When you are preparing to meet with an orthopedic surgeon for the first time, you may have many fears. You may worry that you need surgery or another serious treatment option. You may even have concerns that there is nothing wrong or nothing the medical professional can do to help with the pain and discomfort you may be experiencing. To make sure you get the most out of your appointment, here are a few tips when preparing to see an orthopedic surgeon.
Write Down Your Questions
While you may have many questions at home, when you step into the specialist’s office, you tend to forget many of your concerns. To make sure all your questions and concerns are addressed, write them down and bring the list with you. A great idea is to keep your list of questions on your mobile device as you can easily add to your list of questions as they come up and you are less likely to leave the list sitting on the counter.
Keep a Record of Your Pain
The specialist will want to know what you are feeling, the times you feel pain the most, when you experience decreased mobility during your day, etc. The more information you can give him or her, and the more accurate the information, the better. Once you begin experiencing the increased pain, it is important that you start writing it down. Keep a diary of what you feel each day, when you felt the most pain, and even rate the pain. All this information can be extremely beneficial to the specialist.
Bring Any Documents, Notes, and X-Rays from Other Doctors
Before you see a specialist, you likely met with a doctor who gave you the referral. If so, make sure you bring all materials, notes, X-rays, and any type of information from your doctor that could help your specialist. By providing the specialist with all the information, this helps him or her understand your condition, narrow down possible causes, and even cross off possible treatment options. In some cases, the doctor’s office will provide all the information for you and transfer it over to the specialist but you will want to be in communication with your doctor’s office to make sure this happens before you head to your appointment.
By taking the time to prepare yourself accordingly, you can get more out of your appointment than if you simply show up. By being prepared with questions and even documentation, you can save both yourself and your orthopedic surgeon time and you’ll be more pleased with the final outcome of the appointment.
An orthopedic surgeon can help you determine the best course of treatment for your condition. If surgery is needed, an orthopedic surgeon can help you determine the best option for you and provide information on each type, such as Mako Robotic Surgery. Remember, that if you are unsure about visiting an orthopedic doctor, it is always better to be safe than sorry, and an appointment can provide a little peace of mind that you need.
If you would like to request a consultation with one of the orthopedic specialists at the Orthopedic & Sports Institute (OSI), please call (920) 560-1000 or request an appointment online. Additionally, OSI now offers a Walk-In Clinic at its Appleton location for non-life threatening situations that require immediate attention.
The Orthopedic & Sports Institute has convenient locations to serve you. In addition to the flagship facility in Appleton, you will find outreach clinics in New London, Ripon, Shawano, Waupaca, and the newest location serving the Green Bay area, inside the NOVO Health Clinic in De Pere.
OSI is a proud member of NOVO Health.