If you experience joint pains regularly, you might need to visit an orthopedic doctor to know the cause of the pain. Identifying which questions you need to ask an Orthopedic Instant Care doctor way before your appointment is due can go a long way in making your visit more efficient. These questions can give you the clarity you need about your condition, as well as provide your orthopedic doctor a chance to share important tips on how to keep your bones healthy.
That said, here are five questions you should ask an orthopedic specialist:
1. What’s The Meaning Of The Pain I Feel?
When you visit an orthopedic doctor, start by explaining the pain you feel. Doing this provides the doctor with the information they need to evaluate your condition and make a diagnosis. The best way you can describe the pain you’re experiencing is by using a pain scale.
For instance, you can use a 1-10 scale where 10 represents excruciating pain, while 1 means you aren’t experiencing any pain. The scale may seem pretty simple and subjective, but it works perfectly when it comes to helping orthopedic doctors in understanding your level of pain.
2. What Medical Information Should I Share With You?
Your orthopedic doctor like Dr. Benoit Benoit can guide you on the most relevant medical information that they need to know. However, if you want to get a thorough consultation, prepare relevant health records ahead of your visit. Bring along medical records plus contacts of any other specialist that you may have seen before. If you’re on any supplements, over-the-counter drugs, or prescribed medicine, inform the doctor during your visit.
3. What Should I Do To Prevent Future Orthopedic Problems?
This is a must-ask question when you’re seeing an orthopedic specialist for the first time. By asking this question, you gain more insights into how bones develop and mature throughout your life. If you haven’t been in contact with any orthopedic doctors, you can simply search “Best Orthopedic Doctors Near Me” and see which one fits your needs best.
Generally, bones require plenty of calcium to develop, particularly between ages 10 and 20. An orthopedic specialist can help you map a diet that’s rich in calcium depending on the current state of your bone health.
With this question, you also get expert tips on how to prevent bone injuries. For instance, if you’re involved in sporting activities, or have plans to start a new sport, asking this question allows an orthopedic specialist to share activities that you can engage in to maintain healthy bones.
As the doctor responds to this question, ask follow-up questions to get clarity about the health of your bones. To get proper advice, let the doctor know of any injuries or bone problems that you’ve had in the past.
4. What Risks Are Posed By Available Treatment Options?
To make an informed decision, you need to know all the treatment options that are available for your condition. You also need to be aware of the risks that each of those options poses to your health.
But don’t just focus on the risks—ask the doctor to share the benefits that each treatment option offers. Asking your orthopedic doctor to explain both the benefits and the risks that available treatment options present enables you to decide on the most comfortable option with their guidance.
5. What Changes Do I Need To Make During Treatment?
Depending on the treatment option that an orthopedic specialist prescribes, you must find out whether you’ll be required to make any changes to your meals or activities. Treatment procedures like surgery and therapy might require you to slow down your day-to-day activities. Get information on the adjustments you need to make to ensure that your treatment works effectively.
Final Thoughts
Whatever stage you are in life, you’ll need to see an orthopedic specialist at one point or another. Whether this need is due to declining bone health or a small accident in the sports field, it’s practically impossible to predict exactly when you’ll need to make a trip to an orthopedic doctor.
From bone fractures and joint pains to sports injuries and torn tendons or ligaments, orthopedic specialists provide treatment for a wide range of bone-related ailments. Like with any other visit to the doctor, preparing for your appointment well enables you to get the most from visiting an orthopedic specialist.
The best way to do this is to identify a set of questions for the doctor way before your appointment date. If you’re preparing for your first visit to an orthopedic specialist, like Mid North Coast Hip & Knee Clinic, make your appointment more efficient by asking your doctor the five questions discussed above.