MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY VISIT:

• Be ready to talk about your relevant medical history. Write down previous treatments that you have used. Be sure to include any injuries and surgical or non-surgical treatments like physical therapy. Also, make sure your doctor is aware of any medical conditions, whether you think they may be relevant or not to your knee pain. By being fully informed of your medical history, your doctor can determine the right course of treatment for your knee pain.
• Make a list of all the medications you take prior to your visit. Your list will save both you and your doctor time during your visit. In addition to both over-the-counter as well as prescription medications, make sure your doctor knows about any creams, injections, vitamins or nutritional supplements. Full disclosure to your doctor will allow the best treatment plan to be created.
• Mention any allergies you may have.
• Bring any previous test results such as X-rays, lab tests, etc., as you are able to your appointment. This saves a lot of time, unnecessary duplication of tests and helps your surgeon accurately assess your symptoms.
• Tell your doctor about your lifestyle, the activities you enjoy and those you may have once enjoyed but no longer can due to your knee pain. It is important for your doctor to understand how your knee pain is affecting you both physically and emotionally.
• Prepare a list of questions for your doctor prior to your appointment and be sure to accurately discuss how you are feeling and what may need to change in your treatment plan. Armed with the knowledge, your doctor can assess any changes that may be needed while helping you to continue to successfully manage your knee pain.