What to Expect
A visit to a Riverside orthopaedic surgeon doesn't necessarily mean that you have surgery in your future. Think of your treatment as a partnership between you and your doctor. What course your treatment takes will depend upon your diagnosis, age, pain level, how active you are and your personal treatment preferences such as how quickly you want results or whether you want to try nonsurgical options first.
What to bring on your first visit
To make the most of your first visit, please bring the following to your appointment:
- A list of your current medications
- Any and all x-rays, MRIs or other imaging films (including written report)
- Information about what treatments and medications have been tried in the past and medical records that you think may be helpful
- List of questions you want to ask your physician
- Insurance information and card
- Referral from your primary care physician, if applicable
-
Be sure to wear your regular shoes to the examination. An irregular wear pattern on the bottom of the shoe may provide information
What to expect at your appointment
Riverside orthopaedic surgeons combine compassion with expertise and skill to restore joint function and mobility. They understand the pain you are in and how a hurting foot or ankle can impair your ability to do some of the simplest daily tasks.
Here's what you can expect on your first visit. Your surgeon will:
-
Discuss your symptoms with you
- Review your records or previous tests
- Examine your foot and ankle by testing your muscle and tendon strength or evaluating your bone alignment
- Order more diagnostic tests such as an x-rays of your ankle or foot in various positions, or MRIs to assess the soft tissues, or a CT scan to examine bones more closely
- Order blood tests depending on your symptoms
Depending on your complaint, your surgeon may:
-
Assess your stability and gait by having you walk and stand
-
Assess your range of motion while seated or lying down
- Check the foot itself for signs of unusual calluses, which may indicate abnormal friction.
- Check the circulation in your foot
Your doctor will also want to get a sense of how much the pain interferes with your daily living. Then, the two of you will discuss therapy options to restore your ankle and foot mobility and function
|
|
|
|
