Welcome to this blogpost which unveils what happens in an initial consultation with me Mr Simon Garrett, Consult Orthopaedic Surgeon in Dorset, UK. From identifying your hip or knee pain to some popular questions from patients, read this guide sharing what happens when you attend your first appointment.
The first step to getting back on your feet, hip or knee pain free is to identify that there is an issue. In some cases patients will have pain following an injury, while others see a gradual decrease in their mobility along with an increase in pain and stiffness over time.
This kind of decline is often noticed when patients carry out everyday tasks such as walking up and down stairs, cleaning, getting out of bed and walking or exercising in general. They notice their joints are getting stiffer and in severe cases, avoid using their hip or knee joint altogether which puts pressure on the other hip or knee - causing even more damage which we definitely want to avoid!
They key is to book an initial appointment with an orthopaedic consultant...
So let's say you’ve decided the time has come to see me about your hip pain. Firstly, well done for making the decision to book in! I can now get you on the road to recovery.
My personal assistant, Lauren, will be able to give you the times and locations of my next available clinics. I am fortunate to offer private patient consultations in three hospitals across Dorset which are:
The BMI Harbour Hospital in Poole
Nuffield Health Hospital in Bournemouth
The BMI Winterbourne Hospital in Dorchester
With free parking, complimentary refreshments, clinics running to time, x-rays and scans promptly performed there are a number of benefits over the NHS and of course you will be seen by me personally at each and every visit.
In your consultation, we will discuss your symptoms then I’ll thoroughly exam you and go through any x-rays or scans you’ve already had, requesting any additional scans as needed. I will then have a very clear idea of the cause of your symptoms and explain the treatment options. The other great advantage of private treatment is the fact that any necessary surgery can usually be performed within a week or two, not the year that is now common place in the NHS.
Patients are sometimes anxious about seeing a specialist and so these a couple of points that may help:
Is there anything specific you should ask?
Not really, we will go through everything in detail and hopefully by the end of the consultation any questions will have been answered. Bringing a list of questions can be handy to make sure nothing is overlooked.
I don’t have private insurance, can I still come?
Of course, I am seeing an increasing number of self-funding patients due to increasing NHS waiting times.
Do I need a GP referral?
If using private insurance, a GP referral may be required so it’s worth checking. It is not necessary if self-funding.
How long is a consultation?
It will typically last 20-30 minutes.
Do I need to bring someone with me?
It can be helpful to have a friend or family member come along but it’s by no means essential.
There you have it, your guide to an initial consultation - I hope you found this post useful in yours or someone else's journey to recovery.
Want to book an appointment?
If you would like to book an initial appointment to see me at one of my Dorset clinics, don't hesitate to reach out to my friendly secretary Lauren, who will find you an appointment in the not-to-distant future.