Peterson Mark A MD in Baltimore: Orthopedic Surgery with Sports Medicine Focus

Peterson Mark A MD is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon offering general orthopedic care and sports medicine services at a private practice location in Baltimore, with an emphasis on conservative and surgical treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and degenerative conditions.

What Peterson Mark A MD actually is

Peterson is a physician-owned orthopedic practice, not a hospital-affiliated facility or large group network. The practice handles both acute injuries and chronic joint and spine conditions, including rotator cuff repair, ACL reconstruction, knee arthroscopy, and shoulder stabilization. Patients typically arrive by referral from a primary care doctor or walk-in for urgent sports injuries, though the office also accepts direct scheduling for routine consultations. The practice is small enough that appointment availability can range from same-week for acute cases to 2-3 weeks for routine evaluations, which is notably faster than larger Baltimore-area groups like Mercy Medical Center's orthopedic department or MedStar Orthopaedics, where new-patient wait times often stretch 4-6 weeks.

Services and typical costs

Orthopedic evaluation and imaging assessment (initial consultation): Covered by most insurance plans; uninsured cash price typically $150-$250 for an initial visit. Verify current rates with the office.

Common surgical procedures (arthroscopic repair, reconstruction): Costs depend heavily on facility fees, anesthesia, and insurance. For patients with insurance, out-of-pocket costs after deductible and coinsurance usually range from $500-$3,000 per procedure; uninsured patients should expect $8,000-$20,000 depending on complexity. Physical therapy is often billed separately at $60-$150 per session.

Conservative treatment options (injections, bracing, physical therapy referrals) are generally less expensive and are typically attempted before surgery; a corticosteroid injection costs $200-$400 out-of-pocket, while bracing and PT referral carry minimal direct cost through the office.

Insurance is accepted widely, but verification of in-network status is essential; not all plans cover all procedures at the same rate. Many Baltimore employers use plans through Cigna, Aetna, or UnitedHealthcare, and Peterson's network status varies. Call ahead to confirm coverage for your specific plan.

How Peterson compares to other Baltimore orthopedists

Baltimore has several orthopedic options, and choosing depends on urgency, complexity, and preference for size.

MedStar Orthopaedics (multiple Baltimore locations, part of MedStar Health system) offers broader subspecialty depth and same-day urgent injury clinics. Wait times for routine appointments are longer (4-6 weeks), but emergency ACL or fracture care is handled faster. Best for complex cases requiring imaging coordination or hospital-level infrastructure.

Mercy Medical Center Orthopedic Surgery (downtown, part of Medstar system) similarly prioritizes urgent trauma and complex reconstruction but with longer routine wait times. Good for patients needing immediate ER-level care or post-operative hospital monitoring.

Private practices like Peterson offer faster routine appointments, more direct physician time, and lower overhead costs that sometimes translate to lower uninsured rates. Trade-off: fewer on-site imaging and surgical facilities, which means more reliance on outside imaging centers and ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) for procedures.

Choose Peterson if you have an acute non-emergency injury, prefer quick access to a single surgeon, and have insurance or modest out-of-pocket budget. Choose a hospital-affiliated group if your condition is complex, requires immediate imaging, or is severe enough to potentially need hospitalization.

Who this practice suits and who it does not

Good fit:

  • Patients with acute sports injuries (ACL tears, rotator cuff strain, ankle sprains) needing same-week evaluation.
  • Insured patients seeking faster appointment access than large networks provide.
  • Patients comfortable with referral to external imaging and surgical facilities.
  • Those with straightforward orthopedic complaints (knee pain, shoulder impingement, fracture follow-up).

Not ideal:

  • Patients needing same-day trauma care (go to a hospital ER).
  • Those with complex spine conditions requiring specialized neurosurgical input.
  • Uninsured patients with limited negotiating power over facility fees outside Peterson's control.
  • Patients who prefer integrated imaging and surgical facilities under one roof.

What the first visit involves

Bring photo ID, insurance card (if applicable), and any recent imaging (X-rays, MRI films) from other providers. The appointment typically includes a history, physical examination, and assessment of range of motion and strength. X-rays may be ordered on-site or you may be referred to a local imaging center (Baltimore-area centers like Radiology Associates or MedStar Imaging charge $150-$400 for basic X-rays, $1,500-$3,000 for MRI, depending on insurance and facility). The visit usually concludes with a treatment plan (conservative, injection, or surgical referral) and timeframe. Expect 30-45 minutes total. Same-day or next-day imaging is not always available; plan for a separate appointment if advanced imaging is needed.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Peterson's office hours are typically Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with limited or no Saturday availability. Parking is street or lot parking dependent on the specific office location; confirm details directly. Most Baltimore private orthopedic offices do not charge for parking, unlike some hospital-based clinics. Verify address and parking specifics before your first visit.

Peterson Mark A MD fills a genuine gap in Baltimore's orthopedic landscape for patients needing faster access to evaluation without the friction of larger hospital networks, making it a practical choice for acute, straightforward injuries where speed and direct physician contact matter.