Mark A. Brzezienski MD in Chattanooga: Orthopedic Surgery with Focus on Upper Extremity Reconstruction

Mark A. Brzezienski MD is an orthopedic surgeon in Chattanooga who specializes in upper extremity surgery, including shoulder, elbow, and hand conditions. He operates within Erlanger Health System's orthopedic department and serves both surgical and nonsurgical patients, with a particular emphasis on reconstruction and arthroscopic techniques for injuries that conservative treatment has not resolved.

What this practice actually does

Brzezienski operates as a surgical orthopedist within a hospital-based system rather than as a standalone private practice. This means patients typically access him through referral, though walk-in scheduling is sometimes available for established patients with urgent needs. His scope centers on upper extremity pathology: rotator cuff repair, shoulder labral reconstruction, elbow arthroscopy for impingement or loose bodies, and hand trauma or degenerative conditions. Unlike primary-care sports medicine clinics that manage mild sprains and muscle strains, his practice is positioned for cases where imaging (MRI or ultrasound) has identified structural damage requiring operative planning or where nonsurgical therapy has plateaued.

Services and what to expect cost-wise

Orthopedic surgery fees in Chattanooga range from $2,000 to $6,000 for a surgical consultation and diagnosis, depending on imaging and complexity. Actual surgical costs—rotator cuff repair, for example—typically fall between $8,000 and $18,000 out-of-pocket before insurance, with the final bill split between facility, surgeon, and anesthesia. Patients should confirm current fees with Erlanger's billing department, as surgical pricing adjusts periodically. Most commercial insurance plans and Medicare cover orthopedic surgery when medical necessity is documented; self-pay patients and those with high deductibles should ask about cash-pay discounts at the initial consultation.

Conservative treatment (injections, physical therapy, imaging) is usually attempted before surgery is recommended. A typical pathway begins with a referral, an office visit for history and examination, imaging review, and a discussion of operative versus continued nonsurgical management. If surgery is chosen, pre-operative clearance (blood work, anesthesia screening) follows, and the procedure is scheduled as an outpatient surgery at Erlanger's main surgical center.

How Brzezienski compares to other Chattanooga orthopedists

Chattanooga's orthopedic landscape includes both Erlanger-affiliated surgeons and surgeons within the TriStar/HCA network (Skyridge Medical Center and Parkridge Medical Center). Within Erlanger, Brzezienski is one of several upper extremity specialists; his particular reputation rests on arthroscopic and reconstruction cases rather than joint replacement, which differentiates him from colleagues whose practices emphasize hip and knee arthroplasty. Surgeons at TriStar facilities generally carry similar training and scope but may have different office hours, referral pathways, and imaging partnerships.

The practical choice between systems often comes down to insurance network inclusion and which hospital is closest to your home or workplace. Erlanger serves Medicaid patients more broadly than competing systems do; if you have Medicaid, verifying that your orthopedist is in-network is essential. TriStar surgeons may appeal if your insurance is HCA-affiliated or if you prefer a facility closer to East Brainerd or Hixson.

Who this practice suits and who it does not

Brzezienski is appropriate for patients with imaging-confirmed rotator cuff tears, labral damage, or complex elbow or hand trauma who have either failed conservative care or require urgent surgical evaluation. He is not the first call for a person with mild shoulder pain, acute ankle sprains, or chronic back pain without specific imaging findings; those patients benefit from sports medicine clinics or primary-care providers who can initiate physical therapy and imaging before escalating to surgery.

Patients requiring repeat surgery or revision procedures, or those with multiple upper extremity injuries, often see him for coordination of staged repairs. He is less suited to patients seeking primarily nonsurgical management; although he evaluates those patients, a sports medicine or physiatry practice may be more efficient if you want to avoid operative discussion from the outset.

What the first appointment involves

After your primary-care doctor or specialist initiates a referral, Erlanger's scheduling department typically contacts you within two to five business days. The first appointment itself lasts 30 to 45 minutes. You will repeat your injury history verbally, undergo focused physical examination (range of motion, strength, stability tests specific to the shoulder, elbow, or hand), and review any imaging you bring or have had performed elsewhere. Brzezienski will explain findings in plain language and outline a plan: continued nonsurgical care, a recommendation for surgery, or—if imaging is incomplete—an order for MRI or ultrasound before deciding.

Bring your insurance card, photo ID, a list of current medications, and any prior imaging on CD if it was done outside Erlanger. Ask during the visit whether physical therapy is recommended before surgery and whether your plan covers out-of-network therapists.

Hours, location, and parking logistics

Brzezienski's clinic operates within Erlanger's orthopedic department on the main Erlanger Health System campus (downtown Chattanooga, near the riverfront). Office hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with occasional surgical clinics; call Erlanger's orthopedic scheduling line to confirm your appointment time and whether a particular day involves surgery hours. Parking at the main campus is available in multiple lots; metered street parking is also available nearby and is usually less expensive than facility parking.

Surgery is performed at Erlanger's main surgical center, also on the downtown campus, with pre-operative check-in usually two hours before your scheduled time. Bring a driver; you cannot drive yourself home after anesthesia.

Brzezienski's focused expertise in upper extremity reconstruction and his affiliation with Erlanger's comprehensive surgical infrastructure make him a logical choice for patients with complex shoulder or elbow injury who need coordination between imaging, operative planning, and post-operative rehabilitation in one system.