At The Orthopedic Clinic, we are the leaders of orthopedics in Volusia and Flagler counties.  Because of that, we get asked hundreds of questions daily from walk-in patients, scheduled appointment patients, and surgical patients.

We consulted our clinical and non-clinical teams to determine the top ten questions they receive regularly. We had a great response rate and were able to compile a list of the top ten most commonly asked questions in orthopedics.

1. Is the wait long to be seen?

The great thing about our orthopedic clinics is that we have walk-in clinics in Daytona Beach and Port Orange. Because of this, you can be seen immediately! There is no wait for next-day appointments that many hospitals and other orthopedic centers have.

We understand the urgency of needing to be seen immediately for your orthopedic issue, and we want to ensure you are seen as soon as possible to address the issues on hand.

After you are seen and taken care of, our walk-in clinic providers can schedule a follow-up appointment with a physician who specializes in the specific body part you are having an issue with, whether that be your foot, spine, knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, or any other issue.

2. If I have an MRI, why do I need X-rays?

With imaging services such as MRIs and X-rays, it can become confusing to understand why a doctor may order more tests. Yes, both tests will help the doctor to know what’s happening inside of your body; however, they provide different kinds of information.

According to the National Library of Medicine, MRIs are defined as “ a non-invasive imaging technology that produces three dimensional detailed anatomical images. It is often used for disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring.”

Whereas, X-rays “are a form of electromagnetic radiation, similar to visible light. Unlike light, however, x-rays have higher energy and can pass through most objects, including the body. Medical x-rays are used to generate images of tissues and structures inside the body.”

In short, an MRI can offer a detailed view of soft tissues, such as muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. X-rays are the best imaging tool for looking at bones and joint alignments. Both tests may be ordered if the doctor feels it is medically necessary to obtain a comprehensive view of your issues in order to determine the next course of treatment.

3. Do I have to get on the scale?

We understand that this common question that we receive from patients is a sensitive one. No one wants to share their weight with others, and that is perfectly understandable. However, here at The Orthopedic Clinic, we firmly believe in treating the individual patient and not just the injury.

Every person has different factors that our doctors consider, weight being one of them. Your weight can directly affect your bones, joints, and overall musculoskeletal health. Especially if you’re dealing with issues in weight-bearing areas such as knees, hips, or spines, weight is extremely important. By understanding your weight, our orthopedic specialists can take that into consideration while assessing your condition.

Our care teams are fully prepped to ensure you get on and off the scale as quickly as possible and are able to keep that information as private as possible where it is just between you and your doctor.

4. Can I still take my pain meds on the morning of my procedure?

If your doctor schedules you for surgery, we understand the number of questions patients will have to ensure they understand everything about their upcoming surgery. One of the top questions we get is whether taking pain medication on the morning of the procedure is okay.

And unfortunately, there is no black-and-white answer here. It all depends on the type of procedure you are having and what type of medication you are taking. The great thing is that here at The Orthopedic Clinic, we believe in transparency. Our doctors have surgery schedulers that help them relay all of this pertinent information to you to ensure you are well-informed about whether or not you can take your pain medication the morning of your surgery.

5. Do I have to come in for my follow-up if I feel great?

It is wonderful that you are feeling great and want to know if it’s medically necessary to come in for a follow-up appointment. The answer will largely depend on whether you are having a surgical or non-surgical appointment.

Surgical – If, after surgery, you are feeling great, that is a good sign that you are on the road to recovery. However, follow-up visits after surgery are an absolute must. These follow-up visits play a vital role in your recovery long-term. During these appointments, doctors can often pick up on things the patient may overlook. And it is best to address any potential issues immediately. Here at The Orthopedic Clinic, we average seeing our surgical patients 10 days after surgery, if not before.

Walk-In Clinic Appointment – If, after a walk-in clinic appointment, you are feeling great and don’t feel the need to come in for a follow-up appointment, give us a call! We can easily get in touch with your doctor’s care team to get their feedback based on your medical issue if it is necessary for a follow-up appointment.

6. What kind of procedure am I having?

If, after an appointment, your doctor recommends surgery, we understand that there will be many questions surrounding the procedure and the recovery time. Here at The Orthopedic Clinic, we take the time to discuss this with our patients. We don’t ever want you to feel that you are not fully knowledgeable about the course of treatment your doctor is setting out for you.

In order to ensure this quality standard is upheld, our doctors each have clinical teams and surgery schedulers that help to answer all of these questions in full. You will also receive a detailed packet of information that will fully explain your procedure and what you can expect before, during, and after.

7. Does anybody care about how much pain I’m in?

After your appointment gets scheduled, whether that be a week or a few days, we understand that waiting isn’t ideal. You’re in pain, and pain can greatly alter your ability to function and go about your day. According to the National Library of Medicine, they share that chronic pain not only affects a patient’s daily activities and quality of life, but it also affects the lives of their families and those around them.

We truly do care about your pain here at The Orthopedic Clinic. New patients coming directly to our walk-in clinics can be seen immediately. However, we understand that waiting to see an orthopedic doctor who specializes in your orthopedic issue can be frustrating for a follow-up appointment. This is why we offer a patient portal where you can get live updates to your scheduled care. If you have any questions, you can message us, and a member of the doctor’s team will respond.

8. Do I need to have a driver take me to outpatient surgery?

Here at The Orthopedic Clinic, we are thrilled to own our very own Ambulatory Surgery Center that is on our main Orthopedic Campus at 1865 LPGA Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32117. And even though this is out-patient, meaning that you will not need to be kept overnight, you will still need someone to drive you to and from your outpatient surgery.

While you are not staying overnight, the effects of the anesthesia and pain medication can impact your judgment and reflexes for several hours after the procedure is over. Because of this, we always recommend having a family member or close friend make sure you get home safely.

9. Why are people coming back before me even though I was here first?

Here at The Orthopedic Clinic, we have walk-in clinics at our Daytona Beach and Port Orange locations. We provide fast access for adults and children (age 2+) who have immediate orthopedic or sports medicine needs. And since we only treat orthopedic conditions, you won’t be exposed to contagious or infectious diseases like in other urgent care settings.

So, if you are here for a scheduled appointment, it may seem like someone is jumping the line ahead of you, but we can assure you that they are not. We have clinical staff and doctors who specifically work the emergent walk-in clinic for those who need to be seen immediately.

10. What time am I supposed to be there?

Your doctor’s care team will schedule your arrival time, whether it be for a follow-up appointment or surgery. Care teams consist of certified medical assistants, physician assistants, APRNs, RNs, and other certified professionals. Your patient portal will be correctly updated to reflect the time of arrival.

If you ever have any questions about your arrival time, you can look on the patient portal or call us at 386-255-4596, and you will get an immediate answer.

We hope that these top 10 orthopedic questions that we get were helpful! If you have any questions that were not answered on this list, please do not hesitate to reach out to us here, and we will respond within 24 hours.

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