How long should I try conservative care before considering surgery?

It depends on the condition. A typical trial for many orthopedic problems is 6–12 weeks of appropriate treatment. Some conditions warrant earlier surgery; others benefit from longer non-operative care.

Do you offer aquatic rehabilitation?

We prescribe aquatic (hydrotherapy) rehab and coordinate with therapists who provide it. It's particularly useful for patients who need to unload joints during recovery. PLACEHOLDER — confirm current in-network aquatic providers.

How is PRP different from a cortisone shot?

Cortisone reduces inflammation quickly but doesn't heal tissue. PRP is a biological treatment intended to promote healing over weeks to months. They serve different purposes and can be complementary.

Care Approach

Non-Surgical & Conservative Orthopedic Care — San Diego

Name: North County Orthopedic Medical Group
Address: 8929 University Center Ln, Ste 100, San Diego, CA, 92122, US
Telephone: (858) 457-4040
Price range: $$

Non-surgical, conservative orthopedic care in San Diego — injections, PRP, bracing, PT, and aquatic rehab when it's the right answer.

Request Appointment (858) 457-4040

Overview

A closer look

Most orthopedic problems do not need surgery. Dr. Sidney H. Levine's practice is built on giving San Diego patients the right treatment — which is often the least invasive one that works. Non-surgical management includes accurate diagnosis, structured physical therapy, activity modification, bracing, well-chosen injections, and, where appropriate, PRP. Aquatic rehabilitation (hydrotherapy) is a valuable option for patients who need to unload joints during rehab. Whether you come in wanting to avoid surgery or wanting a second opinion on a surgical recommendation, you'll get honest guidance rooted in 30+ years of orthopedic experience.

Conditions we treat

What we see most often

Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and shoulder

Tendinopathies (rotator cuff, elbow, Achilles, patellar)

Chronic back and neck pain

Plantar fasciitis

Trigger finger and carpal tunnel (early)

Post-injury rehabilitation

Post-operative rehabilitation

Treatment options

Surgical and non-surgical care

Non-surgical options

Corticosteroid injections
Viscosupplementation (hyaluronic acid)
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections
Bracing and orthotics
Structured land-based physical therapy
Aquatic (hydrotherapy) rehab prescription
Activity modification and home exercise programs

Surgical options

Surgical opinion and coordination if non-surgical care fails

What to expect

Your first visit

Your visit starts with a real diagnosis — the wrong diagnosis is the most common reason conservative care fails. Once we know what we're treating, Dr. Levine builds a stepwise plan and sets a check-in point. If a step doesn't work, we move on rather than repeating the same thing indefinitely.

Recovery

What healing looks like

Non-surgical recovery timelines vary. Many patients improve within 4–12 weeks of a well-designed plan. Others require longer, particularly for chronic tendinopathies and arthritic joints. When a reasonable trial of conservative care has failed, we discuss surgical options — but only when they're likely to give a better result than continuing non-operative treatment.

Insurance & coverage