If you have suffered an injury to a joint or bone and your doctor has recommended you consult with an orthopedic surgeon, then it is a good idea to take your doctor's advice and schedule that consultation. During this appointment, the surgeon will evaluate your injury, examining the results of previous tests such as x-rays and MRIs. They'll also ask you a lot of questions about the injury and your symptoms. However, there will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions, and when that opportunity arises, it's important that you have good questions lined up to ask — like these ones.
1. Is there anything you can try before surgery?
Most orthopedic surgeons are also orthopedic doctors, which means they also employ treatments other than surgery when possible. If you are unsure whether you want to dedicate the time to recovery or undergo the other rigors of surgery, it's worth asking whether there is anything else you can try first. The orthopedic doctor may know of another treatment that your original doctor was not aware of. They could recommend a few months of cortisone injections or a specific type of physical therapy before resorting to surgery.
2. How soon does the surgery have to be scheduled?
Orthopedic surgeons often assume that when a patient is in their office, that patient wants surgery and the resulting relief as soon as possible. However, if you have things going on in your life right now and would rather put off the surgery for a little longer, this might be possible. It's worth asking your surgeon how long it is safe to wait so that you can schedule your surgery more conveniently without sacrificing your health.
3. Can the surgery be done arthroscopically, and does your insurance cover that option?
Many orthopedic surgeries can now be done arthroscopically, which means they are performed through several small incisions rather than one large incision. Arthroscopic surgeries are faster to recover from and have a lower risk of certain side effects, such as infection. However, not all insurance plans cover these surgeries. Ask your orthopedic surgeon whether arthroscopic surgery is an option for your procedure and if it is, how much it will cost you. Some patients are willing to pay the extra cost out-of-pocket in order to enjoy an easier surgical procedure and a shorter recovery time.
Don't be shy about asking your orthopedic surgeon these and other questions. The consultation is as much about you asking the doctor questions as it is about them asking you questions.
Reach out to an orthopedic surgeon today for more information.
Share19 November 2020
My parents taught me healthy eating habits and I played outside a lot as a kid. Once I was old enough to work, I got a job as a waiter at a restaurant and kept waiting tables throughout high school and college. After college, I got my very first desk job, and my health started declining. I soon realized that even though I had never stepped foot in a gym, I was living a sedentary lifestyle for the first time in my life. I wasn't getting exercise playing outside or running around at work, so I decided to commit to going to the gym. My health began to improve and I now greatly enjoy bodybuilding. I know many other people are in ill health and can't figure out why, so I decided to start a blog to share my health tips and inspire everyone improve their health!
