Dr. Ricardo Vasquez-Duarte, MD

Dr. Ricardo Vasquez-Duarte, MD is a Sports Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at his clinic in Miami, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Your Sports Medicine physician is your primary partner in creating a long-term health plan, coordinating preventative screenings, and managing your overall wellness to keep you active and injury-free. He serves Individuals of all ages, from youth to senior athletes, and active people, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (305) 677-3541 to schedule.

Dr. Ricardo Vasquez-Duarte, MD is a sports medicine specialist in Miami, FL with over 15 years of experience in the medical field. He earned his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico / Medical Sciences Campus in 2006 and completed an internship at San Juan City Hospital in 2007. Following medical school, he undertook residency training in Sports Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine (2010), and further specialized with fellowship training in Overlook Medical Center (2011). He is Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation by the American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. With this extensive background, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families, affiliated with medical facilities such as Boca Raton Regional Hospital and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments, and offers consultations in Spanish.

Dr. Vasquez-Duarte's approach to care is deeply rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine. He creates a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He is committed to providing the highest standard of care, ensuring each patient receives personalized attention and a comprehensive plan tailored to their specific needs. He understands the importance of proactive health management, and strives to equip patients with the knowledge and tools necessary to prevent injuries and maintain optimal well-being.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Ricardo Vasquez-Duarte is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Ricardo Vasquez-Duarte can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Ricardo Vasquez-Duarte provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Lumbar Compression Fracture: Managing conditions like osteoporosis is crucial for preventing lumbar compression fractures, protecting your lower back from debilitating injury, and improving your long-term quality of life.
• Achilles Tendinitis: Preventing Achilles tendinitis involves understanding your risk factors, such as overuse or improper footwear, to avoid painful inflammation and potential long-term damage.
• Coccygeal Pain: Managing coccygeal pain effectively, through proper posture and supportive seating, helps prevent the development of chronic pain and potential complications.
• Herniated Disc: Even minor back pain could be an early sign of a herniated disc; prompt medical attention ensures timely intervention and prevents more severe complications.
• Hip Pointer: Managing a hip pointer effectively, including rest and ice, helps to reduce inflammation and pain, speeding up recovery and preventing lingering problems.
• Gait Abnormality: If your walking style has changed, it's crucial to seek assessment to find and manage the cause before it impacts your activity level.
• Brachial Plexus Palsy: Protecting your shoulders during contact sports can help prevent brachial plexus palsy, a serious nerve injury that can cause arm weakness or paralysis.
• Sprains and Strains (incl. Muscle Tear): Preventing sprains and strains starts with proper warm-ups and stretching to reduce your risk of muscle tears and other musculoskeletal injuries.
• Osteoarthritis of Knee: Osteoarthritis of the knee is a degenerative joint disease that can be managed through early detection and lifestyle modifications to prevent worsening pain and disability.
• Adhesive Capsulitis Shoulder: Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, can significantly limit your range of motion, but early detection and proactive physical therapy can prevent long-term stiffness and disability.
• Ankle and Foot Instability or Derangement: Early detection and management of ankle and foot instability are crucial for preventing further injury and ensuring optimal recovery and performance.
• Knee Ligament Tears: Preventing knee ligament tears starts with understanding your risk factors and taking steps to protect your joints through proper warm-up, conditioning, and appropriate activity levels.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Ricardo Vasquez-Duarte offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Joint Drainage: To ensure your joints remain healthy and mobile, consider joint drainage—it can help pinpoint the cause of your joint discomfort.
• Musculoskeletal Function Test: A musculoskeletal function test helps identify potential weaknesses or imbalances in your muscles and joints before they lead to injury.
• Myofascial Trigger Point Injection: Myofascial trigger point injections offer a targeted approach to address muscle pain, improving mobility and preventing further injury.
• Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection (PRP): PRP injections harness your body's natural healing power to promote faster recovery from musculoskeletal injuries, helping you get back to the activities you love sooner.
• Trigger Point Injection: As part of your proactive approach to musculoskeletal health, trigger point injections offer a precise treatment option for localized muscle pain and discomfort.
• Viscosupplementation With Hyaluronate: Viscosupplementation with hyaluronate is a proactive treatment that lubricates and cushions your joints, easing pain and improving mobility.
• Uni-Compartmental Knee Replacement: Don't let knee pain sideline you! A uni-compartmental knee replacement is a surgical solution to address severe knee osteoarthritis affecting only one compartment, restoring functionality and reducing pain.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Sports Medicine in Florida.

Dr. Ricardo Vasquez-Duarte is dedicated to partnering with Coaches and Athletic Trainers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Athlete's life:

• By proactively managing osteoporosis with a tailored exercise plan, a patient significantly reduced their risk of lumbar compression fractures, gaining confidence in their ability to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.
• By understanding their risk factors for Achilles tendinitis and following a personalized training plan, a runner proactively managed their symptoms and prevented future injury, allowing them to continue their sport without pain.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Sports Medicine care with Dr. Ricardo Vasquez-Duarte:

What is the difference between a Sports Medicine Physician and an Orthopedic Surgeon?

Sports Medicine Physicians, like Dr. Vasquez-Duarte, are often the first point of contact for diagnosing and treating sports injuries, focusing on non-surgical care. Orthopedic Surgeons are surgical specialists for the musculoskeletal system, and are consulted when surgery is needed. They work together as partners to provide the best possible care.

What's the difference between a sprain and a strain?

A sprain affects ligaments (bone to bone), while a strain affects muscles or tendons (muscle to bone).

What is arthroscopic surgery?

Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique using a small camera and instruments inserted through small incisions to repair joint damage. It offers less pain, faster recovery, and quicker return to activity compared to traditional open surgery.

How is osteoarthritis treated non-surgically?

Non-surgical osteoarthritis management focuses on strategies like modifying activities to reduce stress on joints, physical therapy to strengthen supporting muscles, weight management to decrease joint stress, and injections like cortisone or viscosupplementation. These are powerful ways to manage symptoms and prevent or delay the need for joint replacement surgery.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition caused by pressure on the median nerve at the wrist, often resulting in numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand. Early intervention with bracing and therapy is key to preventing the need for surgery.

When is a joint replacement surgery recommended?

Joint replacement surgery is considered when arthritis pain and stiffness significantly interfere with daily life, and other treatments have proven ineffective. This decision is made in partnership with your orthopedic surgeon to restore function and prevent a life limited by pain.

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy?

PRP therapy is a regenerative medicine technique where a concentrated amount of your own platelets is injected into the injured area. The goal is to use your body's natural growth factors to speed up healing of tendons, ligaments, and joints, offering a modern, non-surgical option for preventing chronic injury progression.

What is a stress fracture?

A stress fracture is a tiny crack in a bone, often caused by repetitive use or overuse. It differs from an acute fracture, which results from a single impact. Proper diagnosis and rest are essential to prevent the stress fracture from worsening.

9400 SW 137th Ave
Miami FL 33186
Phone: (305) 677-3541

Dr. Ricardo Vasquez-Duarte, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1114172673

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Sports Medicine like Dr. Ricardo Vasquez-Duarte are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your sports medicine about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.