What To Expect During Your First Orthopedic Appointment

When you have an orthopedic appointment soon, you might be feeling anxious. You may have heard all the horror stories about what may happen. Truth be told, much of this is just myths and hearsay, although there are some things that you need to be aware of. 

If you don’t know what to expect, this read is for you.

Take An Educated Approach To Your Visit

If your pain or injury is not responding to rest and over-the-counter meds, you should visit qualified orthopedic physicians. However, you want to be sure that your appointment is productive. First, you need to educate yourself on what orthopedics is. There are tons of information you can find on the Internet, and it’s important that you know. Ensure that you get this information from reputable sites to avoid getting wrong details about orthopedics. This way, you will know what questions to ask and if your doctor is really qualified to treat you.

Be Prepared For The Examination

When it comes time for the physical examination, you need to be prepared. After all, an orthopedic physician won’t be able to properly diagnose you without knowing your anatomy and taking into account what issues you might have. Also, ensure that you dress comfortably and wear any brace you might have.

Some people forget to bring important information with them, such as MRIs or x-rays. If you haven’t seen a specialist in the past, be sure to pick up these documents beforehand and take them along. You should also ask your primary care doctor for a referral letter that will give your physician a heads-up before you arrive.

Prepare Your Medical History 

It’s important to have all of the right information about yourself so that your doctor can determine what went wrong with your ankle, knee, back, hand, or shoulder. Ensure that your general doctor captures all important data, such as age, height, and weight. Also, tell them about any medical conditions you might have or take prescription medications that could interact with your treatment plan.

Having all of this information is essential so that your doctor will know what medications they should prescribe and if there is a possibility of you having an allergic reaction to any of them.

Follow Up With Your Doctor

You should part ways with your doctor with a game plan so that you can get healthy and back to living your life. If you have an orthopedic surgery scheduled, you must follow up with the office in advance of your appointment. This is also important to know if you are taking any prescription medications, as these could have side effects that you should be aware of.

Take Away

It’s always a good idea to have a list of questions for your doctor, even if they seem silly. If you have to go under the knife, do not be afraid to ask how many times they have done this surgery. This will help you prepare for the surgery mentally.