Frequently Asked Questions

You can call (727) 547-4700 or request an appointment online. Dr. Dattilo sees patients at four Tampa Bay locations, and our team will help you find the most convenient one.

Not always. Many insurance plans let you schedule directly, but some — particularly HMO plans — do require a referral from your primary care doctor. It’s best to check with your plan, and our office can help you sort it out.

Dr. Dattilo’s practice accepts most major insurance plans. Because coverage varies, the surest way to confirm is to call our office at (727) 547-4700 with your plan details and we’ll verify your benefits.

At four locations across the Tampa Bay area — St. Petersburg, Largo, Palm Harbor, and Sarasota — open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. See addresses and phone numbers on the locations page.

Yes. Dr. Dattilo welcomes second opinions, including for patients who’ve been told they need revision surgery or aren’t sure about a recommendation they’ve received. Learn more on the revision and second opinion page.

Not necessarily. Dr. Dattilo doesn’t rush patients toward surgery — he explores nonsurgical options first, and recommends joint replacement only when it’s truly the better path for you.

Options include activity changes, weight management, physical therapy, non-opioid medications, and joint injections such as cortisone, viscosupplementation, and PRP. See the nonsurgical arthritis treatment page for details.

It may be time when your pain limits the activities you care about, disturbs your sleep, or no longer responds to nonsurgical care. Dr. Dattilo will give you an honest assessment of where you stand and what your options are.

The anterior (front) approach is a muscle-sparing technique that works between muscles rather than cutting through them, which can mean a quicker, more comfortable recovery. Learn more on the anterior hip replacement page.

Yes. Dr. Dattilo is certified on all of the current major robotic platforms and uses robotic and computer-assisted technology for both hip and knee replacement. Because he isn’t tied to one system, he chooses the technology best suited to your procedure.

Often, yes. Many of Dr. Dattilo’s hip and knee replacements are performed as same-day, outpatient procedures at the SmartCare surgical center in Palm Harbor, so you recover at home the same day.

Dr. Dattilo has particular expertise in revision joint replacement — diagnosing and fixing replacements that have worn, loosened, become infected, or simply never felt right.

The goal is to keep you genuinely comfortable. Dr. Dattilo uses a multimodal, narcotic-free approach that combines several non-opioid methods, and most patients are surprised how manageable their pain is.

Many patients need little or no narcotic medication after surgery with Dr. Dattilo’s multimodal approach — an area he has researched and published on. Some patients still use a small amount briefly, and that’s okay; the aim is to minimize narcotics, not withhold appropriate relief.

Most patients are up and walking the same day, off a walker within a few days, and back to many everyday activities within weeks. Your exact timeline depends on your procedure and your health, and your care team will give you a plan tailored to you.

It varies with the procedure, which side was operated on, and the kind of work you do — for many patients it’s a matter of a few weeks. Dr. Dattilo’s team will give you specific guidance based on your recovery.