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How to Make the Most of Your Orthopedic Appointment
How to Make the Most of Your Orthopedic Appointment

We have all been there- you are at your yearly physical and your doctor asks, “so, is there anything else bothering you today?” You think about it for a minute as you rub your knee. The same knee that has been nagging you for the past two years. After some discussion, you leave the office with an order for an MRI and a referral to an orthopedic specialist. So now what? Here, we will discuss the steps to make the most of your orthopedic appointment.

Accepting new patient

One thing we recommend before being seen by the orthopedic specialist is that you gather all your records to be sent over prior to your appointment. Be sure to include medical records for any office visits or past surgeries regarding the problem. This includes imaging studies and their reports, and any other special tests or treatments that have been done. This will help the provider review your case entirely to provide you with the best care options.

Now that our providers have reviewed your case and your images, we are asking you to get another x-ray- what gives?

 
Xray

Orthopedic radiology and general radiology obtain x-rays for different reasons. While the general radiologist might have done an x-ray to rule out a fracture, an orthopedist will obtain several specific views of the body part in different positions to obtain a more accurate representation of the area. Similarly, quality can be an issue, and at KCBJ we have the best equipment and radiology staff in town.

 

In this modern age of electronics, you might be wondering why we can’t we just log into the “system” and get your records. In some cases, doctor’s offices can share medical records via the cloud. Unfortunately, not all health care providers can share information with one another. Even if you have two doctors’ offices that are in the same building, there is a good chance that they do not use compatible electronic medical record systems to share your information.

Deposit

In conclusion, you play a big part in making the most of your orthopedic appointment. By helping us gather all the information about your condition, our providers can prepare to provide you with all of the options and help you choose what treatment options work best for you. After all, you are the focus of the appointment!

 

By: Riki Duncan

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/publications/topic/hipaa.html

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