When it comes to musculoskeletal injuries or joint pain, you may be advised by your primary care physician or choose to schedule an appointment with an orthopedic or sports medicine specialist.
Visiting a new doctor for any reason can be a somewhat anxiety-inducing experience. Knowing what to expect from an orthopedic or sports medicine specialist visit can help alleviate some of that anxiety and make the overall experience more effective and pleasant.
Here’s what you can expect during your first appointment with an orthopedic or sports medicine specialist.
1. Initial Assessment
The initial assessment usually begins with taking a detailed history. This history includes your medical background, recent injury history, information about previous injuries, and a review of your current symptoms.
The doctor will ask about your daily activities, work habits, any medications you’re currently taking, your past surgical history, and family medical history.
You may also be asked about any previous evaluations you’ve had for the same issue, which may include past diagnostic imaging, treatments, etc.
2. Physical Examination
The doctor will conduct a thorough physical exam of the injured or painful body part. This includes inspection, evaluating range of motion, strength testing, and special physical exam maneuvers depending on the area being evaluated.
The opposite limb may also be assessed to check for any limitations in range of motion or strength. The physical examination provides valuable information to help guide the diagnosis.
3. Diagnostic Testing
In some cases, a history and thorough physical exam are enough to provide a diagnosis.
However, diagnostic imaging tests are often used to confirm the diagnosis, evaluate for more serious injuries, or rule out other conditions. Common diagnostic imaging tests ordered in an orthopedic or sports medicine office include X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRIs.
Sometimes diagnostic testing can be performed in the office, such as X-rays or ultrasounds.
For advanced imaging like CT scans or MRIs that are unavailable or impractical in the office, the doctor may order testing from an external facility.
4. Treatment Plan
Once the physician has gathered all available information from your history, physical examination, and any diagnostic tests, they will discuss the diagnosis and treatment plan with you.
The treatment plan may include simple measures, such as rest and oral medications, or it could be more complex. Sometimes, the doctor may advise you to rest from certain activities until advanced imaging results (like CT scans or MRIs) are available, at which point a treatment plan will be formulated.
However, once the diagnosis is established, treatment can often begin immediately, sometimes even while awaiting test results.
Treatment plans typically involve a combination of rest, activity modification, physical therapy, and/or oral medications. In some cases, injections may be performed in the office.
The doctor will also give you guidance on when it’s safe to return to sports or exercise. In some instances, the treatment plan may include a referral to a surgeon or another specialist for further evaluation or to discuss a procedure.
5. Counseling on Injury Prevention
In addition to addressing your injury, the doctor will discuss ways to prevent further injury, avoid aggravating your current injury, and prevent future injuries once the current issue is addressed.
Recommendations may include modifications to your activities or exercise program, avoiding certain activities, or suggestions regarding proper warm-up, stretching, or the use of appropriate equipment. The doctor will also address any questions you have that weren’t answered during the visit.
Establishing a strong doctor-patient relationship with an orthopedic or sports medicine physician is one of the most effective steps in getting you back to your sport or activity quickly and safely.
The initial visit plays a crucial role in building this relationship. By understanding what to expect during your first appointment, you can enhance your overall experience and ensure a productive visit.
Booking an appointment
Ready to start your recovery journey? Book an appointment with me, Dr Christopher Martin, or one of my colleagues at New York Bone & Joint Specialists today.
