What to expect when you visit our Bone and Joint Center

You and your doctor are partners when it comes to your health, and therefore, it is important that you are prepared for your visit to our office. Please make sure to bring in your previous test results, including any MRI, CT, and X-ray films, CDs, and reports.

Here are more helpful tips and reminders:

• Paperwork — On your first visit, you will be given several forms to fill out, mostly concerning your current complaints, your past medical and surgical history, and your medications. It is important to fill these out accurately so that appropriate and safe treatments can be rendered. Please remember to bring your insurance card and photo ID.
• Your medical history — Your doctor will take detailed notes of your condition, so be prepared to answer questions concerning the location of your pain, how long it’s been present, any aggravating or alleviating factors, and any treatments that you may have received. You know your condition better than anyone, so this is the time to tell your doctor everything.
• Physical examination — Your doctor will then perform a physical examination to determine your diagnosis. It’s helpful to come dressed appropriately. For instance, if you have elbow pain, wear a t-shirt or tank top to allow access to your entire arm.
• X-rays — Your doctor may need additional studies, like x-rays, to make a diagnosis and offer appropriate treatment. Our office has an advanced x-ray and fluoroscopy suite, where many of these tests can be performed. Sometimes, studies need to be taken at an outside facility, which we can arrange with you.
• Second opinions — If you would like to receive a second opinion after hearing your doctor’s advice, do not be embarrassed to say so. The doctor can guide you in the right direction.

Before and after surgery

You may need to have surgery at Maimonides for your orthopedic condition. If so, surgeries take place on the main hospital campus, and your parking ticket can be validated at our facility for free parking.

Please complete the following steps before the surgery:

• One week before surgery, stop taking any platelet inhibitors or blood thinners (i.e. Bayer Baby Aspirin, Excedrin, Anacin, Plavix, Aspirin, Coumadin, Heparin, Lovenox, etc.).
• One week before surgery, stop taking any anti-inflammatories (i.e. Naprosyn, Motrin, Aleve, Advil, Ibuprofen, etc.).
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke anything after midnight the day of your surgery
• Take any necessary medications in the morning with one sip of water, if necessary.

If you have any questions, please speak with your doctor. After your surgery, a responsible adult should escort or drive you home. Call our office at (718) 283-7400 to make a follow-up appointment.

Properly taking care of your cast

If you’ve hurt a bone, a cast is necessary to protect the bone and reduce pain as you heal.

Here are some tips that can help you take proper care of your cast:

• Do not stick anything into your cast! This can be very harmful to your skin
• Keep your cast dry at all times. Even cast covers should not get wet
• Mild swelling is common during the first few days. Gently elevate your limb to help reduce swelling
• Use a hairdryer on a cool setting to blow air into the cast can help with itchiness. Benadryl can also be helpful for significant itching

Call (718) 283-7400 to make an appointment with an orthopedic specialist