How Do You Prepare for an Orthopaedic Consultation?
To prepare for an orthopaedic consultation, gather your symptom history, any earlier scans or test results, a list of the medicines you take now, and a few clear questions you want answered. Good preparation helps the consultant assess you more quickly. It also means the appointment time goes on the things that matter most to you.
Key takeaways
- Before you go, write down how your symptoms have developed: when the problem started, what makes it worse, and what you have already tried.
- Bring any earlier scans, X-rays, blood tests or referral letters with you.
- Make a short list of the medicines and supplements you take regularly.
- Think of three to five questions you want answered, so you forget nothing on the day.
- You do not always need imaging before your first appointment. Many consultants prefer to examine you first.
An orthopaedic consultation is your chance to have a specialist look at a bone, joint or musculoskeletal problem that has not got better. You may have been referred by your doctor, or you may be booking a private appointment yourself. Either way, a little preparation makes a big difference. This guide explains what to expect, what to bring and which questions are worth asking. If you are not sure whether you need a specialist at all, read our guide on when to see a specialist.
What happens at a first orthopaedic appointment?
A first orthopaedic appointment usually lasts 20 to 45 minutes and follows a clear pattern. The consultant will go through your history, examine the area that is troubling you, look at any scans or test results, and then talk about the options.
You will usually be asked to move the affected joint or to walk, so the consultant can see how your body works in real time. Wear clothes that make the area easy to reach. Loose trousers or shorts work well for a knee or hip appointment.
What should you bring to an orthopaedic consultation?
Bringing the right information saves time. It helps the consultant build a clearer picture from the start. Here is a practical checklist.
If you have had physiotherapy, injections or other treatments, note what helped and what did not. This tells the consultant what has already been ruled out, so nothing is repeated without need.
What questions should you ask an orthopaedic surgeon?
The most useful questions help you understand your diagnosis, your options and what happens next. Here are some worth thinking about.
- What is the most likely cause of my symptoms? Ask the consultant to explain in plain language.
- Do I need any more tests or imaging? Depending on your symptoms and findings, the consultant may want X-rays, an MRI, blood tests or standing whole-body imaging.
- What are my treatment options? Understand every path, from conservative treatment such as physiotherapy to surgery, if relevant.
- What happens if I do nothing? Some conditions are stable and can be monitored. Others get worse over time. It helps to know.
- What are the risks of each option? Every treatment has trade-offs. A good consultant will be open about them.
- How long is recovery likely to take? This affects your work, your daily life and your expectations.
- Should I get a second opinion? A confident surgeon will never discourage you from getting one.
Write your questions down beforehand. Appointments can feel rushed, and it is easy to forget things in the moment. If you can, bring someone with you to take notes while you listen.
Do you need imaging before an orthopaedic appointment?
Not always. Many consultants prefer to examine you first and then decide what imaging, if any, you need. Scans done before a clinical examination can sometimes show findings that look alarming on a report but are in fact normal for your age and unrelated to your pain.
Even so, in some situations having imaging ready does speed things up. If your doctor has already arranged X-rays, bring them. If you have lived with a long-standing back, hip or knee problem and want a clearer picture of your overall alignment, standing whole-body imaging can be especially useful. A standard X-ray is taken lying down. A standing scan captures your skeleton under load, showing how your posture, pelvis and limbs line up when gravity is acting on them. Learn more about ScanAlign, standing EOS imaging in London.
If you already have imaging and want to understand what your report means, our guide on how EOS scan results are reported explains the process.
A note on MRI. EOS imaging shows bones, joints and whole-body alignment in a standing position. For soft tissue, discs or nerve problems, MRI is usually the better tool. Your consultant will advise which type of imaging is right for you.
If your consultant has asked for standing alignment imaging, or you want to arrive with a clear picture of your whole-body posture, you can book imaging to take with you.
What should you do after your orthopaedic consultation?
Leave the appointment clear on three things: your working diagnosis, the next steps you have agreed, and when to follow up. If anything is unclear, ask before you leave. No question is silly when it is about your body.
At home, go over any notes you or the person with you took. If the consultant has suggested more imaging, physiotherapy or a surgical opinion, you will usually receive a letter summing up the plan. Keep it somewhere safe. It is useful if you see another clinician later.
Shared decision-making means you are an equal partner in the process. If you are unsure about a suggested treatment, it is completely reasonable to take time to think, do your own reading, or get a second opinion before you commit.
Before you start a treatment, or change the one you are on, it is worth getting a detailed diagnosis. Knowing whether the cause sits in the pelvis, the legs or the spine changes what will actually help.
Urgent symptoms
If at any point you develop sudden numbness, weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control, do not wait for a follow-up appointment. Contact your doctor or go to your nearest hospital emergency department straight away. These symptoms need urgent medical attention.
Frequently asked questions
Most private orthopaedic consultants will see you without a referral from your doctor. However, some insurers need one before they will cover you. If you are paying for yourself, you can usually book directly.
A first appointment usually lasts 20 to 45 minutes. Follow-up appointments are often shorter, around 15 to 20 minutes, because the background work has already been done.
Wear loose, comfortable clothes that make the affected area easy to reach. Shorts or loose trousers are ideal for knee and hip problems. You may be asked to change into a gown for a more detailed examination.
Not necessarily. Many consultants prefer to examine you first and then order imaging based on what they find. If you already have scans from earlier tests, bring them so nothing needs to be repeated.
Yes, and it is often a good idea. The person with you can help take notes, remember details you might miss, and support you when you discuss treatment options.
In the UK, an orthopaedic consultant is a fully trained specialist who has completed higher surgical training. They are qualified surgeons, but "consultant" refers to their seniority and role, not a separate profession. Not every consultation leads to surgery.
An EOS scan captures your whole body while you stand, showing how your bones and joints line up under your own weight. A standard X-ray is usually taken lying down and focuses on one area, which can miss alignment problems that only appear when standing. EOS also uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less.
Sometimes. If the clinical picture is clear, the consultant may give you a working diagnosis straight away. In other cases, they may need more imaging or tests before confirming what is going on.
If you are unsure about a diagnosis or a suggested treatment, a second opinion is always reasonable. A good consultant will support your decision to get one. Bring copies of all your results and notes to the second appointment.
Consultation fees vary with the consultant, the hospital and how complex the appointment is. ScanAlign provides diagnostic imaging, not orthopaedic consultations. For patients travelling from abroad, the price of imaging is confirmed during the free video consultation.
Want to arrive with a clear picture?
A free video consultation with our radiographer can help you understand whether standing alignment imaging would be useful before or after your orthopaedic appointment.
Book a free video consultationWritten by Abbas Dhami (Specialist Diagnostic Radiographer)
Sources
- NHS. "Orthopaedic surgery." Overview of orthopaedic services and what to expect. nhs.uk
- British Orthopaedic Association. "Patient information: preparing for your consultation." boa.ac.uk
- General Medical Council. "Decision making and consent." Guidance on shared decision-making between doctors and patients. gmc-uk.org, 2020.
This page is general information and not a diagnosis.
ScanAlign is the trading name of CoreMed Solutions Ltd and operates under The Harley Street Hospital's CQC licence.