Richard Stauffer, MD in Baltimore: Hand and Upper Extremity Orthopedics with Same-Day Urgent Care

Richard Stauffer, MD is an orthopedic surgeon in Baltimore who specializes in hand and upper extremity injuries, offering both routine surgical consultations and walk-in urgent care for acute injuries during extended clinic hours.

What Stauffer Actually Offers

Stauffer operates as an individual orthopedic practice focused on the hand, wrist, forearm, and shoulder rather than the full-body scope that large orthopedic groups cover. This narrow focus means deeper expertise in conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff tears, fractures, and tendon injuries, but not coverage for knee or hip problems. The practice accepts established patients for scheduled surgery consultations and also operates an urgent care component on weekdays, allowing people with acute hand injuries to walk in without an appointment.

Services and Pricing

Scheduled consultations for non-emergency conditions typically cost between $150 and $250 for the initial visit, depending on insurance and whether imaging is required at the appointment. Surgical procedures range widely: arthroscopic shoulder surgery runs $3,000 to $5,000 out-of-pocket after insurance, while more complex hand reconstruction can exceed $8,000. Walk-in urgent care visits for acute injuries cost $200 to $400 depending on treatment complexity. Most insurance plans are accepted, but verification of your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum before your visit matters, as upper extremity surgery often meets deductibles quickly. The office requests confirmation of current insurance coverage one business day before scheduled appointments.

How Stauffer Compares to Baltimore Orthopedic Options

Johns Hopkins Orthopedic Surgery and University of Maryland Medical Center Orthopedics both offer broader specialty coverage and emergency department access, but typical wait times for non-urgent consultations exceed four weeks, and initial visits cost $200 to $300. Mercy Medical Center has an orthopedic group with similar pricing but handles fewer complex hand cases. Stauffer's advantage lies in same-day urgent access for injuries that do not require a full ER visit; if you jam your finger at work on a Tuesday and need imaging and splinting that day, a walk-in slot is possible, whereas scheduling a consultation at a large system takes days to weeks. The tradeoff is that Stauffer has no ER backup if your injury requires advanced imaging or surgical intervention on the same day, so unstable fractures or severe lacerations should still go to Johns Hopkins or University of Maryland.

Who Fits and Who Does Not

This practice suits people with known hand or shoulder problems who want rapid specialist access, people with workplace or sports injuries during business hours, and established patients returning for follow-up. It does not suit patients needing multi-specialty evaluation (shoulder plus knee, for example), pediatric patients under 12 (the practice focuses on adult hands), or anyone without clear hand or upper extremity pathology. If your pain is referred from the cervical spine or you suspect systemic joint disease, a broader internal medicine or rheumatology screening may come first.

What the First Visit Involves

For a scheduled consultation, arrive 15 minutes early with insurance cards and any prior imaging on CD or in digital form. Stauffer or his physician assistant will perform range-of-motion testing, palpation, and special orthopedic tests (like the Phalen test for carpal tunnel); x-rays or ultrasound are often ordered in-office if not done recently. The visit typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes, including imaging interpretation. If surgery is a likely option, the clinician discusses timeline, alternatives, and recovery before scheduling. For walk-in urgent care, expect a 20 to 30-minute wait during peak hours (Tuesday through Thursday mornings); bring your insurance card and a list of medications.

Hours, Parking, and Logistics

The practice operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with urgent care slots reserved until 4 p.m. Confirm current hours by phone before visiting, as holiday schedules change seasonally. Street parking and a small adjacent lot are available; plan for 10 to 15 minutes if street parking is full. The office is not wheelchair-accessible on the ground floor; call ahead if mobility accommodation is needed. Insurance pre-authorization is required for surgical procedures; the office staff handles this request if given approval, typically completing it within two business days.

Richard Stauffer's practice fills a gap in Baltimore orthopedics by combining specialist expertise with accessible urgent care for hand injuries, making it valuable for people whose injuries need immediate attention but do not cross the ER threshold.