Edward Yang, MD, a board certified orthopedic surgeon and Chief of Orthopaedics at Mount Sinai Queens
Edward Yang, MD, a board certified orthopedic surgeon and Chief of Orthopaedics at Mount Sinai Queens who writes about his perspective on orthopedic surgery, explains how you can best prepare for orthopedic surgery, and the surgical services offered at Mount Sinai Queens. Please remember that this information is not a substitute for direct medical advice.
Orthopedic surgeons specifically manage issues related to the musculoskeletal system – the system that provides form, support, stability, and movement to the body. While the main components—muscle and bones—are pretty self-explanatory, the system also includes cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints, and connective tissue. Your visit to an orthopedic surgeon might be for a chronic issue like carpal tunnel syndrome or for an acute injury like a torn meniscus, the thin fibrous cartilage in the knee. Like most office visits, your initial visit with your orthopedic surgeon involves diagnosis and the development of a treatment plan.
Communication and planning in advance for the visit are key. Research shows the more involved you are in your care, the better the results. The first steps are the same as for any doctor visit: compile the information you need to give your orthopedic surgeon a good medical history, including any other conditions or past surgeries, and all of the medications you are taking.
Write down the reason for your visit; this one step provides tremendous clarity for both you and your doctor. It is important to focus, as much as possible, on the reason for your visit: When did the pain start? Where is the pain? What makes it hurt? What helps? Have you had this problem before? What is the quality of the pain? Try not to volunteer unnecessary information. Be prepared with a written list of questions, and plan to take notes during the visit.
A great tip for saving time and money is to bring copies of any scans or X-rays related to the reason for your visit. Most images are available in digital format and are easily transported to your doctor’s office on a disk or USB flash drive. Don’t forget the accompanying report from the radiologist.
This brings the surgeon and patient to the point of the physical exam. Dress comfortably in clothes that are easy to change into and out of. This is the time to ask your questions and be clear about next steps. The next steps often utilize the diagnostic tools in the orthopedic surgeon’s toolbox. So stay tuned … in my next post, I will discuss those tools and the advances in orthopedic diagnostics.
Thanks for joining me. Please continue to post your questions and comments.