Your Initial Office Visit – What to Expect
At your first visit with our practice, our goal is to evaluate your health needs and receive feedback from you, about what has brought you in. In many cases, this will include taking current X-rays, to give the providers a real-time picture of the problem area. It will be important to arrive at this visit at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled time, in order to complete preliminary assessments and any remaining paperwork.
For your ease and convenience, we encourage you to complete the required intake forms online, by clicking here.
Once you are in the treatment room, our providers will examine the area in question, and discuss options for treatment with you. He or she will spend some time answering any questions you may have and will ensure that you feel knowledgeable about the issue at hand and confident in moving forward with treatment.
The provider will walk you out to the front desk area, in order for you to schedule a follow-up visit, if necessary.
Surgery Preparation and Optimal Post-surgical Healing
At Sports & Orthopaedic Specialists, we work closely with you and your Primary Care Provider, to determine whether or not orthopedic surgery is necessary for your optimal health outcome. This section will provide you with useful information, regarding the information your Orthopaedic Specialist Physician will need, as well as helpful tips in preparing for surgery and post-surgical healing.
Communicating With Your Physician
We will perform an intake visit to evaluate your health needs, which may include taking current X-rays. It will be important to arrive at this visit at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled time, in order to complete all paperwork and all preliminary assessments.
At this visit, our physicians will perform an evaluation and work closely with you to explain the proposed treatment plan and go over any recommended procedures, in order to achieve optimal results. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and to ensure that you are feeling confident and well-informed, as to the next steps. Physical and mental preparation for surgery is an essential component to a successful outcome.
In addition, it is important to discuss with your Orthopaedic Specialist Physician any and all medications you may be taking. If you are currently taking anti-inflammatory medications, you should be aware that you will need to cease this intake for up to 10 days prior to scheduled surgery, to lower potential health risks. Your physician will discuss with you the medications that are considered safe to take, leading up to the surgery.
Be sure to report any current infections to your physician, as well as any other health problems you are currently experiencing, even those unrelated to orthopedic surgery.
Steps You Can Take to Reduce Risks
If you are a smoker, please plan to reduce or eliminate this habit, in the weeks leading up to surgery. Non-smokers have significantly lower rates of infections and complications, and shorter healing times than smokers.
Obesity puts extra stress on the joints and can increase the risk of anesthesia complications. If you are overweight, work on lowering your Body Mass Index (BMI) during the waiting period.
Dental issues should be addressed and resolved, prior to surgery, to reduce the postoperative risk of infections.