Lauren M. Sclafani, NP

I chose a career in nursing because I have always had a passion for medicine and helping others. I have a desire to continuously learn and found my calling in medicine, a field that is constantly evolving.

One of my first jobs was as a registered nurse working in an operating room, where I discovered that I loved orthopedics. The ability to help repair or replace something that was broken or injured was fascinating to me.

I later became a family nurse practitioner, which gave me the ability to treat patients of all ages. I have the autonomy to diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, implement treatment plans, and evaluate patients. I chose to work in orthopedics because of my desire to help patients who have acute or chronic injuries and ailments.

I care for people who have upper or lower extremity injuries related to sports or falls, chronic conditions such as degenerative joint disease, and spine conditions that cause neck or back pain that radiates to the arms or legs.

In-office procedures that I perform include joint injections to reduce pain and improve movement of the knee, hip, and shoulder in people who have tendinitis, bursitis, and similar conditions. I also use injections to manage trigger finger, a condition in which the finger gets stuck in a bent position. Other treatments I offer include the repositioning of dislocated joints and bracing, splinting, and casting of joints. I also perform joint aspiration, which is the removal of extra fluid from a joint using a needle and syringe.

I work with sports medicine and orthopedic specialists and spine surgeons to create personalized treatment plans. If someone requires a surgical procedure, such as a total knee replacement or shoulder or knee arthroscopy, I provide pre- and postoperative care that includes patient and caregiver education about what to expect from the procedure. I also remove surgical sutures and staples during postoperative follow-up visits and ensure people are healing properly.