Orthopedic Surgery Consultation

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Bring a copy of the visit notes if you have already seen a doctor or another orthopedic surgeon.

You might have seen another provider for this problem, such as an emergency room physician, doctor at an urgent care facility, your primary care provider, or another orthopedic surgeon. If you have, it can be a good idea to get a copy of the medical records to give the orthopedic surgeon the best chance to understand all of the studies and treatments you have had up to this point. If the visit is for a second opinion from another orthopedic surgeon, a copy of your orthopedic records could be especially helpful.

Bring a copy of any x-rays or MRIs performed if you have already seen a doctor or another orthopedic surgeon.

Along with a patient's history and physical exam, x-rays are fundamental parts of a musculoskeletal exam for an orthopedic surgeon. If you have had x-rays taken for this problem at your primary care doctor's office, a hospital emergency room or urgent care facility, or another orthopedic surgeon, get a copy of the x-rays. The office can usually burn the images onto a CD that you can take to the orthopedic surgeon. The same rule applies to other studies, like CTs and MRIs.

Also, try to get the actual images and not just the radiologist's report. Bringing the films allows the orthopedic surgeon the best opportunity to properly diagnose your problem and plan the treatment. Plus it avoids potentially having to repeat the studies.