How do I prepare to visit the orthopedist?

Below you will learn what you should consider when visiting the orthopedist and what types of questions and concerns you can ask this doctor. Orthopedics is a medical specialty that is based on the structure of bones, tendons, muscles and joints.

There are many reasons why you can go to a orthopedist, since this specialist doctor has the knowledge to evaluate any structure, both bone and muscle and treat their ailments.

Some people mistakenly think that this expert only focuses on Children With some skeletal anomalies for various diseases or shape Hereditary. That is why, first of all, you should know what is meant by orthopedics.

La orthopedics It is a branch of medicine that is responsible for studying the conditions that the bone system, joints, muscles and even tendons. In fact, there are many diseases associated with all these structures, so an orthopedist can treat you in a wide variety of cases.

It should be noted that the most recommended thing is that when there is fractures O Injuries traumatic (for blows or falls), go to an expert with the specialty of traumatology and orthopedics, since it can treat you in a more precise way.

El traumatologist It is who through imaging studies determines if fixed assets or operations are required on a case-by-case basis.

For its part, the orthopedist He works in the consequences of such injuries, as well as in other associated diseases. Hence, we have already clarified that it is a Myth that only children should see this doctor, because there are anatomical deformations that arise with the passing the years, as well as arthritis problems, torn ligaments, bunions and more.

What diseases can an orthopedist treat?

Part of preparing to visit this specialist is knowing what he can treat or what his Reach for you to initiate the solution to your problem.

In this regard, we will now describe the pathologies or Diseases most often consulted with an orthopedist:

• Failures in the joints: Arthritis, dislocations for incorrectly consolidated fractures, rupture of ligaments And Dolores and inflammations in these areas.
  
• Defects in the feet and ankles: in this case, the well-known ones stand out Bunions, which are common in women, due to the use of V-shaped shoes on their fingertips. It also highlights the Fasciitis What is inflammation of the tendon that connects the fingers and passes through the arch of the sole of the foot; sprains, Dolores in heels, flat feet or with excess arch, hammerhead toe and tarsal tunnel syndrome, where the ankle nerve is affected.
  
• Hands and wrists: here the most common damages are the carpal tunnel syndrome, which limits the movement and closure of the hand due to damage to the median nerve. La tendonitis It is another of the common pathologies when there are movements with excessive repetition, as well as cysts and tears.
  
• Shoulders: the Dislocation Trauma or blow is the biggest cause of damage in this area. However, there can still be tendonitis on the rotators and bursitis, What does it mean Inflammation in the synovial bags of the shoulder joint.
  
• Knees: here they highlight the Dislocation of the patella, the damage to meniscus, tendons and cartilage, and sprains.
  
• Column: the hernias are common in this area of the body, although in a similar way the orthopedist can treat injuries of the Spinal cord, infections in the bones, tumors and arthritis. For its part, the Scoliosis is a pronounced curvature of the bone that passes through the back of the spine.

However, in general you can visit the orthopedist when you have bone deformities and infections, or after suffering a fracture or sprain to evaluate that the bones consolidated properly. Los tumors They are other elements that this specialist can treat, decide on limb amputations and perform surgical interventions.

If you have symptoms of pain or reduction in movement for any of these areas, it's a good idea to consult an orthopedist.

What should I bring to the orthopedist's appointment?

Based on the above, you already know what type of conditions you can consult with this specialist. Therefore, it is important that identify all your pain or symptoms, And that you carry with you imaging studies that you have done before.

Next we will give you a series of Steps What you should consider so that you are prepared to go to the orthopedist:

1. Ask yourself What hurts you. This will allow you to identify your ailments, but it is essential that you give them a priority, because if there are many, the doctor will start treating the most critical one.
   
2. Back up your Pain. In some cases we go to the orthopedist because another doctor suggested it to us. If so, ask your initial doctor to prepare a report so that the orthopedist knows the technical reasons why you are visiting him. But if you go on your own, it is essential that you analyze and remember. Since when some annoyance began.
   
3. Documentate yourself. A cramp is not the same as tingling or pain, so you need to see a doctor What do you feel precisely, from what moment and with what intensity. For this reason, it is recommended that you do your research so that you use the correct terms and there is a better understanding between the two.
   
4. Search and carry your medical studies. If your case is a disease that was previously reviewed with imaging studies, you should bring these results to the orthopedist. Based on your analysis, it will tell you if you need to take another test to make a comparison. It is for this reason that it is essential to have a personal medical record so that the information is at hand at the requested time.

5. Usa comfortable clothes and few accessories. Depending on your illness or discomfort, the orthopedist will probably ask you to perform imaging studies such as radiographs, CT scans, arthrographs, discographies, magnetic resonances, and so on. So you should be prepared to do them quickly and conveniently. It is also possible that he will give you a physical exam during the consultation.

Where to go?

There are many health centers that have specialists in orthopedics, but the important thing in making the choice is to ask about the doctor's experience and the benefits of the place. Also consider that they can ask you imaging studies, and then you might want to check that they have this service and with cutting-edge equipment and techniques.

An example of the above is that they give you the digital results and in a short time before the doctor can conclude his Diagnostic as soon as possible. This is advantageous for saving the studies in question easily, quickly and securely.

References

• Fortune, J, Paulos, J. and Liendo, C. (2005). Orthopedics And Traumatology.
• Orthopedic Services. MedlinePlus.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome. MedlinePlus.
• How to prepare to go to the doctor-orthopedist. Cane of fractures.