When you meet with an orthopedic surgeon for the first time, it is helpful to know what to expect during the orthopedic evaluation. Depending on the purpose of your visit, your initial appointment will most likely include one or more of the following: an exam, X-rays and/or MRI, and physical tests.
If you suffer from chronic pain due to an injury or an orthopedic condition, schedule a consultation with one of Ventura Orthopedics specialists. Our team can help diagnose and treat orthopedic conditions including back pain, joint pain, arthritis, spinal conditions and bursitis, among many others. Before your appointment, you may wish to write down a list of questions and concerns you wish to discuss with the doctor.
The following will help you and your orthopedic doctor discuss the important issues for getting the most out of your first orthopedic appointment.
What Is Orthopedics?
Orthopedics is the broad based medical and surgical specialty dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. This branch of medicine addresses a wide range of conditions, diseases and injuries that impact the musculoskeletal system. The body’s musculoskeletal system is made up of bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and connective tissues.
Your body’s bones make up the skeleton, a framework for how your muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues all fit together. Your musculoskeletal system helps support your body’s weight, holds your body upright, and helps you move around throughout your day. Orthopedics is the study of how certain health conditions can impact the form, stability and movement of the body. Injuries, health conditions and diseases can all impact the healthy functioning of your musculoskeletal system, and orthopedic doctors go through extensive training and education to diagnose and treat these issues.
What Does an Orthopedic Doctor Treat?
While orthopedics has an unlimited range of therapies and treatments, most orthopedic surgeons have a subspecialty area of focus. A subspecialty can be limited to a specific part of the body, a certain sector within orthopedics, or a certain type of medical service the doctor provides.
If you have an orthopedic injury or chronic pain in an area, it will be essential for you to pick an orthopedic doctor who focuses on what you need. Some sites of the body that are especially involved in orthopedic care are the:
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Back or spine
- Hips
- Knees
- Hands
- Wrists
- Elbows
- Legs
- Ankles
- Feet
In order to get the best orthopedic care, choosing an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in your injured area can mean the difference between a successful outcome and a poor one.
Conditions Treated by Orthopedic Doctors
Some common conditions treated by orthopedists are:
- Fractures
- Sprains
- Strains
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Bunions
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Back pain or Sciatica
- Bone tumors
- Herniated or ruptured discs
- Scoliosis or kyphosis (incorrect curves in the spine)
- Trauma
When to See an Orthopedic Specialist
Orthopedic specialists treat acute and chronic conditions of the bones and joints. An acute condition is one that begins suddenly. These include broken bones and soft-tissue injuries, such as a twisted ankle. Some soft-tissue injuries clear up within a few days with at-home care. When they do not, a visit to an orthopedic specialist can be helpful.
A chronic condition develops over time, such as arthritis or degenerative spine disease. You may want to consider seeing an orthopedic specialist for a chronic condition if:
- You have a hard time doing everyday activities, like walking up stairs
- You cannot participate in sports or be as active as you want to be
- Your range of motion is becoming more limited
- You feel shaky or unstable when you stand or walk
- You have been experiencing pain for 12 weeks or more
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Please bring the following to your appointment:
- Photo ID
- Insurance Card
- List of Your Current Medications
- Any Previous Imaging Scans Such as X-rays or MRIs
Be sure to wear loose-fitting clothing to your appointment. You may need to remove some of your clothing for the physical exam, so be sure to dress accordingly. A sports bra is helpful for female patients.
What to Expect at Your Orthopedic Appointment
Your appointment will take place in an exam room. A member of our care team — typically an orthopedic specialist, athletic trainer or nurse practitioner—will talk to you about your symptoms and medical history and do a physical exam.
Comprehensive Medical History Examination
Although each orthopedic evaluation is customized to the needs of the individual patient, it typically begins with a review of the patient’s medical history. Be prepared to describe any conditions that run in your family and any conditions or diseases you have been diagnosed with. The orthopedic specialist will also ask about any pain that you are currently experiencing, even if you are not sure whether or not it is connected to the specific orthopaedic condition (e.g., knee pain). The doctor will also ask you about your general health and any existing conditions that you have including arthritis, osteoporosis, anemia, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. Some of these conditions can impact the treatment recommendation that a surgeon makes.
Inform the doctor of any medications or supplements you have been taking, and whether you have undergone any procedures to treat your joint pain or other orthopedic condition. Discuss your symptoms, how severe they are and when you typically experience them.
Questionnaire
A detailed questionnaire will cover your medical history, pain level, limitations, and the progression of your knee pain and problems.
Questionnaires may vary by doctor and clinic. They typically focus on whether you are able to:
- Walk without a limp
- Walk up and down stairs
- Get in and out of a car
- Bathe
- Sleep at night without pain
The questionnaire will also ask about your overall health and any existing conditions you may have, such as:
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Obesity
- Anemia
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Smoking
Your doctor will also want to know how any of these conditions have changed recently.
Physical Exam
The goal of an orthopedic examination is to determine the possible causes of your symptoms and the extent to which they interfere with your normal activities. Your doctor will use varying physical tests to assess your range of motion, swelling, reflexes and skin condition. He or she may have you stand up, sit down, and lie down. You can also expect to walk around to while the doctor performs a gait analysis.
If you have knee pain, the surgeon will use an instrument that resembles a protractor to measure how far you can extend your leg in front and flex it behind you. The doctor will observe your general ability to move around while walking, sitting, standing, climbing stairs, bending forward and backward and performing other basic movements. These tests help the orthopaedic surgeon rule out or confirm possible diagnoses.
Diagnostic Tests
For an accurate diagnosis of joint pain or other issues, you can expect to undergo X-rays after your physical exam. X-rays can reveal a wide range of conditions including change in size or shape (e.g., narrowing or thickening) for a particular part of the body (e.g., knee or hip joint), cysts, deformity, and incorrect alignment. Surgeons use MRIs to detect early stages of disease.
If you have had previous X-rays, the surgeon may review them to look for any changes or deterioration to your condition over time. The exam, testing, and imaging help a surgeon determine the best treatment option. Make sure that the physician discusses the risks and complications of the treatment, the recovery and rehabilitation process, whether or not a hospital stay is required, and how much it will cost.
How Can I Get Started?
Orthopedic injuries are some of the more difficult and painful injuries you can sustain and they almost always require one to get proper medical treatment. If you have suffered from a break or fracture, dislocation, knee or rotator cuff injury, seek medical treatment right away.
You will likely be in a lot of pain depending on the complexity of your injury, but even if your pain is moderate, only a proper diagnosis by a professional will be able to determine what exactly has occurred and what needs to be done to remedy things.
The experienced and dedicated orthopedic surgeons at Ventura Orthopedics are here for you. If you need spinal or back surgery, it may be time to consult a medical professional. The experienced and dedicated orthopedic surgeons at Ventura Orthopedics are here for you. We are committed to helping you through any procedure until optimum health, strength and mobility are restored.
Call us today at 800-698-1280 to schedule an appointment.
