You want your appointment with an orthopedic doctor to be a successful one. How can you prepare to make your appointment beneficial for both yourself and your doctor? Consider the following suggestions below.
An important question to ask is, “What should I bring to my orthopedic appointment?” You don’t want to be lacking the relevant information that your doctor needs to make a tailored approach to your treatment plan.
Consider bringing the following items to your orthopedic appointment:
Another important consideration is what to wear. Ideally, you should wear loose-fitting clothing that allows your doctor to easily examine the body part that is injured.
For example, if you have a knee or hip problem, then wearing or bringing shorts to your appointment would be helpful. Or if a woman has a problem with her shoulder, she would want to ensure that her undergarments do not cover her shoulder.
It’s a good idea to be prepared with a list of questions for your orthopedic appointment. This will help you to be well-informed about your condition and the possible treatment options. It will also provide an opportunity to allay any fears.
The following are some of the questions you will likely want to be answered by your orthopedic doctor.
In answering this question, you should not only know what condition you have but also get to understand it better. Ask your doctor to explain technical terms or anything you don’t understand. Understanding your condition will help you make good choices going forward in selecting your treatment.
Your doctor will likely recommend a treatment approach to help you with your condition. Find out why your doctor feels this is the best course of action.
Don’t be afraid to ask if there are any other approaches that can work, both surgical and non-surgical. Ask your doctor about the pros and cons of each treatment available.
You will want to discuss things you should avoid that can harm your recovery. With orthopedic conditions, there are many factors that can make a condition worse.
At the same time, you will want to find out what can help you to recover. Things like diet changes and physical therapy often help you to delay or even eliminate the need for surgery.
Make sure you understand what the surgical procedure involves and how to prepare for it. Usually, you will need to refrain from eating or stop taking certain medications before surgery.
Your recovery is important too. After the surgery, you will need to know whether it is safe to drive home, if you need to take time off work, how much time to take off, and so on.
Ask about the follow-up appointments, how often they will be, and for how long you will need to make them. Being informed will allow you to make the right preparations so that you can focus on your recovery after surgery.
Your surgeon may have many years of experience as an orthopedic doctor. However, each condition is different. Be sure to find out what experience they have specific to your condition or treatment.
If you are considering surgery, ask about their experience performing minimally invasive procedures. You will want a surgeon who is open to and skilled at performing all types of surgery.
You should arrive around 30 minutes before your appointment. This will give you sufficient time to fill out any required paperwork. Arriving early can also help you avoid being rushed, allowing for a calmer visit.
You could also see if the forms can be completed online beforehand to save time.
For more information about how to prepare for your appointment, go ahead and find an orthopedic doctor in your area today!