Finding the Right Care
What conditions do you treat?
Our physicians focus primarily on knee, shoulder, hip, and sports related orthopaedic conditions.
Both Dr. Daniel Duggan and Dr. Sharoun Porat focus on sports medicine, joint replacements, and fracture care.
Our physicians do not treat every type of orthopaedic problem. If you are not sure whether we treat your particular condition, call our office and tell us what is bothering you. Our staff can ask a few questions and help determine whether one of our physicians may be appropriate for your care.
Do you treat fractures and orthopaedic trauma?
Our physicians treat certain fractures and traumatic orthopaedic injuries, but they do not treat every type of fracture or trauma.
If you have a fracture or an injury caused by a fall, accident, or other trauma, please call our office and tell us what part of the body was injured and what happened. Our staff can help determine whether your injury falls within the areas our physicians treat.
Which doctor should I see?
Dr. Daniel Duggan and Dr. Sharoun Porat both see patients for sports medicine, joint replacements, and fracture care.
You do not need to determine the right physician on your own. Call our office and tell us about your problem. Our staff can help determine which physician may be appropriate for your care.
Do I have to be an athlete to see a sports medicine physician?
No. Sports medicine is not only for competitive athletes. Our physicians care for active people with injuries and orthopaedic conditions that can interfere with exercise, work, hobbies, sports, and everyday activities.
The goal is to understand what is keeping you from the activities that are important to you and determine the appropriate treatment options.
Do you treat back or spine conditions?
Our physicians do not specialize in back or spine care, and spine surgery is not currently offered by the practice.
If your primary concern involves your back or spine, you will generally need a physician who specializes in that area.
Do you treat foot conditions?
Our physicians do not generally treat foot conditions, including plantar fasciitis.
If you are unsure whether your injury involves an area our physicians treat, call our office and describe the problem. Our staff can help determine whether one of our physicians may be appropriate for your care.
Do you treat hand and wrist conditions?
Some hand and wrist injuries fall outside the areas our physicians treat.
Because the appropriate physician depends on the specific injury or condition, please call our office and tell us what is going on. Our staff can help determine whether your problem falls within the areas our physicians treat.
Do you treat hip labral injuries?
Our physicians can evaluate a hip labral injury, but they do not perform surgery for this condition. If surgery is needed for a hip labral injury, you may be referred to another specialist.
Do you see children?
Our practice generally sees patients age 12 and older.
If the patient is younger than 12, please call our office and tell us about the injury. Our staff can speak with the physicians to determine whether the injury is appropriate for our practice. When necessary, we can provide information for a pediatric orthopaedic specialist.
Can I come to OC Sports & Orthopaedics for a second opinion?
Yes. Patients may contact our office about a second opinion for an orthopaedic condition within the areas our physicians treat.
When you call, tell our staff that you are seeking a second opinion and let us know about any previous evaluation, treatment, or imaging related to your condition.
Appointments and Your First Visit
How do I make an appointment?
Appointments are made by phone. Call our office and our staff will help determine the appropriate physician and location based on your needs.
How soon can I be seen?
Appointment availability varies by physician and location. Please call our office for current availability.
What should I have ready when I call?
Please have your insurance information and basic demographic information available.
If your medical group has approved an authorization, please have that information available as well. If you have already had an X ray, MRI, or other imaging for your current problem, let our staff know where it was performed.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Please bring your photo identification, insurance card, any required referral or authorization, relevant medical records, a current medication list, and any new patient forms you have been asked to complete.
If you have already had imaging related to your current problem, bring the actual images when possible, not only the written report.
What happens at my first appointment?
Your physician will talk with you about your symptoms or injury, perform an examination, and review appropriate imaging to better understand what may be causing your problem.
Your physician will then explain the diagnosis and discuss the treatment options that may be appropriate for your individual condition and circumstances.
Your first appointment does not commit you to surgery or any other particular treatment.
Are the doctors in the office every weekday?
Not necessarily. Our physicians divide their time between seeing patients in the office and performing surgery.
Office hours do not mean that each physician is available at every location throughout the day. Call our office for current physician availability and appointment times.
What if my injury may be an emergency?
Some injuries require emergency care rather than waiting for an office appointment. If you have a serious injury or severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, please review our emergency care guidance.
Insurance, Referrals, and Cost
Do you accept my insurance?
OC Sports & Orthopaedics participates with many insurance plans. Coverage and network participation can vary by individual plan. Please contact our office and/or your insurance carrier to verify benefits and network participation before your appointment.
Do I need a referral or authorization?
Whether you need a referral or prior authorization depends on your insurance plan. Some patients, particularly those with HMO plans, may need authorization from their primary care physician or medical group before seeing a specialist.
If you are unsure what your plan requires, contact your insurance carrier, primary care physician, medical group, or our office before your appointment.
Is a referral from the hospital the same as an insurance authorization?
Not necessarily. A referral from a hospital may not satisfy your insurance plan’s authorization requirements.
Depending on your plan, you may still need to contact your primary care physician or medical group to obtain authorization before seeing a specialist.
How much will my visit cost?
Your cost depends on your individual insurance coverage, including your deductible, copay, coinsurance, network status, and other plan requirements.
Our office can provide basic information when available, but your insurance carrier is the best source for information about your individual benefits and expected costs.
X Rays, MRIs, and Imaging
Do I need imaging for my appointment?
Imaging is needed in many situations because it gives your physician information that can be considered along with your symptoms and physical examination.
The appropriate imaging depends on your individual condition.
Why might I need an X ray?
An X ray can provide information about bones, joints, alignment, arthritis, fractures, and other possible causes of pain or limited movement.
Your physician considers the imaging together with your symptoms and physical examination to better understand what may be causing your problem.
Can the surgeon order an MRI before seeing me?
Our physicians generally need to evaluate you before determining whether an MRI is appropriate.
During your visit, your physician can examine the problem and review appropriate imaging. If an MRI is needed, the physician can then provide an order based on your individual condition.
Do I need an MRI before seeing an orthopaedic surgeon?
No. You do not need to obtain an MRI on your own before seeing one of our physicians.
Your physician will determine whether an MRI or other additional imaging is necessary after evaluating your condition.
I already had an X ray or MRI. Should I bring it?
Yes. Bring the actual images when possible, not only the written report.
Having your previous imaging available gives your physician important information about your condition and may help make your visit more efficient.
Treatment and Surgery
Does seeing an orthopaedic surgeon mean I will need surgery?
No.
Our physicians evaluate your condition before recommending treatment. Nonsurgical options may be considered when appropriate, and surgery is discussed when there is a clear reason it may help.
If surgery is recommended, your physician will explain why, discuss your options, and make sure you understand what to expect.
Are nonsurgical treatments available?
Yes. Not every orthopaedic problem requires surgery.
Depending on your condition, your physician may discuss nonsurgical treatment options when appropriate. The goal is to determine the treatment plan that best fits your diagnosis, circumstances, and goals.
How will my doctor decide whether surgery is appropriate?
Your physician will consider your symptoms, physical examination, appropriate imaging, diagnosis, previous treatment, individual circumstances, and goals before recommending a treatment plan.
If surgery is recommended, your physician will explain why and discuss the available options with you.
How long will recovery take if I need surgery?
Recovery depends on your condition, the procedure performed, and your individual circumstances.
If surgery becomes part of your treatment plan, your physician will discuss what you can expect from recovery based on your specific procedure and situation.
Will I need physical therapy?
Physical therapy may be part of treatment or recovery for some orthopaedic conditions, but it is not appropriate or necessary in every situation.
Your physician will discuss whether physical therapy is appropriate for your particular condition and treatment plan.
When can I return to work, exercise, or sports?
That depends on your condition, treatment, recovery, and the activities you want to return to.
Your physician will discuss when it may be appropriate for you to return to work, exercise, sports, or other activities.
About Our Physicians and Locations
Are your physicians board certified and fellowship trained?
Yes. Dr. Daniel Duggan and Dr. Sharoun Porat are board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons.
Will I see the physician directly?
Your care is led directly by Dr. Duggan or Dr. Porat. Your physician will evaluate your condition, explain your diagnosis, and discuss your treatment options with you.
Where do the physicians see patients?
OC Sports & Orthopaedics has locations in Mission Viejo, Anaheim, and San Juan Capistrano.
Dr. Daniel Duggan sees patients in Mission Viejo, Anaheim, and San Juan Capistrano.
Dr. Sharoun Porat sees patients in Mission Viejo and Anaheim.
Physician availability varies by location, so please call our office for current appointment availability.
How experienced are the physicians with my condition?
Dr. Duggan and Dr. Porat are board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons with experience treating conditions within their areas of practice.
If you have questions about a physician’s experience with your particular injury or condition, please ask our staff when you call or discuss it directly with your physician during your appointment.
Still Not Sure If We Can Help?
You do not need to know your exact diagnosis before calling.
Tell our staff what is bothering you, how the problem happened if you know, and whether you have already received treatment or imaging. Our team can ask a few questions and help determine whether one of our physicians may be appropriate for your care.