Orthopedic pain can get in the way of living your fullest life—from playing outside with the kids, to walking the dog, to getting to and from work. In the road to recovery, it’s important to find an orthopedic leader that makes you feel completely comfortable and cared for.
Choosing an orthopedic clinic is not just about the physicians and insurance coverage. Yes, both of those are undoubtedly critical. That said, another major factor to your successful recovery is the health care facility, which can even impact the services your doctor offers.
Orthopedic clinics come in all shapes and sizes. Here are some qualities to consider when choosing a clinic for your orthopedic care:
Find a clinic that offers all orthopedic treatments — not just injections
As an orthopedic patient, it’s good to find a clinic where you can access care under one roof. It might seem simpler and more efficient to find an injection clinic, but injections are typically just one aspect of a treatment plan. Plus, you may need different services down the road—including physical therapy, MRIs or even a surgical option.
Having an established relationship with an orthopedic clinic that knows your health history can help your providers make the best, most comprehensive treatment plan as they follow your progress in-house. Not to mention, a single site for tests and treatments offers a convenient, one-stop shop services and eliminates the need for outside referrals.
Explore whether the clinic uses the latest technology
It may seem like a given, but make sure the orthopedic clinic you choose offers the latest technology. From ultrasound-guided injections to MRIs to surgical care to sports medicine, it’s important that the clinic is current and up-to-speed with the latest diagnostic tools and treatments in the field.
Determine if the clinic offers ultrasound-guided injections
If anti-inflammatory drugs or bracing aren’t giving you the kind of relief you want for your arthritis pain, your doctor may recommend gel injections. While not everyone is prescribed cortisone or gel injections as a part of their treatment plan, it’s important to understand that ultrasound-guided injections allow for a far more accurate placement than injections based on x-rays. Precision targeting enables the maximum, longest-lasting relief.
Research the orthopedic team’s credentials
When searching for orthopedic clinics, you may come across a variety of levels of physician expertise and training. The quality of an orthopedic clinic can be measured by making sure its orthopedic specialists are fellowship trained and board certified. Fellowship trained and board certified specialists have gone above and beyond to become an orthopedic expert in their field.
The clinic should also align its practices with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) guidelines and research. AAOS has developed best practices to maximize patient outcomes, and is trusted by experts across the globe.
Place value on a caring and compassionate staff
Finally, you should feel that the people on your orthopedic team care about you as an individual. The personal touch of staff can make a huge impact on your quality of life and the overall recovery process. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice a personalized, empathetic experience in your orthopedic care—so make sure the people on your health team are truly in your corner.
