Almost all athletes are afraid of seeing an orthopedic surgeon and it is completely understandable. Some may be terrified by the idea of surgery, while others may think that the specialist will prohibit sports or exercise. Unfortunately, however, some injuries do not heal over time and need professional medical help. Before visiting a sports doctor, there are certain necessary tips that you should follow. Let’s look at some of those suggestions in detail.
Tips for Seeing an Orthopedic Surgeon
Visiting a surgeon for any kind of injury is a terrifying experience, but seeking the help of the best and reputable sports medicine doctors would surely lessen all those intimidations. The tips below will hopefully enhance your next visit.
• Today, the sports medicine industry has become extremely subspecialized. General surgeons are nowhere to be found today. Most doctors focus on those patients who have problems within their subspecialty. Therefore, you need to find a doctor who is trained in the type of problem you are having. For example, if you fell while jogging and have immense pain in your hand; you should see a hand surgeon.
• You may have seen another doctor in the emergency care unit before going to an actual specialist. In that case, you should bring all previous medical records so that the orthopedic surgeon has a chance to understand the treatments you had so far. This would allow him to understand her problem and mention the remedy as quickly as possible.
• X-rays and MRIs play a vital role during fractures. So if you have already done such tests, do not forget to bring the reports. It would be better if you could get the actual images instead of the ones provided by the radiologist. Real accounts would offer the surgeon the best opportunity to accurately diagnose the problem and formulate treatment accordingly.
• If you are visiting this particular surgeon for the first time, you need to provide the doctor with a great deal of medical information. Therefore, you must complete certain questionnaires and forms. Your doctor would review all of this information to get an idea of your medical history and how it relates to your problem.
• As an athlete, it is very common for you to suffer from musculoskeletal injuries. But if you have decided to go to a surgeon, you need to know the answer to some standard questions:
1. Since when did the problem start?
2. How did it happen?
3. Have you tried any treatment?
4. Have you taken any medication?
5. What is the nature of bread?
6. Are there any activities that aggravate the pain?
Instead of stammering in front of your doctor, you should prepare the answers to these questions beforehand.
Following the tips mentioned above will surely make your visit to a surgeon a rewarding experience. Before seeking professional help, do extensive research on the best sports medicine doctors and choose one wisely.