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Many people have their first visit with an orthopedic doctor after they have sustained an injury.
Many people have their first visit with an orthopedic doctor after they have sustained an injury involving their bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, or muscles or are experiencing unexplained pain in these areas. Orthopedic doctors can help provide treatment for everything from dislocations to arthritis but it is important that you are able to clearly explain the issues that you are experiencing and ask any questions that you may have. This can help your doctor provide an appropriate treatment plan and help you feel more confident about your treatment options and your recovery. Below you will find a list of the most important questions to ask at your consultation with an orthopedic doctor.
What is this pain and what is causing it?
One of the very first things you may want to ask a doctor is what they think the pain you are experiencing is caused by. Before you go to the doctor, think about when the pain started, what you were doing, the level of pain that you are experiencing, and how and when it reoccurs. If it is one of the most common issues, the doctor may be able to diagnose you right away and they may call for more testing to confirm their diagnosis.
What else do you need to know about my medical history?
When you initially visit an orthopedic doctor, they are likely to ask detailed questions about the pain that you are experiencing. If you have had a long issue of joint or ligament issues, this is something that is very important for the doctor to know. Once you have explained this, it is a good idea to ask if there is anything else that they need to know about your medical history. They may want to know things like prescription medications or supplements that you are currently using, previous surgeries, and so on.
What can I do to keep this from happening again?
If you have recently had an injury, you are likely eager to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. Once your doctor has made a diagnosis, they can also discuss future prevention methods so that you don’t reinjure the area or cause further damage. This is likely to include exercises that you can do at home to strengthen the area as well as safer ways to do certain activities. If you are planning on taking up or continuing with a particular sport like running, hiking, tennis, etc, make sure to mention this as the doctor may have specific exercises in mind for certain sports.
Is there anything that I should avoid while I am being treated?
When you are undergoing treatment, whether it be at-home exercises, physical therapy, or prescription medicine, there are likely to be things that you should avoid until you are fully healed. While most doctors will tell you these when they are explaining your treatment plan, it is always good to reconfirm so that you can clear up any potential confusion or miscommunication.
Have you treated any patients with similar issues?
When you are deciding whether or not you want to try a certain treatment method, it may be helpful to ask your doctor if they have treated patients with a similar issue and, if so, what was the outcome. This shows not only the experience of the doctor but also what you can expect during your treatment.
What are the risks of this treatment plan?
Before you undertake any treatment, it is important to ask if there are any risks involved. While this is unlikely if you are doing exercises, any treatment involving surgery or medication could come with risks that you need to be aware of.
Still need help?
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, give our team a call to schedule a consultation and we will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
If you're experiencing tingling, numbness, or weakness in your limbs, it could be a sign of nerve compression. Fortunately, there are effective treatments and therapies available to manage these conditions.
If you're experiencing tingling, numbness, or weakness in your limbs, it could be a sign of nerve compression. Fortunately, there are effective treatments and therapies available to manage these conditions.
If you're experiencing tingling, numbness, or weakness in your limbs, it could be a sign of nerve compression. Fortunately, there are effective treatments and therapies available to manage these conditions.
If you're experiencing tingling, numbness, or weakness in your limbs, it could be a sign of nerve compression. Fortunately, there are effective treatments and therapies available to manage these conditions.
