry it at home using a handheld hairdryer set on low heat or no heat. To prevent burns, be sure to keep the dryer several inches away from the body.

If the cast is soaking wet, do not attempt to dry it at home. Instead, please call our office to schedule a time to have the cast removed. If it is already after our normal business hours when the cast becomes wet, we recommend that you take your child directly to an emergency room or urgent care center so that the cast can be removed and your child can be fitted with a temporary splint. If your child has had a surgery with an incision under the cast, or there has been tendon transfer surgery, please call the doctor on call to discuss the case before going to the ER.
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What do I do if my child has a fever after surgery?

A. It is not unusual for children to develop a fever during the first 24 or 48 hours following surgery. This is a common side effect of anesthesia.

If your child’s temperature exceeds 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit and persists longer than 48 hours after surgery, please call our office for advice. After business hours, our answering service will page one of our physicians, who will then return your call.
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I need to reschedule my appointment. What do I do?

Call (954) 986-6300, extension 29199.
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Can I print out any forms before my visit?

If you are a new patient, you can download the Patient Demographic Form here. Once you have completed this form, you may bring it with you to your first visit with us. Alternatively, you may also submit fill out a pre-registration form online.
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Where do I go if I am having surgery?

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.
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Where is Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital?

The hospital is located on the Memorial Regional Hospital campus, less than a quarter of a mile from our Hollywood office.
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Hospital Address
1000 Joe DiMaggio Drive
Hollywood, Florida 33021

Please note that the hospital’s street address may appear on some maps and Internet directories as 3501 Johnson Street, which is the street address for the Memorial Regional Hospital campus. Using this address will not negatively affect your search results.

Directions
From I-95: Exit at Hollywood Boulevard, heading west. Make a right (north) on 35th Avenue.
The hospital will be on the left, just past the intersection of Johnson Street.

From Florida’s Turnpike: Exit at Hollywood Boulevard, heading east. Make a left (north) on
35th Ave. The hospital will be on the left, just past the intersection of Johnson Street.
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Do I need a referral to see the doctors?

Please check with your health insurance carrier, as some plans require referrals before authorizing a visit to a specialist. If you are not enrolled in a health insurance plan, or if you intend to seek care outside your health insurance plan, then no referral is needed.
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I had a great experience. Where do I send a note?

Correspondence can be sent to us at:

Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital
1150 N. 35th Avenue
Suite 345
Hollywood, FL 33021

You can also send us an E-mail.
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Do any of the doctors have a subspecialty interest?

Yes. Dr. Jofe specializes in spinal deformities and bone tumors; Dr. Cohen specializes in sports medicine and scoliosis; Dr. McNerney specializes in limb deformities and cerebral palsy; and
Dr. Storer specializes in hip surgery and sports injuries. In addition to the subspecialties listed above, all four physicians specialize in pediatric trauma and infections.

The physicians are board-certified and have completed fellowships approved by ACGME, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Learn more about the physicians by reading their biographies.
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We are from out of town. Is there a place we can stay while our child is hospitalized?

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation operates the Conine Clubhouse, a “home away from home” for families with children who have come from out of town to receive inpatient treatment at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Rooms are available at the Clubhouse free-of- charge, based on availability. Learn more about the Conine Clubhouse.
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How do I obtain test results?

Call (954) 986-6300, extension 29132.
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